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]-[@n$0Ma☩!©
Zombie Zero, DFZ
- Joined
- Aug 1, 1985
- Messages
- 7,325
Just shy of 3 years ago, I got my hands on a very rare set of pickups; 4-lead 57/08's with zebra squabbins. Shawn and I spent time discussing what I was going to do with them. Pickups like this can't be randomly tossed into any old guitar. No sir.
After a few weeks, I told Shawn they needed to go into an SE Custom Semi-Hollow with Bigsby. I even photoshopped a mock-up whilst working-out details with Sergio. Shawn laughed and asked why I'd put a set of 'Hen's Teeth' into an SE. I am hoping this thread answers that question.
In the years that followed, those pickups sat in their boxes while I hunted the guitar; which turned-out to be a lot harder than I thought. While I would have settled for a black SE Custom SH Bigsby (they look like a million bucks), the maple-top version of this model was my first choice and I am thrilled to finally have one. I am as excited about this guitar as any other in my house. SE haters can suck it.
The first thing I did was play the guitar to get a baseline. Then I wrote down the things I wanted to tweak and ordered some parts.
First thing ordered was a proper set of knobs. I have quite a few options in my parts drawer but none of them were quite right. In the end, these ebony and faux ivory knobs from Crazy Parts did the trick. I love how they sustain the white-binding motif and the ebony matches the fretboard perfectly. Also, they are made here in Germany so delivery was fast. I did have to etch some texture into the tone knob though. It was too slick for push/pull duties.
Next, I ordered an ABM 2400n bridge with brass rollers from Thomann. Here it is (right) with the stock SE bridge (left). I added a few kinks to the threads of the bridge posts before installation. They were perfectly snug for better transfer of energy.
Then it was time to disassemble the guitar and start the real work. The factory shielding was quite thin so I added another coat. I also ensured the back plate was shielded. Then all shielding was properly grounded.
I replaced the stock volume pot with a 500k SuperPot and added a push/pull tone pot. My plan is to take full-advantage of the 4-lead pickups.
From there, I created a template for a stinger, taped-up the neck, and removed the gloss finish. This was a huge improvement in feel and playability.
The stock nut was huge, blocky, stark-white, and too deep/tight. Here's how looked before I modified it.
Note the stock truss rod cover.
I reshaped the stock nut and significantly reduced its depth. Then I widened the string grooves. Finally, I stained it with some espresso and a q-tip. That worked great. Now, it looks better and is silky smooth; especially after adding some Big Bends Nut Sauce.
From there, I plugged the original TRC screw hole and drilled a new hole for a US-spec TRC.
Now there is no gap between the US-spec TRC and the nut.
This guitar was made in 2011 so I thought this particular Signature Club TRC was fitting. It matches the stock pick-guard and black ebony fretboard. I love how it looks in juxtaposition to the maple headstock.
Next was the frets. They were in need of a good polishing and there were a few sharp edges. I gave it some sweet lovin'. Now it's silky smooth.
After the guitar was wired-up, it was time to make sure it was properly attached its player. That meant removing the stock buttons and replacing them with some black Schaller S-Locks.
And finally - after spending a few hours dialing-in the neck relief, action, intonation, and pickup height - it was time to grab a few Glamour Shots.
I hope you agree that this was the right guitar for my Hen's Teeth. It sounds and plays as good as I had hoped.
After a few weeks, I told Shawn they needed to go into an SE Custom Semi-Hollow with Bigsby. I even photoshopped a mock-up whilst working-out details with Sergio. Shawn laughed and asked why I'd put a set of 'Hen's Teeth' into an SE. I am hoping this thread answers that question.
In the years that followed, those pickups sat in their boxes while I hunted the guitar; which turned-out to be a lot harder than I thought. While I would have settled for a black SE Custom SH Bigsby (they look like a million bucks), the maple-top version of this model was my first choice and I am thrilled to finally have one. I am as excited about this guitar as any other in my house. SE haters can suck it.
The first thing I did was play the guitar to get a baseline. Then I wrote down the things I wanted to tweak and ordered some parts.
First thing ordered was a proper set of knobs. I have quite a few options in my parts drawer but none of them were quite right. In the end, these ebony and faux ivory knobs from Crazy Parts did the trick. I love how they sustain the white-binding motif and the ebony matches the fretboard perfectly. Also, they are made here in Germany so delivery was fast. I did have to etch some texture into the tone knob though. It was too slick for push/pull duties.
Next, I ordered an ABM 2400n bridge with brass rollers from Thomann. Here it is (right) with the stock SE bridge (left). I added a few kinks to the threads of the bridge posts before installation. They were perfectly snug for better transfer of energy.
Then it was time to disassemble the guitar and start the real work. The factory shielding was quite thin so I added another coat. I also ensured the back plate was shielded. Then all shielding was properly grounded.
I replaced the stock volume pot with a 500k SuperPot and added a push/pull tone pot. My plan is to take full-advantage of the 4-lead pickups.
From there, I created a template for a stinger, taped-up the neck, and removed the gloss finish. This was a huge improvement in feel and playability.
The stock nut was huge, blocky, stark-white, and too deep/tight. Here's how looked before I modified it.
Note the stock truss rod cover.
I reshaped the stock nut and significantly reduced its depth. Then I widened the string grooves. Finally, I stained it with some espresso and a q-tip. That worked great. Now, it looks better and is silky smooth; especially after adding some Big Bends Nut Sauce.
From there, I plugged the original TRC screw hole and drilled a new hole for a US-spec TRC.
Now there is no gap between the US-spec TRC and the nut.
This guitar was made in 2011 so I thought this particular Signature Club TRC was fitting. It matches the stock pick-guard and black ebony fretboard. I love how it looks in juxtaposition to the maple headstock.
Next was the frets. They were in need of a good polishing and there were a few sharp edges. I gave it some sweet lovin'. Now it's silky smooth.
After the guitar was wired-up, it was time to make sure it was properly attached its player. That meant removing the stock buttons and replacing them with some black Schaller S-Locks.
And finally - after spending a few hours dialing-in the neck relief, action, intonation, and pickup height - it was time to grab a few Glamour Shots.
I hope you agree that this was the right guitar for my Hen's Teeth. It sounds and plays as good as I had hoped.
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This one will fit nicely between the White Rabbit and BMF3. Looks Killer. Is the ABM bridge a big improvement ?
