Routing A Maple Lado Earth

Big Red · #1 10-13-2007, 12:11 AM

Hi Folks,

I've had my Lado Earth for about 6 months now...I love the guitar...hate the pickups. They are Duncan JB's that were factory installed before I bought the guitar, and they lack the power and tonal qualities that I am looking for.

Anyways, I posted here a few months ago explaining that I bought Dimarzio's for it. But, when I took out the Duncan's, I noticed that their plate-bases were grinded down on the corners so that they would fit in the cavity. The Dimarzio's wouldn't fit.

I'm now good and fed-up with the Duncan's tone, especially since I bought a Peavey Valve King a month ago. Anyways, how difficult is it to route maplewood? Isn't the hardest/densest in comparison to the more common tonewoods? Is it as easy as running to Sears, buying a common grinder, and then getting to work on it? Any tips? Thanks in advance.

Cheers

Big Red · #2 10-14-2007, 01:12 AM

**Sigh**

Can anyone at least recommend to me a proper tool to route with?

Thnaks

Distantshore · #3 10-14-2007, 01:19 AM

Sorry I don't have any experience routing, but I'm sure if you give this thread another day, you'll get some good responses.

**elcid** · #4 10-14-2007, 01:55 AM

Dremel tool

jazzedout · #5 10-14-2007, 05:11 AM

Is it not possible to trim the edges of the Dimarzio pups, so they fit the guitar? If something goes wrong it is much easier to buy a new pick up than a new guitar...

AirGuitar · #6 10-14-2007, 09:06 AM

I agree with jazzedout, it's worth a try. I know Carvin guitars also have smaller pickups, but I've heard of many people who've just trimemd down the Dimarzio's to fit in there.

What's better, making a cosmetic mess of a pickup, or completely wrecking the front finish of your guitar?

Big Red · #7 10-14-2007, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirGuitar

What's better, making a cosmetic mess of a pickup, or completely wrecking the front finish of your guitar?

I was beginning to think along those lines as well, I just wanted to hear some opinions first.

Thanks for the feedback everyone, and sorry for being impatient.....this problem has been nothing but frustrating.

Cheers

**jim777** · #8 10-14-2007, 04:51 PM

The last DiMarzio I bought (a Blaze Custom) had a plastic bottom. That's how you get them into Carvin 7's, you just dremel down the plastic plates. It shouldn't be a problem to do on your DiMarzios.

Since I have the camera out anyway, here's a pic:

Distantshore · #9 10-14-2007, 05:52 PM

Nice plug of the Jemsite pick too!

Big Red · #10 10-14-2007, 06:18 PM

But how easy is it to "dremel" a metal base? What is the base made out of anyways? Can I assume it's normal steel (galvanized or otherwise)? I want to make sure I get the right rotary-bit to do this.

Thanks

velocity · #11 10-14-2007, 06:21 PM

just be careful. use a clamp if possible. imagine the dremel trying to whip the pickup across the room, not pretty. and it shouldn't be too hard with a dremel. i am using mine to rework the hood on my '78 cutlass, so if it can handle that...

Big Red · #12 10-14-2007, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by velocity

just be careful. use a clamp if possible. imagine the dremel trying to whip the pickup across the room, not pretty. and it shouldn't be too hard with a dremel. i am using mine to rework the hood on my '78 cutlass, so if it can handle that...

Thanks. Has your dremel whipped your cutlass across the room yet? LOL

Big Red · #13 10-14-2007, 10:50 PM

Well, I clipped off the edges of the pick-up bases with a strong metal-cutter, and they now fit. Sorry about all of the drama....sheesh. At least I saved some money.

Anyways, out went the Duncan JB's. And in went a Dimarzio Super 3 (bridge)/ PAF-Pro (neck) combination. All I can say is WOW, these pups really opened up the tone of this thing. It's got everything now; power, clarity, smooth highs, tight lows, sustain, warmth, and tone that will properly do close to the Maiden tone (it should, since it's a Lado Earth). It now sounds like a proper high-end guitar.

Cheers and thanks for the help.

gpenguins · #14 10-14-2007, 11:07 PM

I'm glad everything worked out, I'd have hated to see you take a chance on hurting that guitar, that is absolutely beautiful, and I've been lusting after one since you posted yours. Hopefully he'll still have those prices in February when I get my yearly bonus.

Big Red · #15 10-14-2007, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpenguins

I'm glad everything worked out, I'd have hated to see you take a chance on hurting that guitar, that is absolutely beautiful, and I've been lusting after one since you posted yours. Hopefully he'll still have those prices in February when I get my yearly bonus.

Thanks. I think the sale ends this December, or until his stock is sold.

http://www.lado-guitars.com/anniversary_sale.pdf