Kevan Posted January 3, 2005 Report Share Posted January 3, 2005 So, I get a call from one of the potential licensees for the Tremol-No. He asks me, "Can you do a Tremol-No-equipped body, but with no neck?" Pfft....is Natasha Henstridge hot like fire? Of course I can (I think). I said if he ships me a body and trem, I'll make it happen. He'd like to display it at the NAMM booth, and use it for training his staff on it's use and installation. I asked "Why not just a whole guitar?", and he replied with, "I don't want ANOTHER neck swingin' around in my small booth for 3 days.". Fair enough. So, here I am with a blank, undrilled bronze Strat body and a basic vintage trem. I had to think about how to do this, because I told him that I'd get it together with no mods to the body- it could be a regular Strat at any time (not the brightest thing I've ever said, but....). So, I begin with the neck block. I'm not going for uber-fancy or dead-on, but I'd like it to look nice. It's a basic piece of pine, that obviously was used as a support when I painted something red. LOL http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached006.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached007.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached008.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached009.JPG After that was cut and shaped a little, I began to test out tension ideas. I came up with very short, double ball-end strings that I would have to make myself. These would attach to regular trem springs, then to a regular claw that was screwed into the no-neck block. So, I experimented with making my own double ball-end strings: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached010.JPG Came out pretty good. Ned Steinberger eat your heart out. LOL Now, I can't have ugly strings & springs on the face of the guitar, just hangin' out there for the frays of the Dean girls' tops to catch on....so I cut up some plexi and formed a cover. I drilled 3 holes to mount it to the neck block. The basic shape came out nice: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached011.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached012.JPG The back edges of the block were milled 1/8" so the cover fit flush when screwed on. BTW- that blue is the protective backing; it comes off later. (No- Dean is not the potential licensee; it's just tough to miss their girls. LOL) So, now it's back to the trem. I've never messed with 'faking' string tension before, so I guessed on the string length. I tried cutting them/building them each the same length, but of course the High E came out a little longer than the rest (damn skinny diameter string. LOL). The strings had to be built "inside" the trem, because of their double ball-end nature: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached015.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached016.JPG Here's the neck block, in between coats of paint (not a perfect match, but damn close): http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached017.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached018.JPG Also notice that the pickguard holes have been drilled. Well, it's go-time. I got the trem mounted and sprung the back, then attached the strings (2 per spring) to the front. The black goop is Liquid Electrical Tape. I was trying to keep the strings from slipping off. This worked....for about 4 seconds. LOL Good for electrical connections; bad for keeping metal in place. http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached019.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached020.JPG I test-fit the cover again, just to make sure the strings had enough clearance on the sides: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached021.JPG The pickguard got wired up and installed: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached023.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached025.JPG I've done tons of 2-post trems, but never had the 'opportunity' to do a 6-screw vintage trem. Wow....what an adventure. I finally got some measurements from a friend of mine, and drilled it. I was sweating this one, but then said to myself, "Screw it. It's just a body, right?". I think I got damn close. If not....I certainly did try. LOL http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached024.JPG After a quick test run, I realized that the claw would 'bottom out' before I had enough tension to get the trem to float, so I trimmed away a healthy chunk of the no-neck block (damn router took a big chunk of the right side too; thankfully the cover hides that): http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached026.JPG Since I had to shorten the no-neck block, there are now 6 screw holes in the cover. I cut off the heads of 3 matching screws, and glued them into the countersunk holes. If I get an extra day, I might re-do the string/spring cover. It also cracked last night inbetween the top two screws. Here's what I thought would be final assembly. The no neck block has about 4 coats on it, the ball ends of the strings are soldered to the springs, and we should be ready to go... http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached027.JPG Strings attached to claw/block assy: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached028.JPG Some rear shots: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached029.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached030.JPG (Note the color-matched screw heads!) The INSIDE of the plexi glass cover got painted (and some POS black fleck got in there! Arrggh!), and then trimmed and the edge rounded with a file by hand: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached031.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached032.JPG Looks alright, right? Well, the trem was stiffer than LGM at a CNC tradeshow, so...something had to be adjusted. I thought about changing/shortening the string length, but then the strings would be VERY short, and the cover VERY long. I tried 5 springs pulling on the 6 strings, and that helped, a little, but not nearly enough to get the trem to float. I decided to cut about 20mm off the ends of the trem springs in front, and re-attach the strings to those super-short springs: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached033.JPG You don't really think about the tension on a string until you try to do something like this. My hands hurt from trying to screw in that claw far enough to get the trem to float. Man, there's A LOT of tension there, esp. in the short of a distance that I used. Here's the Tremol-No fully installed (and smooth as silk): http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached034.JPG With the cover installed, again: http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached035.JPG http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached036.JPG String spacing looks a little more normal with 5 springs, eh? LOL Here's a 'players hand view" of the body. http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached037.JPG Notice the clearance notch for the pickup screw and the nicely rounded edge on the back of the cover. If I get a chance (an extra day from the guy), I might mold another cover, but I'm pretty damn happy with it. Those attending the NAMM show will get to mess around with it and say, "Hey- I read a post from the clown who built this thing!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
litchfield Posted January 3, 2005 Report Share Posted January 3, 2005 pics no worky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goth_fiend Posted January 3, 2005 Report Share Posted January 3, 2005 they work for me, but after the initial ***? its looks kinda cool, but very wierd! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevan Posted January 3, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2005 Pics work just fine on every test machine I've checked them on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdguitars Posted January 3, 2005 Report Share Posted January 3, 2005 man thats alotta work for a demo... know wait till someone asks for 10... ugh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bammbamm Posted January 3, 2005 Report Share Posted January 3, 2005 Pretty sweet. Now the next time a licensee is bugging ME for a Tremol-no mock up, I'm set ! Bamm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtis P Posted January 3, 2005 Report Share Posted January 3, 2005 i dont really get what it does... I just dont understand why there is a big cover over the pups please dont hurt me Kevan.... Curtis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primal Posted January 3, 2005 Report Share Posted January 3, 2005 Yea, I probably would have made the cover quite a bit shorter. As I understand, it is only there to keep people from snagging themselves on the screws on the no-neck block. As it is right now, it looks like you are trying to hide something for some reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevan Posted January 3, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2005 i dont really get what it does...This is a Strat with a floating vintage trem (1/2 step pitch raise), but it's got no neck. It's a display for the upcoming NAMM show. I just dont understand why there is a big cover over the pupsThe cover is for hiding the springs on the front of the guitar. Yea, I probably would have made the cover quite a bit shorter. As I understand, it is only there to keep people from snagging themselves on the screws on the no-neck block. As it is right now, it looks like you are trying to hide something for some reason.Actually, it's to cover up the screws and springs on the face. The cover can't be much shorter, because then the string ends/spring ends would show. I have decided to re-build a new cover for it. It will be less jacked-looking and not as wide on the bridge side. And only one set of screw holes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xebryusguitars Posted January 3, 2005 Report Share Posted January 3, 2005 i personally think its one of the coolest things ive seen in awhile. a neckless guitar representing the tremel-no system. pure genius kevan, love it. i wouldnt be able to think that design up in years. thanks for showing us, hope the liscensers and the crowd love it. good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarMaestro Posted January 3, 2005 Report Share Posted January 3, 2005 What a strange idea of your customer. I know it's not your fault, but I think the whole idea is so stupid....That guitar without a neck and that strange cover will only make people think that the tremel-no is a very complicated thing which cripples your guitar and requires major modification of their guitar. Exactly the opposite of the tremel-no's strengths. A complete guitar with the thing installed would make the whole idea way easier to understand and more convincing. That said I respect the work you put in an idea which is strange anyway. Looks very cleanly executed and like the best you could make under these circumstances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevan Posted January 3, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2005 Thanks guys. GM- The back of the body (Tremol-No side) will be facing the crowd 99% of the time. Few will actually see the cover on the front. I'll agree it's a kind of kooky idea to begin with, but...hey, it's done, it looks good, and most importantly- it works! :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZiKi Posted January 3, 2005 Report Share Posted January 3, 2005 (edited) thats kind of a neat idea. will the tremol-no be accessible with a back plate on? Edited January 3, 2005 by ZiKi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevan Posted January 4, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2005 thats kind of a neat idea.Thanks. will the tremol-no be accessible with a back plate on?http://www.tremol-no.com/support.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LGM Guitars Posted January 4, 2005 Report Share Posted January 4, 2005 but how does this "condensed" scale length guitar sound like though? upper fret access looks like it sucks You've got a mill Kev, why not a billet aluminum block all machined Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevan Posted January 4, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2005 The only thing you can play on this guitar, right now, is the very first part of VH's "Runnin' With The Devil". Yeah- upper fret access does suck....considering there is none, at all. LOL Hmmm...milled alum. block. Not a bad idea. Maybe bronze to match the body? :-) I just got back from downstairs and found the G string blown (at the spring end). I'm going to pick up a bunch of nice thick Low E strings tomorrow and re-do all the strings. The set that's on there now was the original set that came with my $150 super-store Strat. :-P EDIT- Big props to LGM for tossing me some ideas to help with the big tension issues. I'm gonna try something a bit different now that I have the whole thing apart (again. LOL). More pics soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdguitars Posted January 4, 2005 Report Share Posted January 4, 2005 just add a wood block to the back of the guitar, ala clapton... no stupid neck block, no offense. then you can have the dude say that with a wood block you can;t do this and take off the trem and bam holy freakin $#!t you can still use the trem.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevan Posted January 4, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2005 just add a wood block to the back of the guitar, ala clapton... no stupid neck block, no offense. then you can have the dude say that with a wood block you can;t do this and take off the trem and bam holy freakin $#!t you can still use the trem.... ....I told him that I'd get it together with no mods to the body- it could be a regular Strat at any time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdguitars Posted January 4, 2005 Report Share Posted January 4, 2005 doh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank falbo Posted January 4, 2005 Report Share Posted January 4, 2005 Why not a fake neck heel block like you have, but only the size of the neck itself? Then use 6 staggered hammer dulcimer tuning pins. Then all you'd have is a little bolt-on block with 6 pins coming out of it. You could use regular strings and tune it to whatever you wanted, like an open chord or something. Or am I missing something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevan Posted January 5, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2005 Frank- that's not a bad idea, but I'm trying to keep this thing as low profile as possible. The less it looks like a project- and the more it looks like a normal Strat- the better. Plus, I don't need it to be in tune; I just need the trem to float. Let's have some fun with this new design. Here are two pics. The first one is of the new design with the cover over it. (and the new strings). http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached038.JPG The second pic is of my bench at this current moment. There is a clue on the bench as to what's under the cover. http://www.tremol-no.com/images/nostringsa...attached039.JPG The first to post what's under the cover will win the admiration of their friends and fellow members of PG.com. If you want to know what that's like, ask our last winner, Darren Wilson. He's one popular cat now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren wilson Posted January 6, 2005 Report Share Posted January 6, 2005 My life has been forever changed by winning the last Tremol-No contest. I've lost 20 lbs, i've grown hair back (where i want it) and i'm more popular than ever with females of all species! All thanks to Tremol-No! What's under the cover? YOUR MOM! No wait... she's under MY covers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AlexVDL Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 Kevan, what do you mean by floating?? You mean that you can pull the trem back like a floyd or is it just a one way (down) trem which sits against the body? Because if it goes just one way, you could have used very weak springs on the back. I don't know why you need the tension coming from the front other than that the trem shouldn't be sitting against the body, which means it will float (like a floyd etc). But for what its worth, you've done a great job.. it looks.. uh.. well... unique Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowser Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 He said in an earlier post that it does float just a bit, enough to go about a half step sharp. all i can think of that could be under the new cover are some cut springs, theres some real small ones on your bench. Is that all that will be covered on the new design? I think it definitely looks better, more stylish (not to say the original wasn't snazzy in it's own right) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle Cavanaugh Posted January 8, 2005 Report Share Posted January 8, 2005 I can't wait until that thing comes out once you find a manufacturer. I'll totally get one! I'd say Gotoh and Schaller would be two companies to inform about it. Comparing the design of Hipshot's Trem-Setter and your Tremol-no, I'd say yours looks like it might work more smoothly (not to mention you can turn off the trem) and doesn't require as much work to install. The Deep-C sounds like it'd be great for all the floating Floyds like on Ibanezes. I've installed a piece of wood to do what that does. Looks like anyone capable of a basic trem setup can install your invention. Wow, it's a bottle opener, too! LMAO Did you send a unit out to Floyd Rose? Do you have a patent? Maybe I'll get too axious and make my own! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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