TheQuijano Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 I picked this up tonight, traded a 5 string Rondo (SX brand) lefty bass and $100 for it. The shop thought the poker chips were stock inlays, calling them Casino Inlays. I knew from the photos they weregping to be stickers. I drove an hour to get it, and arrived exactly at closing time. The shop employee hung around a few extra minutes to get me going. So big thanks to Kyle at Music Go Round in Lakeland, FL. He hooked me up with a shop shirt too (which i had plan on paying for). Tonight I'll strip it down to begin the lefty conversion. I just got some new airbrush toys, so i may give it a custom paint job, too. wish me luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweed2 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Cool project, great platform for it. Take lots of pictures. How are you thinking of plugging the abandoned control holes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Great modding platform! As I recall, about a year ago there was a thread here where someone totally overhauled one of these. I suck at searches, but you've probably got your own ideas anyway. Good luck, and as tweed2 suggested, keep posting pix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheQuijano Posted February 14, 2015 Author Share Posted February 14, 2015 So, I went ahead and knocked out this conversion tonight. I haven't yet decided on a new paint job, so I will leave it as it's original color for the time being. I still need to finish putting my LP 100 that I refinished back together. So here is a step by step as it happened this evening. Pulled the strings, tail piece, and unscrewed the pickups and rings. I'm moving the Volume and tone pots and switch, so a hole to the opposite side is needed Pull the guts from the F hole, I did not cut the ground, you'll see why. Using a plain sheet of paper, I took a pencil rubbing of the existing holes to ensure the wiring will fit correctly. I use the F hole as a place holder, I also crease the paper around the body curve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheQuijano Posted February 14, 2015 Author Share Posted February 14, 2015 Trace the outlines that appear with a permanent marker so the outlines bleed to the reverse side of the paper. Flip paper, tape in place, drill pilot holes. Enlarge pilot holes to proper diameters Extract the bridge lugs, then I drilled a new hole for the ground wire Using a very thing welding wire, I laced the pots and input jack. The tone pot took 2 tries. The switch and volume pot could have been held with through the F hole. A picture for comparision. Left vs Right. I used a traditional 335 jack placement. I reused the old strings as I still plan on re-painting it AND if I needed to do any additional soldering work BLAM a lefty Dot Studio, easier than I had anticipated. I will pick-up some automotive panel clips tomorrow to temporarily plug the holes. I fired it up quietly, on a terrible, tiny amp, and the Dot Studio sounded very good. I also liked the feel of the guitar as a whole. The strap button placement will take a little getting used. Neck was nice, and body size was great. I dig it, very stoked to play it more!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweed2 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Nice, methodical and well thought out. A question, though. With the right-canted bridge, are you able to intonate the guitar, as is? Enough adjustment? Or will you have to reverse the bridge cant (treble side closer to the neck)? That would mean re-drilling bridge posts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peskypesky Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Congrats on the new guitar!! And props to you for the conversion. Very nicely done. I look forward to seeing it as it evolves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peskypesky Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 here's a thread about a lefty conversion and re-finish http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=58408 It started out looking just like yours, and ended up like this: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Nice job so far! (You have way too much time on your hands btw if this was all done in one night). I was just happy to see you get rid of those awful fret markers that were on there I also had the same question regarding intonation as tweed did. Will you have to reset the bridge or is there enough travel as is to intonate properly? In any event, nice work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheQuijano Posted February 15, 2015 Author Share Posted February 15, 2015 here's a thread about a lefty conversion and re-finish http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=58408 It started out looking just like yours, and ended up like this: Great thread! I had been looking for a conversion thread like yours for a few months. I never look on Offset anymore...I love Jazzmasters, but can't afford a lefty Fender jazzy, so I gave up on that site. I didn't think a 335 body project would pop up there. Its funny you mentioned Duplicolor, I saw your project on the Duplicolor Project site! DUPLICOLOR SUCCESS STORY I searched and search for your contact info to get more details on your conversion, but came up empty handed. That post truly inspired this project. 100%. I had been GASin' for a 335, and even contemplated getting a chinese Fibson lefty Delonge. Thanks for chiming in! I wanted to get more info regarding your plug method. I don't totally understand how you used dowels, but I'll figure something out. Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheQuijano Posted February 15, 2015 Author Share Posted February 15, 2015 Nice job so far! (You have way too much time on your hands btw if this was all done in one night). I was just happy to see you get rid of those awful fret markers that were on there I also had the same question regarding intonation as tweed did. Will you have to reset the bridge or is there enough travel as is to intonate properly? In any event, nice work. Regarding time: It only took about 3 hours to do all the work I photographed above. I have a REALLY bad habit of beginning a project and almost finishing it. I didn't want that to happen here. I just wanted it done, and wanted to strum it, if only a little bit. I will be getting a pre-slotted nut for this project, then setting the intonation. Thanks for the kind words. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeter Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 Impressive work. Congratulations on the new guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheQuijano Posted February 17, 2015 Author Share Posted February 17, 2015 So i cut a new nut and flipped the saddles. I got all strings to intonate except the low E. I will give it done more attention when i have additional time. I also fixed my wife's guitar last night too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crust Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 looking forward to the air brush work pics And, I kind of liked those fret markers, but...it's not a "Casino" lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheQuijano Posted February 18, 2015 Author Share Posted February 18, 2015 looking forward to the air brush work pics And, I kind of liked those fret markers, but...it's not a "Casino" lol My wife saw the new guitar, her response: Wow, that's a sexy guitar. So, no repainting will be done. I've also decided to leave the holes and not fill them, but to use some plugs. I will post a few pictures once I plug it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yamahajer Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Nice job! I bought a Dot back in Sept. and it had an "iffy" pickup switch, so I decide to upgrade the wiring, caps, pots, switch, etc. since they were supposed to be the weak point on the guitar. I remember, the scary part was drilling the holes to accommodate the US sized components. Taking a drill to my new guitar - OUCH! But all went well. But I have to hand it to you, it took me longer than 3 hours and I didn't have to locate new holes, just drill them larger. I think you'll love the new guitar. I do mine, but I also added a Genesis to the collection (if 3 can be a collection) so I could get a little more "rock and roll". Thought about just changing pickups on the Dot but picked up a great deal on the Genesis, so it didn't cost much more than the pickups would have. And I fully intend to keep the Dot for those bluesy, jazzy times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheQuijano Posted March 9, 2015 Author Share Posted March 9, 2015 OK I had a ground issue and found it, But Also found a problem with the switch. YamahaJer, what was wrong with yours? The middle position is only activating the Bridge pick-up. If I put slight pressure toward the neck position then I get both, but only with the pressure. NEW Switch? I'd hate to have to rip it apart again. As you can see the covers arrived, but a new bridge is still en route, tomorrow delivery perhaps? I hope so. I ordered something like the Wilkinson roller bridge with oblong post holes which will allow for extra fore-aft adjustment. I have the Allparts nut ready to go, but I'll do that when I do the bridge. My LP100 refinish is still lingering, and it also needs a new 3way toggle. I guess I'll head to the shop and pick up the parts and get crackin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peskypesky Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Nice! It looks great with those pickups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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