Customizing an RG-7 (ideas + pics are welcome)

T-MU · #1 06-07-2003, 08:10 AM

Hi!
I'm getting a RG1527 in couple of weeks, and I'm thinking of couple of mods to it. Has anyone tried putting in a single coil in the middle and has anyone put in a UV-mirror pickguard? If someone has done this, I would like to see some pics and read some comments.
Any other pics of customized RG-7's are welcome, I need some inspiration!
And what do you think is the best way getting great stratocaster-like tones out of RG7? I love the splitted hum+single coil tones of Jems and RG's, and wish to get those tones from my upcoming RG1527 too.

Thanks.

Drew · #2 06-07-2003, 12:51 PM

The stock pickup modes will probably be fine for what you're looking to do.

I once saw a used metallic navy 7620 with a sloppily applied mirror guard. It actually looked kind of cool, but I'd STRONGLY recommend going from body mounted to pickguard mounted pickups if you do this- it's a simple matter of different screws and some little springs, the guys at your shop can probably help you out.

Other thoughts- new pikcups are a must. How about a custom inlay from LGM? Or maybe a new body in a different wood from EKG?

-Drew

T-MU · #3 06-07-2003, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew

I once saw a used metallic navy 7620 with a sloppily applied mirror guard. It actually looked kind of cool, but I'd STRONGLY recommend going from body mounted to pickguard mounted pickups if you do this- it's a simple matter of different screws and some little springs, the guys at your shop can probably help you out.

Other thoughts- new pikcups are a must. How about a custom inlay from LGM? Or maybe a new body in a different wood from EKG?

The european version of 1527 is black, so I think I could kinda turn it to a "poor man's uv777bk" with the mirror pickguard and a single coil.
I'm not sure about changing the stock pickups, because i've heard they're OK, and after all I'm not yet 100% sure how I want my sound. I only know I need those stratty tones and the mandatory metal crunch tone + jazzy neck-pickup tone. I quess the stock pups will do the trick, or do I really need to change the pups?

Custom inlays would be really cool, but it would be far too expensive for me.

steve · #4 06-07-2003, 06:27 PM

The wiring should feature the special 5-way that gives the inside coils of the two humbuckers in position 4 (right before the bridge-pickup-only setting) and the neck humbucker coils in parallel in position 2 - these along with the full-on humbucker sounds will probably fit the bill for your Strat-like tones and such...

Drew · #5 06-08-2003, 11:48 AM

Yeah, take a look at the stock 5-way wiring diagram, it'll get you covered. In particular, position 4 nails that in-between strat tone (well, body wood aside, anyway), but also doubles as an amazingly articulate heavy rhythm tone through some sort of mesa-like distortion- it's basically the middle position on Petrucci's custom guitars that he's so famous for, the two inside coils of the two humbuckers running together. Powerful, but SO tight.

I'd pass on the single-coil myself, if just for the routing. A mirrored pickguard will probably set you back about $50, and it's a simple matter of screwing it into the face of the guitar.

-D

Drew · #6 06-08-2003, 11:49 AM

Yeah, take a look at the stock 5-way wiring diagram, it'll get you covered. In particular, position 4 nails that in-between strat tone (well, body wood aside, anyway), but also doubles as an amazingly articulate heavy rhythm tone through some sort of mesa-like distortion- it's basically the middle position on Petrucci's custom guitars that he's so famous for, the two inside coils of the two humbuckers running together. Powerful, but SO tight.

I'd pass on the single-coil myself, if just for the routing. A mirrored pickguard will probably set you back about $50, and it's a simple matter of screwing it into the face of the guitar.

-D