Trying to pimp my 555 - Page 2

reece31 · #16 04-28-2010, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsv555

Have you actually put any money down on a product or service? I found Ernie responds much quicker when you have money already invested-LOL!!! I also had a period of time where Ernie wouldn't answer emails. I then sent a stronger worded email to get his attention and reminded him that I had a bit of cash invested with him and expected better treatment and to his credit, he improved his communications with me.

no money flow yet.... thank god. I just want to buy a neck but it seems that this guy either is totally unreliable or he just does not need my cash

jsv555 · #17 05-14-2010, 08:56 AM

Almost there! I have all the parts, just need to assemble it. Less than thrilled with the paint job- it's the weak link in this project but for now, it'll do. Am thinking about getting a custom painted alder body since the paint job on the original is so bad.

This would then mean that there is nothing original left on the final product.

Hind sight being 20-20, might have been better to just start from scratch in the first place. But sometimes it's the journey and not the destination that brings us the most satisfaction. And if this plays half as well as I think it will, I'll have the satisfaction of knowing that it's one-of-a-kind and a great playing/sounding project.

rob777vdy · #18 05-14-2010, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsv555

Almost there! I have all the parts, just need to assemble it. Less than thrilled with the paint job- it's the weak link in this project but for now, it'll do. Am thinking about getting a custom painted alder body since the paint job on the original is so bad.

This would then mean that there is nothing original left on the final product.

Hind sight being 20-20, might have been better to just start from scratch in the first place. But sometimes it's the journey and not the destination that brings us the most satisfaction. And if this plays half as well as I think it will, I'll have the satisfaction of knowing that it's one-of-a-kind and a great playing/sounding project.

hey thats looks real awsome.well done mate excellent job

masterdebradwick · #19 05-15-2010, 01:06 AM

That looks so awesome dude! Way to go!

jsv555 · #20 09-04-2010, 10:07 PM

Latest update- the work continues. I had to send back the neck to Ernie because of some fret issues and he has effected the required repairs/mods. The neck is now back in my hands but much to my chagrin, the pups in the wired pickguard don't really line up with the routed cavities for the pups. It seems as though the whole pickguard is laid out a little differently from the body routs. It fits but not very well. Kinda had to shoe horn it in. This is not acceptable. So, I'm contemplating two remedies: 1) scrapping the body. I mean it is basswood after all. Thinking of buying an alder or ash body with the top rout cavity and getting it custom painted with either a swirl or a copy of my design. 2) routing the existing body to accept the current pickguard/pup configuration. I would then repaint the existing body again. Either way, we're looking at a few weeks at best and a half year at worst to finally get this up and running as it should. When all is siad and done, I might have saved a few dollars and some months of wait if I had bought a higher end JEM to start with. Granted, there are none out there like mine and after all, that is what I was aiming for, right?

AlaskaBat · #21 09-05-2010, 02:12 AM

Well, bro--I think it looks great! If the biggest issue is the pickguard no lining up right, just rout the space you need. The guard will cover it anyway.

jbouxa · #22 09-06-2010, 12:50 AM

you can always go with a gotoh

jsv555 · #23 03-01-2011, 11:53 AM

A LONG time coming but it is complete. After several years of work and lots o cash, I got me a custom JEM. She plays great, sounds pretty damned good and IMO, looks pretty unique. Great stage guitar.

therightjem · #24 03-01-2011, 12:06 PM

Looks good, very nice job!

RGTFanatic · #25 03-01-2011, 12:25 PM

I'm sorry to say that this is the first time I've seen your thread. You've truly done an excellent job!!! You made a statement earlier about the journey being more important than the destination. I couldn't agree more.

Your Jem turned out beautiful. I would be very proud to own one just like it.

Pezz · #26 03-01-2011, 12:51 PM

Looks good to me. Congrats and well done!

AlaskaBat · #27 03-01-2011, 01:42 PM

'Bout time, dude! I remember watching the progress a year ago. I love the way it turned out--still dig that reversed headstock.

manybrands · #28 03-01-2011, 02:40 PM

'Bout time, dude! I remember watching the progress a year ago. I love the way it turned out--still dig that reversed headstock.

Nickelo · #29 03-01-2011, 09:21 PM

Well done! I, too, have been following the progress. It truly is a unique axe. BTW, what did you wind up doing, in the end, in terms of the body? Did you repaint? Did you go for another wood?