I would like to put over $1000 in parts & labor into my guit

[rfurtkamp]

Viable question: can't you damn near have one made to those specs at that price?

[neonblack]

Kickstarter?

[neonblack]

Something something Devi Ever something something sex change.

[Chankgeez]

Viable question: can't you damn near have one made to those specs at that price?

(Oh, I forgot, I want the pickguard to be made of bakelite.)

Probably not. Just those parts alone come close to $1000.

If I wanted a new build of something similar, it'd probably cost me closer to $2000 if not more.

[rfurtkamp]

If I was looking at closer to 2k versus upgrading that, I'd go with the total custom I think - one will have some resale value.

Upgrading that past sentimental value has the risk of screwing up everything you like about it now.

Just something to weigh if you haven't.

[Chankgeez]

You're absolutely right.

I've thought about all that.

Since I'm not touring or anything, this guitar doesn't have to be in any way reliable.

This thread is really just about me dreaming though.

[rfurtkamp]

Yep, I get that. I'd go with fix the bridge + electronics first, the pickguard is going to represent a ton of the $$ and well, Bake is still bake when the end of the day comes and is crackly and nasty and unreliable even as much as I love it (I have Bake grips on a few vintage handguns and LOVE them, and shoot them knowing every shot hastens their death).

[Chankgeez]

That's awesome.

Which pistols you have bakelite grips on?

I've got a vintage lap steel bakelite bar. I love it, but it's worn as all hell.

Yeah, ideally I'd just send my guitar to TK Smith to work on. He could cut me a bakelite guard and throw on one of his vibratos. I'm sure it'd turn out spectacular. Sadly, I've not the cash to finance this endeavor.

I agree that the bridge is my first priority. Everything else I can pretty much live with. I'm so used to the wonky switching, it's not even an issue at this point.

[rfurtkamp]

The Luger does, the Walther PP does, and I believe the Russian non-commercial Mak.

[Mudfuzz]

a K seems like a lot to de-mojo a guitar… I mean for a lot less you could put a floyd and some dimebuckers in it

[Chankgeez]

Don't worry, Mudfuzz, it's never gonna happen.

This is just a dream.

And if a Floyd and dimebuckers are involved, maybe it's a bad one?

[skullservant]

If you tackle it a little at a time I think it'd be a lot more achievable than trying to plop it all down at once. I'd start with whatever needs the most help first, and then end on something like the tuners which are fine for now!

[Chankgeez]

Thanks, skully, yeah, if anything, the bridge should probably be the first thing.

I'd have to take it someone who has experience installing Mastery/Staytrem style bridges because I don't even know if they'd work on this guitar. On the other hand, the three pickup Inter-Mark came to me already with a Bigsby style bridge on it. So, I know that would work.

Yeah, the tuners are totally fine, I just don't really like Kluson style tuners. They're actually pretty good for cheap tuners.

[skullservant]

Understandable about the Mastery installation. It's really just a matter of whether or not the legs of the Mastery would fit into the holes of the existing bridge thimbles. I know Mastery makes the larger thimbles that you could get in addition to the regular ones for like $10 more.

[Chankgeez]

Pretty sure there'd be some work involved getting a Mastery on to that guitar. Wouldn't be an easy installation if it's even at all possible.