Soldato
- Joined
- 29 Aug 2006
- Posts
- 3,779
- Location
- Wales
Shiny Floyd Rose looks tasty. 
Soldato
- Joined
- 22 Sep 2008
- Posts
- 10,142
- Location
- Burscough
Just in case I missed it, but was this ever finally completed? I can't finished pictures of t he finished article.
Deleted member 651465
Deleted member 651465
OP
Holy thread necro Batman!
In a word, no... it was not finished... until now
Mainly because I sat waiting for parts, but also because of Customs losing items and the dispute over the lovely fees that Royal Mail decided to add on.
So here we go, 4 years in the making and I can finally reveal a lovely padded envelope. But what is inside?.... bubble wrap?
A custom single coil pickup with red Phenolic cover. Not something you can buy readily on the internet, but it showed up on eBay and I bought it. It's a working pickup but I won't be using it.
I also bought a large (37mm) brass block for the Floyd Rose. Obviously the original black and white variation migrated from a fender tremolo bridge to a prototype Floyd Rose so even EVH had to add this at a later date. It helps with sustain, but as you'll find out later you can't just whack it on without some body modification.
Caporegime
- Joined
- 1 Dec 2010
- Posts
- 53,767
- Location
- Welling, London
So when will it be finished?
Deleted member 651465
Deleted member 651465
OP
It is finished, I'm just tidying up the paint on one piece. In particular the area near the coin, here it is complete with Asda bag for life masking 
To make sure the neck and bridge were all straight was a bit of a nightmare. You'd assume that the pre-drilled Floyd Rose post holes would be straight but actually the bridge is off-set, to the point where you can see a gap at the right edge.
To make sure I wasn't going mad, I took it to a local chap to check the alignment. Here's 2 photos of the semi-final build, but I'll have to wait until tomorrow to explain this anomily in detail. Even though it only had 2 strings on at this stage, it sounded immense.. I even decided to route the neck pickup wires in to the input cavity area, just in case I change my mind and want to use the neck pickup.
To make sure the neck and bridge were all straight was a bit of a nightmare. You'd assume that the pre-drilled Floyd Rose post holes would be straight but actually the bridge is off-set, to the point where you can see a gap at the right edge.
To make sure I wasn't going mad, I took it to a local chap to check the alignment. Here's 2 photos of the semi-final build, but I'll have to wait until tomorrow to explain this anomily in detail. Even though it only had 2 strings on at this stage, it sounded immense.. I even decided to route the neck pickup wires in to the input cavity area, just in case I change my mind and want to use the neck pickup.
I think its an amazing build and hat off for the effort and attention to detail.
But, have to say I've never really understood the fascination for raod worn, or relic'ed quitars, even replica's like this one. And I'm a EVH fan. I just like shiny new stuff.
But, have to say I've never really understood the fascination for raod worn, or relic'ed quitars, even replica's like this one. And I'm a EVH fan. I just like shiny new stuff.
Ha, amazing thread and great effort EVH. Looking forward to seeing the fully finished article.
Though i'm glad i stumbled across this now and can read it in 10 mins, rather than starting to read it in 2011 and waiting all that time for updates!
Though i'm glad i stumbled across this now and can read it in 10 mins, rather than starting to read it in 2011 and waiting all that time for updates!
Deleted member 651465
Deleted member 651465
OP
Cheers for the comments guys 
I know what you're saying OspreyO, I don't normally gravitate toward relic'd guitars and prefer to have pristine stuff but if any project is begging for an authentic or road worn guitar, it's frankenstrat!
Anyway, here is a shot of the rear of the headstock. I drilled holes for normal tuning posts, then fitted the Schaller ones. It's the little details like this, which make it closer to the original. Not sure anyone else would notice...
For the spring retention, I've seen photographs with 2 springs or 3 springs offset. I chose to go with the latter as it seems to be the way the later Frankenstrat was put together. It's also this way on the Fender replicas.
...and yes, he really did use duct tape to stop the ground wire from rattling against the springs!
Now the bridge is a funny one. As I described earlier, it actually sits at an angle on the body. In order to get it to fit I had to get creative and route out a tiny section for the post. Not sure how well this comes across on the photo, but it's the tiniest of modifications.
There is also a small gap between the body and the Floyd Rose toward the right. It was at this stage that I thought maybe I was going crazy and I had to take it to a local chap for setup. We both spent ages considering all options... including one where he wanted to move the posts back and fill the holes (which would require re-painting).
In the end I found a closer / hi-res shot of the original and it's the same. It's MEANT to be like that. Phew!
It also meant that I had to use a tiny shim of hard wood to get the neck at the exact angle. It's barely noticeable but it's worth pointing out.
The input jack also got the standard sandpaper treatment, to make it look worn.
I will say that the pickup position also caused a lot of debate. Mounting it accurate to the original the pickup pole for the low E string was aligned but the high E wasn't which meant the top end was noticeably quieter. I moved it so the high E was aligned.. my priority here it how it sounds.
The 5 way switch wires were also added. Still not 100% happy with these, so may play around with it later on :/
I know what you're saying OspreyO, I don't normally gravitate toward relic'd guitars and prefer to have pristine stuff but if any project is begging for an authentic or road worn guitar, it's frankenstrat!
Anyway, here is a shot of the rear of the headstock. I drilled holes for normal tuning posts, then fitted the Schaller ones. It's the little details like this, which make it closer to the original. Not sure anyone else would notice...
For the spring retention, I've seen photographs with 2 springs or 3 springs offset. I chose to go with the latter as it seems to be the way the later Frankenstrat was put together. It's also this way on the Fender replicas.
...and yes, he really did use duct tape to stop the ground wire from rattling against the springs!
Now the bridge is a funny one. As I described earlier, it actually sits at an angle on the body. In order to get it to fit I had to get creative and route out a tiny section for the post. Not sure how well this comes across on the photo, but it's the tiniest of modifications.
There is also a small gap between the body and the Floyd Rose toward the right. It was at this stage that I thought maybe I was going crazy and I had to take it to a local chap for setup. We both spent ages considering all options... including one where he wanted to move the posts back and fill the holes (which would require re-painting
).In the end I found a closer / hi-res shot of the original and it's the same. It's MEANT to be like that. Phew!
It also meant that I had to use a tiny shim of hard wood to get the neck at the exact angle. It's barely noticeable but it's worth pointing out.
The input jack also got the standard sandpaper treatment, to make it look worn.
I will say that the pickup position also caused a lot of debate. Mounting it accurate to the original the pickup pole for the low E string was aligned but the high E wasn't which meant the top end was noticeably quieter. I moved it so the high E was aligned.. my priority here it how it sounds.
The 5 way switch wires were also added. Still not 100% happy with these, so may play around with it later on :/
Hehe..
I videoed Live without a Net from late night TV and spent the rest of the year learning pulloffs and the chello sound on my old roland pitch shift and delay..
Deleted member 651465
Deleted member 651465
OP
Final update
I repainted the black line around the coin, but for the life of me could not sand the worn area around the coin like the original, without it looking rubbish. In the end I just went for a generic pattern of wear like a few other replicas that I've seen. In hindsight, I should have done this before the white paint went on.
I also repositioned the pickup (again), so that the pole piece for the low E and the high E are both aligned. This required me to angle the pickup more, which is actually closer to the original.. not sure how I missed that but at this stage even the reference photos begin to contradict each other!
Here's the final shots of the body. I don't have the reflectors (yet) and I'm not in the mood to pay £30 for them to be imported from the USA.
....and here it is in front of the amp.
I repainted the black line around the coin, but for the life of me could not sand the worn area around the coin like the original, without it looking rubbish. In the end I just went for a generic pattern of wear like a few other replicas that I've seen. In hindsight, I should have done this before the white paint went on.
I also repositioned the pickup (again), so that the pole piece for the low E and the high E are both aligned. This required me to angle the pickup more, which is actually closer to the original.. not sure how I missed that but at this stage even the reference photos begin to contradict each other!
Here's the final shots of the body. I don't have the reflectors (yet) and I'm not in the mood to pay £30 for them to be imported from the USA.
....and here it is in front of the amp.
Caporegime
- Joined
- 20 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 78,191
- Location
- Wish i was in a Ramen Shop Counter
And how does it play?
Deleted member 651465
Deleted member 651465
OP
Amazing! The action is outstanding and the pickup screams.
I've recorded some clips, but the audio isn't amazing from a phone mic and I don't have anything better at the moment
Caporegime
- Joined
- 20 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 78,191
- Location
- Wish i was in a Ramen Shop Counter
That sounds 100x better than i thought !
Kudos man!
Kudos man!