Helena's Makeover

shreddy bender said:

Howdy! So several years ago I decided to make a pick guard out of an old LP for my 2003 Faded Helena. At the time I had some Dirty Fingers pickups and thought I would try them out.
Well the pick guard I made many years ago was showing its age so I figured I'd make a new one.
Here's the old one.View attachment 57687
I think it was time!
I have access to fiberglass and resin at work so I decided to back the "new" LP in a layer of mat to reinforce it.
It warped a bit because I cured it in the sun. No big deal the screws hold it down just fine.View attachment 57689
I traced out my Gibson guard and went to town with my Dremel, diamond saw, step drill and sandpaper. It's not perfect but neither am I!View attachment 57691
View attachment 57693
It also needed a new switch as 22 odd years of hard use took its toll.
I figured since I had it apart I would put the original 490 back in the bridge and the P-94 I have in the neck. I needed to extend the leads on the P-94 but I got it together and it works!
I also decided to do a fret level and recrown. View attachment 57695
View attachment 57697
I gave her a full deep clean and polish and got it back together today. Yay! Helena is back!

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shreddy bender said:

And here she is!View attachment 57699View attachment 57701View attachment 57703
The fret work was much needed. She plays WAY nicer now.

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thatbastarddon said:

Frikken amazeballs!!! A Smurf album no less! Smashing!!!

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RGX_Custom said:

Looks great...but how can you destroy a Smurfs sing-a-long album? It's a travesty!

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shreddy bender said:

It was for the greater good. It was that one or this one!View attachment 57707

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Gary Gretsch said:

That one is worth the big bucks.

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smitty_p said:

As always, nice job, Shreddy!

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Col Mustard said:

totally unique! I've always liked the comments and pix you have of your
faded SG special. Helena always makes me think:
"Where are we going, and why are we in this hand basket?"

And I am more interested in your pickup choices and how they sound
to you now. Do I understand that you had Dirty Fingers in Helena before
the takedown? And now you have the P-94 neck and 490T bridge?
I'd like to read a report sir! Or listen to a sample.

That's a very interesting (and unique) combination for tone IMHO.

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shreddy bender said:

I always liked the 490's but I had P-94 floating around so again I thought "why not".
The P-94 makes a fantastic neck pickup!
It's got that Soapbar throatiness and sounds dynamic and full when played clean. Combined with the humbucker it really honks in the middle position.

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thatbastarddon said:

I hear that!
View attachment 57733
Though neither pickup is the exact model that you mention, they are ballpark…maybe a bit hotter wound. I love the combination of pickup types.

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shreddy bender said:

That just looks mean and nasty!
Awesome!

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