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Well then, I guess I'll just have to do it myself!


tweed2

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Now that I have a little time, since work's somewhat back to normal hours, I've decided to catch up on a few projects. First up, install some Lollar P-90s on my Casino. I got a used set off of eBay for $130, couldn't pass them up. Swapped them out with the Biltofts that were on the Casino (more on that in a later project). But, I discovered that because the Lollar neck pickups are of the short variety, I had to shim the pickup with 3 shims to get it close to where it should be. And being that high created a problem with my pickguard. So, I contacted Lollar to see if they made, or knew of someone that made, a taller, narrow-spaced cover that I could use. Nope, no such animal, sorry, they couldn't help.

 

So I bought a set of no-hole P-90 covers (one to practice on, one to make one) and decided to make my own. I would use the short, narrow-spaced Lollar cover as a jig. Simple, if you think it through a little. Here's how I did it.

Lollar cover with blank cover.

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Stack the two covers, Lollar on top, secure with tape. Mark the taped-over holes with the butt end of a drill bit, to find them easy.

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Grabbed my centering bit, used for drilling hinges (others may call them something else). Easiest way to be sure I matched the stock holes.

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Carefully drill a pilot hole at each post hole, keeping the bit as plumb as possible.

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Use the pilot holes to align the final bit. I matched the stock hole size. Having the stock cover 3/16" above the blank one helps keep the bit plumb.

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I sanded the back of the cover to conform to the body curve and installed it. I did have to rebend the pickup frame brackets to allow the body of the pickup to sit further inside the cover. Easily done with pliers.

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Finished product. Voila, narrow-spaced, standard height P-90 pickup, with no shims. BTW, the Lollars transform a Casino to something magical. I see used Lollars on eBay, in the $125-150 range, every couple of months. Keep your eyes open, they're money well spent.

photo11_zpsc03b424b.jpg

 

On to the next project, The Sheraton FireBird.

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There you go, we don't need no stinkin' ready-made stuff!

 

Well, maybe a little.

 

Looks good, too. I was wondering, if you had taped the two covers together face to face, do you think that might have made it easier to keep them aligned?

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Many thanks for posting this man. I have the same problem with the p90 neck pickup on my casino project. I have spacers I ordered and realized as well the issue with the pickguard (they also look like crap).... As I have yet to pull the harness back out to fix the short in the neck pickup and thus render it working, I had not thought through the complete solution yet. Many thanks for the well planed and masterfully executed fix sir. One question...you mention that you are replacing Biltof p90s with the Lollars. Can you elaborate on this further and give me more on the Lollars? The pickups I just installed are By Pete Biltof .......Your work is exceptional and the casino looks fantastic. More pictures also??

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Many thanks for posting this man. I have the same problem with the p90 neck pickup on my casino project. I have spacers I ordered and realized as well the issue with the pickguard (they also look like crap).... As I have yet to pull the harness back out to fix the short in the neck pickup and thus render it working, I had not thought through the complete solution yet. Many thanks for the well planed and masterfully executed fix sir. One question...you mention that you are replacing Biltof p90s with the Lollars. Can you elaborate on this further and give me more on the Lollars? The pickups I just installed are By Pete Biltof .......Your work is exceptional and the casino looks fantastic. More pictures also??

Thanks for the compliments. The Biltofts are great pickups on a Casino. I was especially impressed with the neck pickup on a friends, which almost sounded acoustic. At the time, my Casino was my "jazz" guitar and one of only 3 that I owned, so it was also a bit of a compromise set up. But since then, I've picked up a Zephyr Blues Deluxe and a 62 RI Sheraton. The ZBD has become my "jazz" guitar, so my intention was to eventually move the Biltofts to it and install Lollars (my all-time favorite P-90s) to the Casino. Pete's pickups are great, and I love the magnet changing feature. At the price he sells at, they are a comparable PU to Jason's. Had I not got a set of used Lollars ($130!) to pull this off, the Biltofts would still be on the Casino and the Travis Morris P-90s (real sleepers in the custom-wound, mid-priced P-90 world) would stay on the ZBD. Hard to say why I like the Lollars a little better for rock. It's like there's a presense knob that's turned up a little more, I don't know. I do like the fact that when you contact Vintage Vibe, you talk to Pete directly. He and I have swapped many emails on set up. Jason has gotten so big that he has people do the talking and most of the work, to which all I can say is, good for him.

 

As for the Casino, new pickups, new wiring, new pick guard, 330-style pick guard bracket, new phenolic nut and McCartney strap pin conversion (see previous posts). The Casino is my second favorite guitar of all that I own, second only to the RIC 12. When anybody asks me to recommend a guitar to buy, the Casino is at the top of the list for playability, affordability and versatility. A despite what some say, I've never had an issue with feedback. Sure if you're gonna stand in front of your amp, you might, but it's called "situational awareness", folks. Besides, controlled feedback is a fun thing to play with. You ever hear Jimi Hendrix or Terry Kath complain about feedback?

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Great job... and that's a lovely looking top on that Casino!

Thanks, I don't know how you would describe the top, but when the light hits it just right, it really stands out. Here are some side-by-sides of the different looks it's had since I got it. I've settled on the natural/black theme, and all of my guitars now sport the same look, started by the RIC 12.

 

triplets-1.png

 

IMG_3659.jpg

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I was wondering this too.

With the type of bit I used, I wanted little gap before the bit hit, as the sleeve was retracting. It'd probably work the other way, but I'd already gone thru one cover trying things out and only had one left.

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Thanks for the compliments. The Biltofts are great pickups on a Casino. I was especially impressed with the neck pickup on a friends, which almost sounded acoustic. At the time, my Casino was my "jazz" guitar and one of only 3 that I owned, so it was also a bit of a compromise set up. But since then, I've picked up a Zephyr Blues Deluxe and a 62 RI Sheraton. The ZBD has become my "jazz" guitar, so my intention was to eventually move the Biltofts to it and install Lollars (my all-time favorite P-90s) to the Casino. Pete's pickups are great, and I love the magnet changing feature. At the price he sells at, they are a comparable PU to Jason's. Had I not got a set of used Lollars ($130!) to pull this off, the Biltofts would still be on the Casino and the Travis Morris P-90s (real sleepers in the custom-wound, mid-priced P-90 world) would stay on the ZBD. Hard to say why I like the Lollars a little better for rock. It's like there's a presense knob that's turned up a little more, I don't know. I do like the fact that when you contact Vintage Vibe, you talk to Pete directly. He and I have swapped many emails on set up. Jason has gotten so big that he has people do the talking and most of the work, to which all I can say is, good for him.

 

As for the Casino, new pickups, new wiring, new pick guard, 330-style pick guard bracket, new phenolic nut and McCartney strap pin conversion (see previous posts). The Casino is my second favorite guitar of all that I own, second only to the RIC 12. When anybody asks me to recommend a guitar to buy, the Casino is at the top of the list for playability, affordability and versatility. A despite what some say, I've never had an issue with feedback. Sure if you're gonna stand in front of your amp, you might, but it's called "situational awareness", folks. Besides, controlled feedback is a fun thing to play with. You ever hear Jimi Hendrix or Terry Kath complain about feedback?

 

Many thanks for the info and your pickup reviews. I can't agree more on Pete's personal touch (and genuine interest in your project) it is truly refreshing. You have a gorgeous collection of axes! You obviously have an eye for blondes my friend.

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Thanks, I don't know how you would describe the top, but when the light hits it just right, it really stands out. Here are some side-by-sides of the different looks it's had since I got it. I've settled on the natural/black theme, and all of my guitars now sport the same look, started by the RIC 12.

 

triplets-1.png

 

IMG_3659.jpg

msp_smile.gif

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msp_smile.gif

Unfortunately two of those guitars (the DC Jr and the black guard tele) are gone, with a third on the blocks (the SG). Good news is, they've been replaced by a natural '62 RI Sheraton and a natural Zephyr Blues Deluxe (an upgrade in my mind), with a Guild jumbo 12 in the wings. New pictures shortly. [thumbup]

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msp_smile.gif

Unfortunately two of those guitars (the DC Jr and the black guard tele)are gone, with a third on the blocks (the SG). Good news is, they've been replaced by a natural '62 RI Sheraton and a natural Zephyr Blues Deluxe (an upgrade in my mind), with a Guild jumbo 12 in the wings. New pictures shortly. This is the beauty of limiting myself to 7 guitars. All I can do at this point is upgrade.

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With the type of bit I used, I wanted little gap before the bit hit, as the sleeve was retracting. It'd probably work the other way, but I'd already gone thru one cover trying things out and only had one left.

 

Interesting. I've never seen or used one of these drills, so I don't know how they are in use. Respect for taking it on without a drill stand!

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I'm always impressed when someone has the ability and nohow to take on projects like this. When it comes to mechanical things of this nature, I'm as useless as a chocolate teapot. msp_biggrin.gif

 

"chocolate teapot" sounds like a 60's psychedelic revival band....Hmm now what would the hit single sound like??

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