It’s always a gamble, buying a neck, online site unseen. Found this one on eBay, paid way too much. She arrived in pretty good shape. First thing was to knock the clear off of the back of the wizard neck and then sand down the headstock.
Kendall’s RG550 build
Howdy gang.
* Disclaimer. I am in no way a luthier or a guitar builder.*
I wanted to show you guys a little project that I’ve been working on. An RG550 with a single Humbucker.
Basswood body and plastics by Perle.
97 rosewood AANJ neck.
New original Edge in Cosmo.
Pariah Pasadena humbucker.
EVH 250k low friction pot.
Color scheme is from the Chevrolet catalog 1957. Skyline blue. White plastics,
Cosmo/black hardware.
Here’s how she started.
* Disclaimer. I am in no way a luthier or a guitar builder.*
I wanted to show you guys a little project that I’ve been working on. An RG550 with a single Humbucker.
Basswood body and plastics by Perle.
97 rosewood AANJ neck.
New original Edge in Cosmo.
Pariah Pasadena humbucker.
EVH 250k low friction pot.
Color scheme is from the Chevrolet catalog 1957. Skyline blue. White plastics,
Cosmo/black hardware.
Here’s how she started.
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1 - 17 of 17 Posts
Finally got the color coat down. Waited on the water slide to arrive before clear coat. Logo came out… ok. I guess. It was a toss up between black or white. I went with white because the truss rod cover is white. Could have been a little brighter.
Clear coat is baking as I’m typing.
Clear coat is baking as I’m typing.
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Making progress. Wet sanded. 1500 grit then 2000. Three passes with 3M cutting compound. Then 3m polishing compound. Finished with a good ‘ol coat of Turtle wax. I cut through the clear and the paint layer in two spots. Oh well, call it relic’d. Neck back on. Check it out, you can see Steph Curry’s face in the reflection.
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Thanks! I had a custom mini truck in 2013 painted the same scheme.
Mock up time!! Aligned and drilled the pick guard screws prior to paint. Fits good. Soldered the guts up tonight but alas, ****ed by EVH again. 😝
I’m trying his 250k pot for volume. I ordered the high friction EVH split shaft but it was waaaayyy too stiff. Bought the low friction. It’s a solid shaft and top hats won’t fit on it. ARGH!!! Blew out my only black knob trying to drill it out. Fender 250k and knob are in the mail.
She’s getting there.
Mock up time!! Aligned and drilled the pick guard screws prior to paint. Fits good. Soldered the guts up tonight but alas, ****ed by EVH again. 😝
I’m trying his 250k pot for volume. I ordered the high friction EVH split shaft but it was waaaayyy too stiff. Bought the low friction. It’s a solid shaft and top hats won’t fit on it. ARGH!!! Blew out my only black knob trying to drill it out. Fender 250k and knob are in the mail.
She’s getting there.
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Yeah, you’re right. Just cuz Ed used a 250k pot (allegedly) doesn’t mean it’s right. I dug out an ancient 500k Gibson I have and used that instead.
Well she’s done. Sounds good and plays well. What an experience. I thought I could just bolt a bunch of crap together and be ripping 32nd notes over night. Nope.
Put it together and took it apart probably 12 times.
A couple of notes to self…
1) Read the directions.
2) Barrel jack nut goes on BEFORE you solder.
3) Plan on buying two of almost everything.
4) Use 22 gauge wire. 18 is too big.
5) Don’t use a hammer.
I tapped the low E trem socket a little too hard trying to get it to seat. Split the body. Glue and a screw saved me.
A shout out to Ibanezrules.com for all of the setup info. Went through the whole thing minus intonation.
Neck alignment, relief and string height check. Bridge leveled check.
Brass trem claw is an experiment. It’s been fun but I’m going to let my wallet rest for a while. Enjoy the pics.
Kendall
Well she’s done. Sounds good and plays well. What an experience. I thought I could just bolt a bunch of crap together and be ripping 32nd notes over night. Nope.
Put it together and took it apart probably 12 times.
A couple of notes to self…
1) Read the directions.
2) Barrel jack nut goes on BEFORE you solder.
3) Plan on buying two of almost everything.
4) Use 22 gauge wire. 18 is too big.
5) Don’t use a hammer.
I tapped the low E trem socket a little too hard trying to get it to seat. Split the body. Glue and a screw saved me.
A shout out to Ibanezrules.com for all of the setup info. Went through the whole thing minus intonation.
Neck alignment, relief and string height check. Bridge leveled check.
Brass trem claw is an experiment. It’s been fun but I’m going to let my wallet rest for a while. Enjoy the pics.
Kendall
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1 - 17 of 17 Posts
