Time to reveal goings-on with the Aria 5102T rebuild/zoot

slyd · 2011-07-07T17:02:12+00:00

Well, a coupley months back, I was brought this old early-70's Aria 335 copy. I t was sad . . . very sad. It had been the guy's (late some while) uncle's axe. He had managed to dig it up, and REALLY wanted it fixed-up (although everyone told him to buy a new guitar!). Big issues: body separation, neck-pocket displacement, top warped away from neck pocket, general warping, neglect, sun, water, rats, spiders, etc. Once I found the neck was cool, and my wood-prof told me we could re-shape some wood, . . . I was off . . . . . . . . Check some pics: Just some of the before pics, . . . what a hectic journey and learning-curve ? Many more pics and details to come . . . :-[

Norman86

SUPER!!!! ?

Well done! Cant wait to see everything together!!!

Zulublues

WOW ! !
Slyd, you are a far braver man than I, and more skillful as all can see. Gibson would be jealous !!

Well done and keep the pictures coming, the entire forum is watching in ..............anticipation. 8)

StephenG

WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i got a strat i want done in ivory white................... wanna try ????

oh hell you not in cape town!

Kalcium

Oh my word!!!! THAT is just sooooooooooooooooooooo tasty!!! MmmMMMMM I want one!!! :applause: :woohoo: :applause:

slyd

Just to step back a moment . . . .

I didn't get many pics during staining, but here's a couple:

And then, had a chance to take some more pics of the pretty girl after the clear:

I have'nt started assembly yet, as I had to do a fret-dress and set-up of canadian muso Roger Seldon's acoustic Ibbo. (Got a bit of a backlog of axe's lined up in the shop :-[ ) So much work, so little me ?

Keep an eye on this space as she comes together .. . . . . . 8) thanks for all the comments everyone

slyd

Just to double-check the wiring layout I am using on the Aria.
This is how I have wired the harness, according to the "modern wiring" layout. Anyone have any issues with this ???

There were a number of choices, but this was by far the most used wiring for an es335 on the net.

AlanRatcliffe

Yeah - that's the ticket. Volumes are interactive on the middle switch position, but less noise as you turn down.

slyd

Thanks Alan
I wanted to double check this BEFORE I installed it ?

lucamo

This is my first post...

I just received this type of guitar as a present. This thread has given me hope to restore it.

Mine is a 5102T but it has the humckers and the same tail piece.
I am gonna use this thread as research, would it be fine to ask you some questions sometimes?

Neon-Gecko

You are more than welcome to ask questions, there are plenty of helpful guys and gals willing to offer help, tips and advice. ?

Neon-Gecko

Neon Gecko wrote You are more than welcome to ask questions, there are plenty of helpful guys and gals willing to offer help, tips and advice. ?

Jeez Slyd, sorry mate, didn't mean to hijack your thread there, Ithought I'd get clever this morning and log on from my phone. I thought I clicked on Joe Moore's thread, talk about a combo of fat fingers, tiny screen and maybe me needing glasses. :-[

slyd

@lucamo - absolutely bru! ?
The Aria 5102T has been a learning-curve, and I'm happy to assist in any way 8) You gotta put a pic or 2 on here . . . .

@Neon Gecko - no worries mate ?

VellaJ

Any idea about when she'll be all back together, slyd?

slyd

?
Okay, my faithful friends and followers of this thread . . . I've finally managed to free my shop of all back-logged axes (5 guitars this past week), and was able to start on the Aria again today. . :woohoo:

Figured it was time to complete the neck/headstock with the assembled re-chromed tuners . . . . .hahahahaha HAHAHAHAHAHA mmmwwwhahahahaha ???

Found out once again, that re-chromed parts are bigger/larger than they were before. The tuning-post key dimensions were now larger than they were originally! ? They now did not fit into the slot on the tuning gear, or even through the hole on the plate.

Okay, modifications again. Used my dremel tool to gently sand down the key-slot on the post to fit into the tuning gear. Also slightly enlarged the hole in the tuner-plate to accomodate. MUST REMEMBER THIS FOR FUTURE !!!!! Probably could've bought a set of vintage-style tuners for about the same cost and effort ?

Ready to rock . .

Using the dremel to sand-down the shaft . . .

slow going. . . .

Starting to get there . . .

At last . . .

Looking oh-so pretty *

slyd

@vellaJ - maybe in this next week, if I don't get too much work in 8)
Who knows . . . but it's just assembly, and set-up . . . . .although it's a set set-up of a brand-new axe. Who knows what could pop it's head up . . . ? . . I might need to shim the neck pocket, we'll see.

I am "uber-excited" for the developments to follow . . . ?

costafonix

Fantastic stuff Slyd,, you've kept us captivate for weeks,,,waiting for the next instalment ? :applause: :yup:

ratrap

Hey Slyd I really enjoyed following this thread so far! Well done.

Neon-Gecko

Phew, and just when I thought it couldn't get any better... It just has! ? Really an amazing show of skill, patients and good old fashioned SA ingenuity! :applause:

slyd

Just a small diversionary job to do this morning, then hopefully time to get back on the . . . .ASSEMBLY :dance:

Jacquesg4j

Wow, Dremel is a handy little bugger. Only realized this morning that my boss bought one a while ago and decided that he didn't want it. ... MMMMh.... Wonder if I can have it!

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