How do I get a sustainer installed in my XL??? - Any special

Spiral Acid · #1 04-22-2002, 02:54 PM

I've had the 1077XL for about a year now, and I'm really thinking of modding it... Adding a Sustainer will make this guitar one killer axe... But I'm afraid to have holes drilled into it, and such, because it's still a beaut to me, I can't bear to risk any damage. Here's what I wanna do:

Neck: Fernandes Sustainer 7
Middle: DiMarzio New7 Single
Bridge: Evo 7

What kinda extra routing needs to be done???

butch · #2 04-22-2002, 03:22 PM

Two holes on the top for the switching, a new knob for the sustainer volume (unless you can live without your tone knob). You will also have to rout out about another two inches or so for the circuit board and 9v battery. Fernandes does include a routing template for the job.
As far as I know, Sustainiac is the same type installation.

Cheers,
Butch

Two hands31 · #3 04-22-2002, 05:31 PM

If you can live without the tone knob, you don't need any surface changes done at all. *Possibly some routing for the electonics/battery. *All you have to do is rig it up as push/pull pots: *Vol. as the on/off, sustainer level knob as the mode switch (normal/harmonic). *Unless you also want mix mode, then you might as well go with the numerous switches. *:biggrin:

darren wilson · #4 04-22-2002, 08:28 PM

I'd recommend the Sustainiac Stealth Plus over the Fernandes. Go to Sustainiac's site and you'll learn all about it.

I don't think the Fernandes Sustainer is available as an aftermarket part in the 7-string version. I believe the Fernandes also has a much larger circuit board than the Sustainiac version, and would require routing. Depending on the size of the cavity in the back of the 1077XL, you may have to rout for a battery compartment.

As Two hands31 mentioned, whether you need more switches and/or knobs on the face of your guitar depends on the controls you want. I'm installing a Sustainiac Stealth Plus on a project guitar, and i'm using a push/pull pot on the volume control for the on/off switch, and a second push/pull on the tone control for fundamental/harmonic mode. If you have a third potentiometer or mini-toggles, more options are possible.

If you're changing the pickups as well, all white pickups would look sweet in the 1077XL.

(Edited by darren wilson at 7:37 pm on April 22, 2002)

bob oakman · #5 04-23-2002, 02:49 PM

Good idea on the push/pull pots Darren. I'll have to look into that... and loosing the tone pot wouldn't bother me at all.

Soup Kitchen Studios · #6 04-23-2002, 05:22 PM

Found this on the Sustainiac site:
NOTE: We only make single-coil size drivers for 7-string guitar. We do not make humbucker-size 7-string drivers.

That means an Ugly pick-gaurd, ugh.

Two hands31 · #7 04-23-2002, 07:22 PM

Quote:

DaveSwift on 4:22 pm on April 23, 2002
Found this on the Sustainiac site:
NOTE: We only make single-coil size drivers for 7-string guitar. We do not make humbucker-size 7-string drivers.

That means an Ugly pick-gaurd, ugh.

Or some creativity. *

darren wilson · #8 04-23-2002, 09:06 PM

Quote:

DaveSwift on 4:22 pm on April 23, 2002
Found this on the Sustainiac site:
NOTE: We only make single-coil size drivers for 7-string guitar. We do not make humbucker-size 7-string drivers.

That means an Ugly pick-gaurd, ugh.

I'd call or write the guys at Sustainiac first. Alan Hoover was extremely helpful in getting me set up with the right model and all the right switching and electronics to meet my needs.

What i'd do is lop off one of the coils and remove the magnet from your 1077's neck-position humbucker, and mount the Sustainiac driver on the plate next to the other dummy coil. But check with them to see if this would work, and/or if there are any other options.

Soup Kitchen Studios · #9 04-23-2002, 10:14 PM

Actually I emailed them about this about 6 months ago... back then it didn't sound like there were any alternatives other than having a pickgaurd or a big old space. *He said they only make a single coil verision because they are a very small operation and don't have the demand for much 7 string stuff.

IMO, that's a mistake since about 90% of 7 strings on the market have humbuckers in the neck. *I may just pick up one of the fernandez 7's instead.

(Edited by DaveSwift at 9:14 pm on April 23, 2002)

Two hands31 · #10 04-23-2002, 10:59 PM

Fernandes does NOT make 7-string sustainer kits. *Only 7-string guitars EQUIPPED with sustainers. *And their system requires more routing, and does not allow custom set-ups. *You are required to add the little switches, etc, and the big bulky circuit board. *I say find a 7-string single coil/single coil sized humbucker pickup to stick in there next to it or just a fake pickup that looks real. *

Soup Kitchen Studios · #11 04-23-2002, 11:50 PM

That's why i said I'd buy a Fernandes 7... not a sustainer from Fernandes :read:

(Edited by DaveSwift at 10:51 pm on April 23, 2002)

Spiral Acid · #12 04-24-2002, 03:02 AM

Quote:

DaveSwift on 4:22 pm on April 23, 2002
Found this on the Sustainiac site:
NOTE: We only make single-coil size drivers for 7-string guitar. We do not make humbucker-size 7-string drivers.

That means an Ugly pick-gaurd, ugh.

Not really. They make single coil drivers WITH a dummy cover for the humbucker...

darren wilson · #13 04-24-2002, 12:18 PM

Read the quote again, Spiral Acid. They don't make humbucker-sized 7-string drivers. (which means they don't mount their driver on a humbucker-sized plate with a dummy coil)

Spiral Acid · #14 04-25-2002, 12:01 AM

Geez... If that's the case, then I'd rather buy a Fernandes Revolver 7... Less hassle...