Mods for when, like me, you're strapped for cash!

VellaJ

Hey all...

I've been asking a whole bunch of questions lately, and have had some really great feedback, so I'm going to try my hand quickly on giving some of the younger guys some advice which has helped me quite a lot in the past couple of days... Just to kinda return the favour...

For those of us who really don't have the cash to spend on upgrading our guitars with new parts, second hand parts are not always a bad thing! For example, I recently decided to look into fabricating a playable guitar from scratch (for myself). Obviously, if I wanted to do this with new parts, I'd be looking at maybe R5,000 (if I'm lucky!) when I could buy something playable for R1,500. So I figured I may as well take a look around...

So, my shopping list ended up being:
- A R400 Vester guitar that I bought from my local pawn shop, from which I am using the neck and fingerboard (I'm NOT making that!)
- A wide offcut of wood bought from a wood dealer (I think on the East Rand?)
- Sundry items that couldn't be butchered from the Vester (like ferrules... ? I learnt a new word... thanks Alan!)
- A set of half decent pickups

Speaking of the pickups, I went round to a secondhand guitar place near me to look for pups. I was quoted roughly R1,500 for 3 single-coils. I figured that wasn't bad, but then went to another little place and picked up a set of 3 EMG pups for R100! A little worn, but working great!

So with a bit of looking around, my potentially R5k-R6k project has cost me just under a grand. And I'm not one to skimp on quality ?

For those of you who are experienced in such builds, I apologise for wasting your time with such trivial things ? But for those who may benefit from the simple tip of looking around first, I hope this helps!

21Fretter

Get some pic's and clips up when you've put that puppy together! I'm keen to hear what R100 EMG's sound like ?

VellaJ

I'll do my best! Definitely pics, but my sound card is giving me uphill, so I'm going to have to bum someone's computer for the clips ?

costafonix

VellaJ wrote I figured that wasn't bad, but then went to another little place and picked up a set of 3 EMG pups for R100! A little worn, but working great!

Where would this 'other little place' be??? I'd like to go check out what other bargains it may have ?

VellaJ

CostaFonix wrote
VellaJ wrote I figured that wasn't bad, but then went to another little place and picked up a set of 3 EMG pups for R100! A little worn, but working great!

Where would this 'other little place' be??? I'd like to go check out what other bargains it may have ?

It's called Express Musical Instruments, at Brightwater Commons in Randburg. Tel: 011 021 5700. When I say a little place, I mean small. Maybe 5m x 5m shop, but the guy there knows exactly what he's talking about, and won't rip you off. I guess it all depends on what he's had come in, in terms of 2nd hand stuff.

costafonix

Thanks VellaJ,,, 8)