dpm99

Well, I started by making these pickup covers: They turned out pretty well, if I do say so myself. After that, I thought the pickup rings would be easy. The first one I tried to make was with really thin Brazilian rosewood scrap. I cut out the inside just like you did, but didn't do a template. I kept breaking it and gluing it back together. Finally, I moved to some cocobolo that was lying around. This time I just cut off all the edges with the intention of gluing them back together. But I goofed up, and one of the sides was too short. It's not a hard fix, but these have proven to be a little more difficult than I anticipated. I think I'm gonna go with your method, except I'll probably route with a Dremel. Incidentally, I've been using a coping saw for most of the work. As long as you're patient, it seems to be a pretty decent tool for the job. Thanks for the replies. NotYou, make sure you let me know how it goes. I'll do the same. -Dave

I dig that shape too! Nice pick.

If I've missed a tutorial somewhere, please forgive me and point me in the right direction. I've been working on making some wooden pickup rings, and I keep making mistakes. I'll get it on my own soon enough, but I know several here have made their own pickup rings. How did you go about it? What steps did you follow? Thanks in advance, -Dave

Bummer! What do you think happened? Did you take pictures? I'd be curious, from a learner's perspective.

Well, I've known I'm a little weird for a long time. MB - I know. I've been watching your progress with anxious anticipation!

I've used it successfully over TransTint dyes. I'm not sure if that's helpful or not, as I don't know a lot about the dye, but there ya go.

As far as a commercially-produced body shape, I've always been drawn to the Yamaha SG. Call me weird.

The best way to figure that out is to test it on something and compare. You can create sort of a satin finish with TruOil, if you don't use too many coats.

It sounds like you've got a messed up piezo strip. I wish I knew what to tell you. I only know enough to be trouble. But if it's really worse now, that would make sense. Changing the strings is going to move the saddle around a good bit, and the pickup is right below the saddle. Hope out hope that someone smarter than me will come along.

Well, that at least makes me feel better about sticking them where they seem to look right! Thanks.

Whaza?? I didn't say much of anything, but if I did it would be to do whatever David Myka says. Hey David, if you happen to run across this thread again, I'd love to hear your methods for determining pickup placement. -Dave

Connor, I'm confused. Are you using an internal mic or something? I didn't think those things came with a pickup system. Did you install one? -Dave

orgmorg, you always have the coolest wood.

Woah. Really nice.

I live in a second story apartment, and I do it. Everything stores away in a cupboard, and I haul what I need downstairs to a patch of grass anytime I'm going to work. Having a garage would be awesome, but you make do. -Dave

Actually, you quoted bluesy, but we both picked that up. He was referring to a neck humbucker that's affixed to the bottom of the neck.

Just to add to a could of things Pete pointed out, the person running sound can make or break your night. Make sure you do a good sound check, one instrument at a time, then with everyone playing together. If there's something you don't like, don't be afraid to speak up. Secondly, that was a great point about forgetting second verses and stuff. It happens a lot. Because of that, (ok, and because I like to change things at the spur of the moment to keep music fresh) I make sure all my bands are trained in "follow the leader." You do this exercise in rehearsal. Start playing a song, and intentionally do weird things so everyone will have to concentrate to stay together. Slow down, speed up, put verses/choruses/bridges in really weird places. See if you can mess them up. It's fun, and it makes you a better band. -Dave

Looks like you've got a solid plan. Looking forward to seeing your progress pictures. -Dave

Have fun. If your guitar has made it through rehearsals ok, it'll probably be ok in a performance. I'll offer three suggestions, based on my own mistakes. 1. Make sure you have everything you need on stage to get in tune and stay in tune. 2. If you're using any accessories like capos, ebows, or whatever, make sure you don't forget them. 3. Consider your action plan in case you break a string. Sometimes the thrill of crowds and lights make you strum or pick a little harder than usual, and it's not uncommon to break a string in such a situation. Having backup gear is ideal, but you at least want a set of backup strings with you. Generally, like I said, just have fun. You'll be fine! -Dave

Ok, I'll do it. I haven't put up any pictures of the wood I'm using on my current project, but I just have to show this one off. Madagascar Rosewood:

David, I've been looking at your pickup covers for the last couple of days so I can figure out how to make my own. These are gorgeous! Do you just cover the top of the pickups or the side too? And did you sand off some of the plastic on the pickup to make room for the veneer? Crazy cool stuff! -Dave

Inside the guitar. EDIT: Ok, can't do that to you. However, you're more likely to get a good response if you give a little more information on the pickup you'd like to use.

I don't know a lot about the Artec stuff. I can tell you that Grizzly is well-respected. I'm sure you could find better pickup systems than that one, but it'd be tough to do so in that price range. It would probably be fine. Maybe someone with more experience will chime in too. Make sure if you get that one that you let us know how it works out. Feel free to post some pictures of your project too. We'd love to see it. -Dave

You were clear. I was just trying to think of some stuff within that price range. You could try some of this stuff: http://grizzly.com/products/searchresults.aspx?q=preamp If you're looking for a quality system, my guess is that will put you in the $300 range.

ktrip, There are a number of ways you can go with this. You can do it for under $100, but most systems are gonna cost more than that. If I were trying to keep it under a hundred bucks, I think I'd lean toward this: http://kksound.com/twinspotinternal.html It's my understanding that you can get by without a preamp with the K&K Sound pickups, but don't hold me to that. You'd need to research it. Good luck! -Dave