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Up to Discussions in Variax Transplants
6251 Views 22 Replies Latest reply: Aug 18, 2010 4:29 PM by gitarzan53 RSS
GhengisKong Just Startin'
GhengisKong
67 posts since
Feb 7, 2009
Currently Being Moderated

Feb 24, 2010 11:09 AM

So my 300/ Tele transplant has begun

First of all, I want to say how surprised I was at the size of the control 'coffin'. Even after seeing pictures, I had no idea it would be so large.

 

I have everything that I need for the transplant, except a pickguard blank. I have a Telecaster neck w/ rosewood fingerboard and a replacement Nashville Tele body (Alder/Flamed Maple drop-top) in orange. I'm going to use a black tortoise shell (if still availible) to offset the orange finish and flamed maple top.

 

I'll post pictures soon. I'm not about to rush this.

 

The pickup routing for this body will certainly give me a small advantage in routing since there is already less wood.

 

Does anyone have any advice pro or con about removing the components from the coffin? Is it best to leave it alone? How are they being mounted if they are removed?

 

Wish me luck!

  • GhengisKong Just Startin'
    GhengisKong
    67 posts since
    Feb 7, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 24, 2010 11:20 AM (in response to GhengisKong)
    Re: So my 300/ Tele transplant has begun

    Another question: will the model selector knob come off like a regular dome knob? Straight up and off? Does the top screw off of it? Decisions, decisions...

    • amx05462 Power User
      amx05462
      3,480 posts since
      Sep 1, 2008
      Currently Being Moderated
      Feb 24, 2010 1:31 PM (in response to GhengisKong)
      Re: So my 300/ Tele transplant has begun

      the  knob just pulls off.

      • GhengisKong Just Startin'
        GhengisKong
        67 posts since
        Feb 7, 2009
        Currently Being Moderated
        Feb 25, 2010 7:53 PM (in response to amx05462)
        Re: So my 300/ Tele transplant has begun

        This is great advice. Thanks guys!

        • GhengisKong Just Startin'
          GhengisKong
          67 posts since
          Feb 7, 2009
          Currently Being Moderated
          Mar 8, 2010 2:06 PM (in response to GhengisKong)
          Re: So my 300/ Tele transplant has begun

          I have ordered a WD mirrored pickguard blank, 9x16" (if memory serves me correctly). I also have had to order a neck bolt plate from StewMac. I took the liberty of also ordering a Tele switch plate incase I decide to do a more traditional mount. However, I intend on using the pickguard blank liberally and making a custom pickguard similar to what Thierry did with his thinline.

           

          I will re-use the Planet Waves locking tuners that I put onto my existing V300. These will eventually be replaced by Sperzel Locking Tuners. I have used both and the Sperzels are the better units. I am also going to order some Graph Tech string retainers... one for my transplant and one for my ESP Vintage Plus.

           

          The Tele body is labeled as a TL-90 DT (for the drop top).  I'm still trying to figure out who made it.

           

          The neck was pulled off of a busted (literally!) Fender Telecoustic and currently has the original tuners and nut. Notice that the nut is in upside down. This will be replaced by a Graph Tech nut and the afore-mentioned Planet Waves tuners will be mounted.

           

          Today I worked on the neck, plugging the existing bolt holes in preparation for redrilling them to fit the body's holes. I will let these sit for a couple of days before removing the excess and preparing to drill new holes. I used Gorilla Wood Glue and a dowel rod from Hobby Lobby.

           

          The next step will be to disassemble the Variax so I can mount the bridge on the new body. I will then mount the neck and make sure the action will be okay before I gut the Variax. If it won't play well, the deal is off.

           

          I am planning on following your idea AMX, by just using the part of the coffin that the electronics are mounted to. This way, I should not have to remove as much wood, from a depth perspective. I am going to route out for the battery compartment because I will be using wireless units for both the signal and the MIDI.

           

          Here's the first round of pictures. As always, any advice is appreciated!

          Attachments:
  • fuly4jc Just Startin'
    fuly4jc
    114 posts since
    Mar 26, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 24, 2010 11:54 AM (in response to GhengisKong)
    Re: So my 300/ Tele transplant has begun

    My first build I left thea case intact,had to make alot of room but had no issues-2nd and 3rd builds I did remove the parts and again had no issues.I did take some time to figure out how I was going to mount and position them though.I used different non conductive spacers I had around my garage to mount the main board and bridge board.Figuring where to mount it all does take some time.As far as the selector knob,it comes right off with no screw or threads holding it but takes a little pressure to remove,more than I would have thought before I did it.When I used the coffin case on my first,if I remember right I actually left out the bottom portion or cut it off and only used the portion that everything actully connects to.Anyway,I hope any of this helps.Can't wait to see the pics man......Peace!!!!!!!!!!

  • amx05462 Power User
    amx05462
    3,480 posts since
    Sep 1, 2008
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 24, 2010 1:30 PM (in response to GhengisKong)
    Re: So my 300/ Tele transplant has begun

    i did basicly the  same thing  but i mounted  everything  to the  back of the  pickguard  so if i needet  ot work on something   it all came  out together.  what i did  for the  main board  was  to cut  the  part of the  coffin case  it screwed  into  and  epoxy  that metal piece  to the  back of the pickguard. it worked  well  photo  below

    Attachments:
  • GhengisKong Just Startin'
    GhengisKong
    67 posts since
    Feb 7, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 8, 2010 2:10 PM (in response to GhengisKong)
    Re: So my 300/ Tele transplant has begun

    Fuly4JC also suggested only using the top part. Sorry, I didn't mean to overlook you!

     

    Here's the last of these 'first round' pictures.

    Attachments:
  • GhengisKong Just Startin'
    GhengisKong
    67 posts since
    Feb 7, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 8, 2010 2:28 PM (in response to GhengisKong)
    Re: So my 300/ Tele transplant has begun

    Those look like they would come in handy. Do you have an Ebay link?

     

    I forgot to mention that I bought a single coil pup on Ebay for $1.00 + $2.45 shipping.  I will mount this el cheapo creepo pickup under the pickguard to solve my EBow issues. Your post reminded me of this. Thanks again!

  • GhengisKong Just Startin'
    GhengisKong
    67 posts since
    Feb 7, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 8, 2010 4:01 PM (in response to GhengisKong)
    Re: So my 300/ Tele transplant has begun

    Thanks!

  • GhengisKong Just Startin'
    GhengisKong
    67 posts since
    Feb 7, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 18, 2010 5:38 AM (in response to GhengisKong)
    Re: So my 300/ Tele transplant has begun

    Here's the latest...

     

    I cut the excess dowel rods that were used to plug the neck bolt holes. I then filed them down with a three- sided file and sanded them smooth. This weekend I plan to take both body and neck to an acquantance who has a drill press and C clamps and have the new bolt holes tapped and drilled for mounting. The next step would be removing the X Bridge and mounting it into the new body for a setup test.

     

    I had started a discussion about why the Ebow doesn't work well with the Variax. The reason was that the Variax has no magnetic pickups for the Ebow to interact with. So I went to Ebay and typed in 'single coil pickup'. Voila... I got a pickup for $1.00usd with $2.45 shipping! It will be mounted under the pickguard, directly to the body, out of sight but still exerting it's influence. Funny thing... it took it four days to get here from Hong Kong. I'm still waiting on the WD Pickguard which I got from a dealer on Long Island...

     

    That's the latest. I'm sure there would be more accomplished, but my hometown of Beckley WV has a suburb called Beaver, and it was ravaged by flood waters last Saturday morning. Being the overglorified janitor that I am, I have been there at a constant ever since. I'm here today while waiting for the Head Start bus to pick my youngest son up so I figured I'd give an update.

     

    Later on!

    Dean

    • gitarzan53 Just Startin'
      gitarzan53
      203 posts since
      Apr 28, 2006
      Currently Being Moderated
      Mar 18, 2010 3:41 PM (in response to GhengisKong)
      Re: So my 300/ Tele transplant has begun

      Off topic, but you mentioned the pickup from hong kong. I was looking at getting one of those and didn't really trust it, coming from overseas. Looks like they're the real deal though, huh? That is, if you got it. I was looking for a pickup to put in my old vax 500, just something for my daughter to learn on. I ended up getting one from a buddy that happened to have one laying around not doing anything. Nice to know, if I ever need another one!

  • GhengisKong Just Startin'
    GhengisKong
    67 posts since
    Feb 7, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 29, 2010 6:58 AM (in response to GhengisKong)
    Re: So my 300/ Tele transplant has begun

    Hi guys! Nothing new to report because I have been busy at work. I have the neck on the guitar though! I'll have time to get back on it soon (I HOPE!) and have more info! Thanks again for all the advice!

  • GhengisKong Just Startin'
    GhengisKong
    67 posts since
    Feb 7, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Aug 17, 2010 8:58 PM (in response to GhengisKong)
    Re: So my 300/ Tele transplant has begun

    Okay, I'm calling the dogs on this one. I don't have the guts to gut my Variax. I'm afraid of wrecking something that I can't replace at the moment. I'm gonna turn the Tele into just that and I'll have it to transplant if I get my courage up.

     

    Sorry this became such a letdown! Thanks for the encouraging words!

     

    Ghengis Kong

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