A new Javamagic project - or two.

I agree about the Ibanez (and similar) guitars geared toward the metal-crowd lately, although I had some fondness for an RG 7621 about 12 years ago.....but I do resemble the comment after that LOL
But, the older I get, the more I don't like black paintjobs on certain guitars, except my Dearmond M-66. Still have a fetish for black chrome hardware though.
Beautiful workmanship on those Rick-style guitars guys

 

Sure thing…….

This is the 12 string build..
Attempting A 12 String Build - Telecaster Guitar Forum

This is the bass build
Making a Bass - Telecaster Guitar Forum

I did not have a build thread for the 325 isn guitar but here are some pics I took along the way...

 

Thanks for the links and photos, but I think he wanted you to start a thread. I'd love to see it. We're not SG snobs here, and any crafty mutilation of hardwoods are appreciated in any form, anytime.

 

Did a bit of work on the little one today, rubbing it down and polishing. Not as good as I'd hoped for (those aerosols just put the lacquer on too thin) but I'm going to put it all together and see what the "customer" reckons. Here's how it looks at the moment. Tomorrow I shall do the wiring. :)



At some point I'm just going to have to spend some money and buy a compressor and spray gun.

 

I like it! What material did you use for the pick guard and truss cover?

 

Acrylic sheet. Just sprayed it gold on the back.

 

Excellent.im amazed at what gets built on this forum. Some really talented folks i tell ya.love those Rics Javamagic

 

That's what I thought…… I plan on doing that same thing on a tele-ric mashup I'm building now.

 

Brew just posted a photo at F-B. Can I assume the 325 is done, and he likes it? Got any close up photos of the finished guitar, and how's the other one coming along?

 

Well, he's not got it yet but he likes the look of it.



Tuners: Gotoh open back (like Grover Sta-Tite).
Pickups: Kent Armstrong toaster tops.
Electronics: CTS pots, Switchcraft switch and socket, Mallory caps.
Bridge: Allparts Rick type.
Tailpiece: Bigsby style (possible Gibson version).
Knobs: Rose-Morris style.

Needs a bit of fret work and setting up but it's in one piece.The (genuine Bigsby) spring I fitted in the vibrato is really too long and pushes the arm mount up too far! It will all get sorted out. :)

The Capri 360 is held up while my friend who's making the tailpiece is on holiday. When he gets back and finishes it I then have to get it plated.

 

Looks the bee's knees. Was it easy to find those Kent Armstrong "Toasters?" I'm trying to find a set over here for one of my 330's. Maybe a second set for when I get around to building my 331.

 

They're listed on WD's UK site.

Kent Armstrong P-90 & Family

I had a look and search on the US site and couldn't find them. If you want some let me know. :)

 

….. and here is the self same Javamagic "315" - in all its glory.



And with a few "relations"…



I've had it for months now, and I cannot put it down. It's a little beauty of a guitar.

Thanks JM

 

It's official! It's made it to the Blue Bed Sheet status.

 

ha ha ha Yeah, John….. "the mark of a keeper"

(makes mental note to buy a new backdrop…)

 

Glad you're happy with it Brew. Now what about the new avatar pic? A John Lennon pose perhaps?

 

A few pics of the Capri. Nearly finished, just waiting for a tailpiece now.

The wiring is the same as the 315 and the turquoise-glo Capri 12-string. Switchcraft toggle and socket, CTS pots, Mallory caps.



The pickups (Kent Armstrong toaster tops) are fitted on grommets. The metal bridge base has the ground wire trapped underneath.



The same grommets are used in pairs under the raised section of the pickguard.



Hopefully the next instalment will show the finished article.

 

Please let me know your honest opinion of the Toaster Tops. I may want a set when I visit again.

I love the burst on this. What are you getting made for tail pieces? J, B, or K instead of the R?

 

For an opinion on the toaster-tops you should ask Brew. He's had the 315 for a good few months now, plus he has a vintage 450/12 fitted with real ones as a comparison.

Tailpiece? Just the Ric vintage style. It's two bits of flat metal cut out and drilled. Then one is bent to form the hooks. Rick dealers want about £90 for the set which, as usual for Rick spares, is outrageous (I've seen someone asking about £7 just for a set of pickup grommets! ). Even with the cost of getting the bits chrome plated I think I'll be in pocket. Also, the same pattern is used on both 6 and 12 string guitars.

 

News!!!!
The tailpieces for this and the 12-string arrived a few weeks back and then got sent off for chrome plating. This is them in their raw state. Nice job Tim.



After returning from the platers I got on and strung up the 6-string Capri. This was pretty straightforward: a few of the frets needed levelling off and the nut slotted but it went together well. I had it done in time to take it out to the jam on Tuesday and can report that it played well, sounded great and got some comments of admiration. Who else is going to turn up with one of these amongst the forest of Strats?