lynnj163
Jeff Lynn
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2015
- Messages
- 134
Well, I guess I have finally got it to where I am happy but it's not really where I thought it would be at this point. So here's the story...
Initial plans other than what I have done were to drop in the 59/09's from my SE Project and a Mann Made Bridge. After installing the 59/09's and letting them sit for a week or so I decided to switch back to the Dragon II's. For some reason even though all electronics were pretty much the same, the 59/09's just sound so much better in the SE (to my untrained ear to be fair). However, the covered pickups look so much better in the USA Custom and sound wise I'm really digging the Dragon II's now that I've spent some time with them. I did replace the covers as the originals were pretty tarnished from previous use. As far as the Mann Made Bridge, what I thought would be an easy swap turned into a little more. I bought the 2300 adjustable stoptail with pre slotted saddles. Once installed, even with the bridge against the body and truss rod properly adjusted, I was still getting an action of about 6/64ths on the high E string. After speaking with John, making some adjustments, and even filing in on the saddles some, the bridge just didn't work out. I believe we decided that there may be a neck angle issue so I've went back to the original bridge but John was great through the whole process. Even though I had attempted to modify the bridge to make it work, he still took it back and gave me a full refund. Phenomenal customer service and a great product, I wish it had worked on my guitar because the tone was great.
The other mods I've done are pretty obvious. First was a deep cleaning as it was pretty dirty and the bridge was pretty tarnished. I then removed the rotary switch in place of a Switchcraft 3 way toggle, PRS push pull in the tone location, and PRS new spec knobs. I ordered all parts from PRS so I paid more than I should but I really wanted to make sure all PRS parts went back on the guitar.
Now for my only real issue with the guitar. Now that the newness has wore off I am finding it harder and harder to love the wide fat neck, I love the feel of the wide thin neck on my SE's so many times when I walk to the guitar wall I end up grabbing an SE and this one stays hanging. I love this guitar but sometimes I do wish I had found one with a thin neck.
Sorry I didn't plan on writing a novel but hopefully you are still around. I don't have alot of guitar friends so I need to talk to somebody lol. Without any further ado, here is the pics.
First a pic of the guitar when I first got it still in need of a thorough cleaning...
Now some of where it is now, all polished, buffed and looking pretty... (Disclaimer, the quilt doesn't show up well in these pics but I thought they came out pretty good so I'm still gonna use them)
Initial plans other than what I have done were to drop in the 59/09's from my SE Project and a Mann Made Bridge. After installing the 59/09's and letting them sit for a week or so I decided to switch back to the Dragon II's. For some reason even though all electronics were pretty much the same, the 59/09's just sound so much better in the SE (to my untrained ear to be fair). However, the covered pickups look so much better in the USA Custom and sound wise I'm really digging the Dragon II's now that I've spent some time with them. I did replace the covers as the originals were pretty tarnished from previous use. As far as the Mann Made Bridge, what I thought would be an easy swap turned into a little more. I bought the 2300 adjustable stoptail with pre slotted saddles. Once installed, even with the bridge against the body and truss rod properly adjusted, I was still getting an action of about 6/64ths on the high E string. After speaking with John, making some adjustments, and even filing in on the saddles some, the bridge just didn't work out. I believe we decided that there may be a neck angle issue so I've went back to the original bridge but John was great through the whole process. Even though I had attempted to modify the bridge to make it work, he still took it back and gave me a full refund. Phenomenal customer service and a great product, I wish it had worked on my guitar because the tone was great.
The other mods I've done are pretty obvious. First was a deep cleaning as it was pretty dirty and the bridge was pretty tarnished. I then removed the rotary switch in place of a Switchcraft 3 way toggle, PRS push pull in the tone location, and PRS new spec knobs. I ordered all parts from PRS so I paid more than I should but I really wanted to make sure all PRS parts went back on the guitar.
Now for my only real issue with the guitar. Now that the newness has wore off I am finding it harder and harder to love the wide fat neck, I love the feel of the wide thin neck on my SE's so many times when I walk to the guitar wall I end up grabbing an SE and this one stays hanging. I love this guitar but sometimes I do wish I had found one with a thin neck.
Sorry I didn't plan on writing a novel but hopefully you are still around. I don't have alot of guitar friends so I need to talk to somebody lol. Without any further ado, here is the pics.
First a pic of the guitar when I first got it still in need of a thorough cleaning...
Now some of where it is now, all polished, buffed and looking pretty... (Disclaimer, the quilt doesn't show up well in these pics but I thought they came out pretty good so I'm still gonna use them)
