multiple questions

[LeDbOx]

hey everyone ive got a bunch of questions for ya.

1. When it comes to the build/electronics of guitars im definatley a minimalist. Right now I have an Ibanez SA series guitar that i got for free. When I got the guitar it was just a neck body and bridge. I striped the bridge pickup and electronics out of my BC Rich Warlock and basically transfered them over by desodering and resodering the same configuration....so i have a 3 way switch and some other componets loose and floating around in my guitar, Id really like to fix that. Im gonna buy a new brige pickup and when I install it id want the simplest config possible just one volume knob or one on/off switch. Im fairly ignorant with electronics, but if someone could direct me to a simple noob wiring diagram for that config or explain it to me i would be very grateful. Im considering an emg but i know they are different that the average passive humbucker:confused:.

2. Also, when i got that guitar it didnt have any of the plastic backs so ive been using duck tape to hold all its guts in. Rather than ordering new backs (and waiting 4 months for ibanez to ship them) id like to make my own. What type of material can i pickup at like home depot or lowes? because of how thin this wood is going to have to be im seriously worried about its strength, the last thing i need is to drop this thing at a gig and have all its guts ripped out!:eek: so any suggestions on strong woods or durable materials would be appreciated.

3. Continuing my mascistic journey with guitars im getting an Ibanez RG guitar that has been abused and painted a blue sparkle that is ugly as sin. Im going to sand it down and stain the wood and i have 3 questions. I want to use a VERY dark wood stain on this guitar will this help hide or bring out defects in the wood/ marks from staining or sanding the wood? The other question is Id like to only install a bridge pickup but that leaves a hole in the neck position. Is there any way to fill that gap and make it unnoticeable, like without an insane ammount of wood work? FINALLY is it necessary to spray poly on to get a good finish or can you just brush it on like you do in furniture (im assuming of course that i will have to do some very fine sanding/polishing)

OK! I know that was like 3 posts worth of questions but ive never done some of this stuff before and I really need some advice. Thanx everyone!

[Spazzout22]

Well, I'm not really sure about question 1. But you can find wiring diagrams on EMG's website for all their pickups before you buy them, so that should be something.

2. Plywood is pretty strong. I've got a maple back on mine and it's been fine. Then again, I would be aghast if I dropped my baby. You could also prolly just buy a thin piece of plastic or something. Maybe a clear colored lexan back would be cool.

3. I suppose that once you sand it down you can see the color of the wood. If you cut out a piece of wood that fills the hole, and glue it in with titebond mixed with the sawdust of the body. Although, if you're planning on staining instead of painting, it'll show a LOT more than if you painted.

Also, it's way better to spray on poly than brushing it on. Check out stu-mac for a nice article on it.

[Jake=Suck]

you can order the plastic materials for the backs from warmoth.
http://www.warmoth.com/pickguards/pickguards.cfm?fuseaction=pickgaurds_g_material

im pretty sure that its the same material.

[Edwardthegreat5]

1. Here's a diagram for one humbucker and a single volume, it you wanted to do a switch instead, it would be pretty much the same or similar, but I suggest the volume, as it allows more control and crap.

http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/schematics/1hum_1vol.html

B. EMGs are different than active pups, but if you need a diagram, you can find one on the EMG website, active pups tend to have higher output and better for hi-gain stuff. I've never installed EMGs, but i think that all you have to do it snap the wires in place with them, but I'm not sure.

2. You can make some cavity cover with some plastic, and scissors http://www.projectguitar.com has a great tutorial on it, all you need is a rubbermaid plastic waste bin, which are pretty cheap.

http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/cavcv.htm

3. Well, first of all I'm not sure if it'll hide any defects, but ebony is a really dark stain, I recommend that, but it shouldn't have any defects as long as you take your time while sanding and do a good job.

B. You would need to fill in the neck cavity with some epoxy or something like that, I'm not entirely sure, but I think there is a tutorial somewhere in Project Guitar, you would have to sand it down, and refinish, it would make a clear finish, or stain like what you want not very desirable, is suggest just getting a dummy pup and screwing it in the cavity and not wire it to anything, like EVHs frankestrat.

C. I wouldn't suggest brushing poly on, and I don't know why you would, its much easier to spray it on, and a few cans of poly isn't that expensive, i say just spraying it on, it's easier and neater, and probably won't have to do as much sanding.

damn, that was a long type, you better find this info helpful :p

[LeDbOx]

Thanx for all the advice guys. I decided to go with a seymor duncan JB pickup (I love it soooooo much more than any emg ive played) and i used clear plexi glass like material for the backs. They turned out really nice and fit well, but im not totally convinced that they will permenantly stand up to the rigors of giging. Ive already caused a very small crack by screwing one of the screws too tight. Here is a pic of the finised product

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=33607223&albumID=1009961&imageID=16149466

As for the RG guitar ill have to see what the wood is like to make a decision. I guess ill have to just put some old pick up in that slot and not hook it up or something because all of the guides about pluging holes that ive seen are assuming that your painting it.

P.S. i got my wiring diagrams from www.guitarelectronics.com they were super easy to follow.:thumb:

[Edwardthegreat5]

The plexiglass should hold up fine, think about it, the regular covers are made of nearly the same material, it'll work fine, as long as your set doesn't consist of you hitting the covers with a hammer.



And seriously, why not just wire the neck pickup, it'll make the guitar that much more versatile and better sounding, it's not like you're doing something like this.

http://i6.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/9c/01/b368_10.JPG

Seriously, justget a neck pup, wiring is not as hard as you think, just practice a bit, you'll get it.

[Mr. Tamzarian]

http://i6.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/9c/01/b368_10.JPG

.

Ye gods, what the devil is that contraption?

[Edwardthegreat5]

Ye gods, what the devil is that contraption?
Its really gnarly, thats what it is


http://stores.ebay.com.au/Guitar-Easy/Custom-Guitars.html

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=576206

Those should explain

[Flex of the Yellow]

Its really gnarly, thats what it is


http://stores.ebay.com.au/Guitar-Easy/Custom-Guitars.html

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=576206

Those should explain

I'm struggling to decide whether that is the coolest thing in the universe, or just damn nasty and pointless.

So far "coolest" is winning