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Up to Discussions in Variax Transplants
2003 Views 7 Replies Latest reply: Feb 19, 2010 10:11 AM by gitarzan53 RSS
shawno Just Startin'
shawno
1 posts since
Feb 13, 2010
Currently Being Moderated

Feb 13, 2010 7:34 PM

Seeking advice on Variax modification/upgrade

Hello! This is my first post to this group. I recently ran across this group through an Internet search, and have been enjoying reading through some of the posts. Definitely impressed with some of the Variax transplants I've seen here, and glad to know that others out there are interested in this type of thing. I bought a Variax 300 back in 2007. Love the electronics, but not too happy with the neck. I remember at the time, searching for information on transplants/modifications for 300's, and not much was available. Seems that's changed for the better. I still have the 300, and would really love to transplant its guts into a Telecaster-style guitar. After everything I've seen/read (here and elsewhere), I'm pretty sure that this isn't a procedure I could take on myself. I've contacted a local guy who does guitar work, and asked if he'd be willing to help, but his response was lukewarm at best. I've since considered just replacing the stock 300 neck with one from Warmoth. And this seems like a reasonable idea. I'm wondering though if the Warmoth replacement necks are easy to install? I know they require holes to be drilled, and I'm OK with that. But is it a "one-for-one" kinda swap or would the Warmoth neck require a lot of complex adjustments (shims, etc.)? I know that Warmoth also makes full-body replacements (along with necks) for the 300. And i was thinking that the replacement necks are probably designed to work best with the replacement bodies. In which case, some tinkering with the neck may be necessary to get it onto an actual Variax 300 body. To clarify: I'm OK with the stock 300 body. The neck is my main focus, and I'd be happy to just slap a new neck on there. But if it's a complicated procedure, it may not be right for me. I prefer maple necks/fretboards, and was taking a look at the Variax 600 as a replacement for my 300. It's a tough call, as there aren't any shops in my area that carry Variax guitars, so I can't just go out and try one. Has anyone here tried a 600? if so, what is your opinion of the neck? I'm also going to check out the "general" Variax group to see what people are saying about the 600 over there. Anyway, thanks in advance for taking the time to read this.

Tags: variax, 300, replacement, 600, neck, telecaster, warmoth
  • fuly4jc Just Startin'
    fuly4jc
    114 posts since
    Mar 26, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 13, 2010 9:02 PM (in response to shawno)
    Re: Seeking advice on Variax modification/upgrade

    I have been exactly where you are at.My first mod was a new neck on my vax with the original body.The thing to keep in mind first is the neck pocket.Most strat and tele necks fit ok but I had one that was a little bigger than the vax and had to mod the wood to make it fit.Not the best idea but it worked.If you get a new neck,make sure the holes are drilled right and the alignment is right.I have used a couple of used necks on it and were both fine then decided to transplant the whole thing.I am no expert,in fact most of my experience is trial and error and just going for it.I have learned alot and have came out ok but not exactly sound advice.My 2 cents is this=buy cheap at first and see what works(if you want to do it yourself).You can always resell on ebay.If you have enough confidence in yourself with something better or new part,go for it!!I went cheap first and worked up.There are alot of good guys here with,I amd sure,far better skills that may have better advice also.Good luck and Peace!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • amx05462 Power User
      amx05462
      3,480 posts since
      Sep 1, 2008
      Currently Being Moderated
      Feb 13, 2010 9:23 PM (in response to fuly4jc)
      Re: Seeking advice on Variax modification/upgrade

      for transplant  into a  warmouth  telecaster  body  you need a 500  or a  700.    there strat body  takes  the  coffin case.   on the  other  hand   you could   take  the  coffin case   internals  and   put them into  the  tele  body with a  bit of effort  i found  the  variax body to be  overly thick  and  clunky and  the  three  hundred  neck felt  more  like  a les paul than  a  strat   neck.  but  it was  playable   i did  however  like  the  big frets..

       

          if you decide  to change  the  neck  wether  it be  a  new   warmouth    or fender  neck....  all  new  necks  have  to be drilled   this  is a  good thing.    you clamp the   neck where  you want  it  .  then  go through  the  exixting  holes  and   spot  the     neck  with   a  drill  that  is   snug  in the hole  in the  body.  when  i say   spot it    that means  to slightly drill.   then  remove  the  neck and  drill your  holes  on a  drill  press. all necks  new  or  used  have  to be  ajusted   possibly shimmed.  its  the  process  of  changing  a  neck.   theres  no  plug  and  play   guitar  neck.

       

          as  far as   a  600  vs   a  300.  my  opinion  is the   600 is a 300 with a  tremelo.

  • gitarzan53 Just Startin'
    gitarzan53
    203 posts since
    Apr 28, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 16, 2010 11:45 AM (in response to shawno)
    Re: Seeking advice on Variax modification/upgrade

    I agree with what the other guys said here, with a bit of extra advice. Whenever you're subbing a neck on a guitar, be sure and check the scale length of that neck. There's a chance it will force you to move your bridge on the body. You can do a google search on scale length, but basically, your bridge MUST be located the same length away from the 12th fret as your nut is. Luckily, it doesn't have to be exact, since that's why the saddles are adjustable, but you have to be in the neighborhood. You don't want it to be an inch off, or only some of the strings will play in tune. Any time you start messing with guitars and modifying them, you're pretty much forced to learn something about luthiery. As far as I'm concerned, that's a good thing. It doesn't necessarily help your playing too much, but getting a better understanding of how a guitar (or any stringed instrument) works can only help you. I think every guitarist should have the know-how and tools to set up his guitar (set action, intonation, some way to insure that it's playing in tune with itself). Hopefully, you'll come out of this with more knowledge and confidence with your instrument. Good luck!

    • amx05462 Power User
      amx05462
      3,480 posts since
      Sep 1, 2008
      Currently Being Moderated
      Feb 16, 2010 1:47 PM (in response to gitarzan53)
      Re: Seeking advice on Variax modification/upgrade

      what guitarzan is  saying  is  right on the  money   thats  why id  either  get   a  strat neck or  the  warmouth  neck  there  both  the  same  scale   lenght  as  the  variax.  personally  i would  buy the  fender  neck.  you can  even  duplicate  the  line  6 logo  .  just  get some  of the  decal   paper   sold  on  ebay.    stick  it  on  and  one   coat  of  clear   your  done.

      • fuly4jc Just Startin'
        fuly4jc
        114 posts since
        Mar 26, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Feb 16, 2010 10:59 PM (in response to amx05462)
        Re: Seeking advice on Variax modification/upgrade

        Right on the money guys.Scale is crucial!!!!!Hence my last build.Strat neck but not a strat body.All worked great but scale off 3/4 of an inch.Everything from the 12th fret and below would not intonate.What a bummer and a great lesson!!Has been corrected now with the strat body but I should've paid more attention.I am pretty sure the vax is 25.5 also but double and triple check,it will save alot frustration!!!Nothing more embarassing than playing live and sounding out of tune.Oh well.Good luck man!!!!

        • GhengisKong Just Startin'
          GhengisKong
          67 posts since
          Feb 7, 2009
          Currently Being Moderated
          Feb 19, 2010 6:50 AM (in response to fuly4jc)
          Re: Seeking advice on Variax modification/upgrade

          I'm getting ready to transplant my 300 into a tele as well. The scale length on my 300 is 25.5 with 22 frets. Interestingly, the tele is also 25.5, but with only 21 frets. So I spoke with the local 'go to' guy for guitar repair, Al Burnside of Al's Music Service in Oak Hill WV. He told me that for best results, you need to place the bridge 3/16''-5/16'' BEYOND the scale length or the guitar will be intonated sharp, and not able to be fixed.

          I have a Mexican Tele neck, and bought a replacement Nashville Tele body. I almost talked myself out of the transplant, because the guitar body is orange,with a 3/8" maple flame top on an alder body and I could make the Nashville Tele and keep it! But, I got the stuff because I really do not like the Variax in a physical sense so I'm going to do the transplant.

          • gitarzan53 Just Startin'
            gitarzan53
            203 posts since
            Apr 28, 2006
            Currently Being Moderated
            Feb 19, 2010 10:11 AM (in response to GhengisKong)
            Re: Seeking advice on Variax modification/upgrade

            Sounds good! Good luck with it.

            Yeah, the number of frets doesn't have anything to do with scale length. They are apples and oranges. That's interesting what he said about putting the bridge beyond the scale length. I haven't found it an issue to put the bridge right on the line, but he's probably fixed or built more guitars than I have!

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