NMGD: RGDX7620-18

[cyril v]

I figured I'd share a few shots with you guys, just finished putting it together today actually.

The body is Courtney's (2018 Customs and Studio) Solo Artist RDX design, which is based an RGD style body that is made of African Mahogany, dark/red stain and finished with tung oil. Then this kickass body was mated with a 98' RG7620 neck and hardware and Seymour Duncan Fullshred pups

Can't have a thread without pics, so here ya go!







This things slays and I couldn't be happier with the way the body came out (thanks!), I'm only having one issue at the moment... somehow the input jack is screwed up and there seems to be a little wiggle room in there and it's not making a solid connection. I have to pull up on the cord for it to make a solid connection and I'm not really sure how one would go about fixing a barrel input jack. So, switchcraft 1 > me 0.



edit: @ thread title, I meant to change that before I made the thread. ha

[MaxOfMetal]

Did you use a barrel or open style jack?

[cyril v]

I just edited it the post, it is a barrel jack... I have no clue how that could've gotten messed up, if it were the regular style this wouldn't have been an issue.

[PirateMetalTroy]

is it just me, or does that bridge pup sit a little bit funny in its route?

[cyril v]

I think you're right, I installed the bridge and studs myself, probably needs to be adjusted. I suck.

Originally Posted by PirateMetalTroy

is it just me, or does that bridge pup sit a little bit funny in its route?

Thanks for pointing that out, I probably would've noticed earlier if I wasn't just playing heavy riffs on the low strings all day. As soon as I played something on the bottom three strings, you could hear that it was a little off, and if you look at the pics you can see the pole pieces don't line up with those three strings.

Basically I'm going to have to move the stud back a few millimeters on the treble-side. Should be fun.

[Ruins]

wow this looks amazing!!!! i love that color and the woood and everything about it.
congrats dude.

[Wi77iam]

I dig it.
but is it just me, or does the low B and high E string both sit dangerously close to the edge of the fretboard?

[MFB]

The E does look very close to the edge, the low B looks alright though

[Sebastian]

Looks awesome

[Apophis]

Looks so awesome, it has nice unfinished/wild vibe

[cyril v]

Originally Posted by Wi77iam

I dig it.
but is it just me, or does the low B and high E string both sit dangerously close to the edge of the fretboard?

Originally Posted by MFB

The E does look very close to the edge, the low B looks alright though

yeh, you're right. It's the stud on the treble side of the trem, it needs to be adjusted. also, I might have to nudge the neck slightly as well. it's the damnedest thing, the lower four strings sound great and brutal as hell, but the high strings sound shrill and twangy because of the awkward angle.

Anyone have any ideas about the input jack, is there anyway to dismantle and fix it or should I just buy another new one or maybe there a better brand out there that makes the barrel-type input jacks?

[george galatis]

woooooooooooow :O that body rocks!!!! oh shit rg vs rgd! really nice! congrats

[OrsusMetal]

That looks badass dude! I'm anxious to hear those full shred pickups. I ordered one but duncan kept sending me the 6 string version.

Your high E tuner is crooked. Fix it fix it fix it!

Anyways, super awesome guitar!

[zindrome]

Sexy combo dude!
that looks amazing

[Zahs]

That looks amazing, its got that h-rg + the rgd vibe ... real cool, very nice finish... congrats on the guitar.

[cyril v]

Incoming horror story:

So I took the guitar back to the guy that put the neck on for me... apparently (according to him) he had taken it upon himself to actually redo the studs himself, so... basically I had it correct initially and he changed it out and is telling me it doesn't matter that it is slightly off. Also, he took it upon himself to take tools to the neck pocket, because he says it was too tight (i didn't think 'tight' was a problem), and basically it's not sitting in there quite right at the moment, which is why the high-e string is close to the edge. To top it off, he lost my strap mounts and is telling me that I didn't bring it to him... I better check at home.

Then he tells me that it doesn't matter that the pole pieces aren't lined up with on the treble-side and assures me it has absolutely nothing to do with the neck not being straight in the pocket and the bridge being slightly angled. As for the output jack thing, he tells me that switchcraft is junk, but then tells me thats how they're designed... so that they only work correctly when the cord is wrapped around the strap (good thing he lost my strap mount).

Think thats bad? Well, while I'm sitting there we were discussing the finish and all the stuff he ....ed up, and I step out for like a second to grab something out of my car... I come back and the guy is rubbing an old english oil stain/beeswax mixture on my guitar to show me what it will look like. Holy shit! I wanted to stab the guy.

:bathroom break:


Thought I was done? lol, no. The coup de grace'? I got home 5-mins ago from work and open the electronics cavity because I notice the screws on there aren't the ones that I originally supplied. Wtf. Apparently the 500k CTS pots I purchased to be in the guitar weren't quite to his liking and he decided to ghetto-rig a 250k emg pots in there...

picture reference:


This is my luck with guitar tech's... I've never been able to find a single one that can get the job done right the first time that didn't take me finishing something myself or having to take it to someone else to kinda finish.

uggh.. anyone know any non-retarded semi-dependable guitar tech's in south jersey?
------------

anyways, thanks for the kind words guys. I'll get these minor details sorted out shortly and hopefully get to enjoy this beast in it's full glory!

[Leec]

That is one horrible story, dude. You have had more than your fair share of ultra shit luck, it seems.

But why were the trem post changed in the first place? Did you discuss this with him? That's quite a radical step if you hadn't mentioned it.

Also, when he proposes that neither the neck's nor the trem-post's misalignment account for the misalignment of the strings, what does he instead think it is? Do not let him attempt to fix the answer.

[Customisbetter]

I would have PUNCHED that dude in the mouth. I do guitar work for a few guys around my town, and if i ever hear of somebody doing that, i will be sharing some aggressive words.

This is what YOU should do. PLease tell me it s a music store.

Go to the manager, grab his ass over to the techs counter and point out EVERYTHING that you wrote in this thread, and DEMAND that they pay the amount you paid to build that guitar, then never return.

Alternate ending, you can smash the guitar on the techs counter and leave.

[cyril v]

Originally Posted by Leec

That is one horrible story, dude. You have had more than your fair share of ultra shit luck, it seems.

But why were the trem post changed in the first place? Did you discuss this with him? That's quite a radical step if you hadn't mentioned it.

Also, when he proposes that neither the neck's nor the trem-post's misalignment account for the misalignment of the strings, what does he instead think it is? Do not let him attempt to fix the answer.

I'm gluten for punishment apparently.

All of the stuff I mentioned that sounds silly, I didn't ask for... he just went ahead and did all of this shit on his own and then acts as if he just blessed the guitar. I asked for factory spec set-up and left my current 7620 there for him to get everything exact if he needed measurements and such.

After I noted all that stuff in the previous post, he basically said that the miniscule difference in the trem post wasn't going to make a difference, and that the neck was as good as he could possibly get it. Then I said, "We'll if the best you can do is leave it screwed up, I could've ....ed it up myself...", to that end he started with some BS about how he undercharged me for the job and that if I wanted it perfect then he should be charging 3x the amount. Then he went on to talk about how most guitarists are anal and want everything perfect blahblahblah.

I still have no clue why he messed with the trem posts, that part is beyond my comprehension and apparently his as well, because at first he said he fixed it and insisted on that until I measured it right in front of him.

Just a short list of guitar-tech mishaps I've had lately:
-guitarsetup - paid in advance, guy sets up everything but the trem, he can't work with floyds, he recommends the guy I'm mentioning in this thread.
-pickup install - neck pickup didn't wasn't wired properly.
--brought it back to get that fixed - fixed neck wiring, but I later find out that he dropped my guitar and tried to cover it up the scar with black nail polish.
-guitar setup - this guy does an excellent setup but fails to mention that he broke my tremol-no and tried to fix it with superglue. also, he glues in a piece of wood to block the trem without asking me. fail
-guitar set-up - I always emphasize that I like low set-ups, this guy gives me the ol' SRV set-up where you need to be a powerlifter and blow some lines of coke to be able to approach.

Thats just the recent stuff that I can remember... basically every guitar set-up I've ever gotten, I've had to toy with myself to get it how I asked initially. I've started doing my own set-ups now, but I didn't want to attempt to assemble this guitar on my own.


There is some good news.. after I posted that last post, I immediately went to the gym. Holy shit... one of the few local luthiers in there pumping iron as soon as I walk in the door.

I'll be dropping by his place tomorrow night after work.

Originally Posted by Customisbetter

I would have PUNCHED that dude in the mouth. I do guitar work for a few guys around my town, and if i ever hear of somebody doing that, i will be sharing some aggressive words.

This is what YOU should do. PLease tell me it s a music store.

Go to the manager, grab his ass over to the techs counter and point out EVERYTHING that you wrote in this thread, and DEMAND that they pay the amount you paid to build that guitar, then never return.

Alternate ending, you can smash the guitar on the techs counter and leave.

He doesn't work in a music store unfortunately... and oddly enough, all of the other work I've seen the guy do for friends and other players has been stellar. I just happen to have shit luck... like when a tech sees me or a seven string they just lose all grasp of their knowledge. I really can't explain it...

[308sc]

Originally Posted by cyril v

I'm gluten for punishment apparently.

All of the stuff I mentioned that sounds silly, I didn't ask for... he just went ahead and did all of this shit on his own and then acts as if he just blessed the guitar. I asked for factory spec set-up and left my current 7620 there for him to get everything exact if he needed measurements and such.

After I noted all that stuff in the previous post, he basically said that the miniscule difference in the trem post wasn't going to make a difference, and that the neck was as good as he could possibly get it. Then I said, "We'll if the best you can do is leave it screwed up, I could've ....ed it up myself...", to that end he started with some BS about how he undercharged me for the job and that if I wanted it perfect then he should be charging 3x the amount. Then he went on to talk about how most guitarists are anal and want everything perfect blahblahblah.

I still have no clue why he messed with the trem posts, that part is beyond my comprehension and apparently his as well, because at first he said he fixed it and insisted on that until I measured it right in front of him.

Just a short list of guitar-tech mishaps I've had lately:
-guitarsetup - paid in advance, guy sets up everything but the trem, he can't work with floyds, he recommends the guy I'm mentioning in this thread.
-pickup install - neck pickup didn't wasn't wired properly.
--brought it back to get that fixed - fixed neck wiring, but I later find out that he dropped my guitar and tried to cover it up the scar with black nail polish.
-guitar setup - this guy does an excellent setup but fails to mention that he broke my tremol-no and tried to fix it with superglue. also, he glues in a piece of wood to block the trem without asking me. fail
-guitar set-up - I always emphasize that I like low set-ups, this guy gives me the ol' SRV set-up where you need to be a powerlifter and blow some lines of coke to be able to approach.

Thats just the recent stuff that I can remember... basically every guitar set-up I've ever gotten, I've had to toy with myself to get it how I asked initially. I've started doing my own set-ups now, but I didn't want to attempt to assemble this guitar on my own.


There is some good news.. after I posted that last post, I immediately went to the gym. Holy shit... one of the few local luthiers in there pumping iron as soon as I walk in the door.

I'll be dropping by his place tomorrow night after work.



He doesn't work in a music store unfortunately... and oddly enough, all of the other work I've seen the guy do for friends and other players has been stellar. I just happen to have shit luck... like when a tech sees me or a seven string they just lose all grasp of their knowledge. I really can't explain it...

You my friend have some bad luck and shitty techs in your area.
Better days ahead

[XeoFLCL]

Man I'd have lost it on the guy by now. I don't think I've ever brought one of my guitars to a tech due to these kinds of horror stories.. I just learn how to do everything myself and I even have a cheap 7 string and a cheap 6 string I test more extreme things on (Such as refinishing, bridge replacement, routing, etc..)

[cyril v]

I hear ya, thats the best thing to do and besides getting these total screwups fixed by a real luthier, I'll be doing everything else on my own from this point on. I'll pick up some cheap fixer uppers on CL or Ebay soon to practice on their frets and such.

The frets are the main reason I took it to the guy as they were pretty beat up when I got the neck off of ebay.. thats probably the only part of the guitar he didn't mess up.

[MaxOfMetal]

Originally Posted by cyril v

I hear ya, thats the best thing to do and besides getting these total screwups fixed by a real luthier, I'll be doing everything else on my own from this point on. I'll pick up some cheap fixer uppers on CL or Ebay soon to practice on their frets and such.

The frets are the main reason I took it to the guy as they were pretty beat up when I got the neck off of ebay.. thats probably the only part of the guitar he didn't mess up.

Get yourself a copy of "Guitar Player's Repair Guide" by Dan Erlewine. Amazon is selling used copies for as little as $4.00, and it's worth EVERY PENNY of the $32.00 new price, and them some.

I learned more about tech by reading that book, cover to cover, then working along side a professional tech (a really good one too) for three years.

I will say though, that 90% of the specialized tools for set-ups and repairs you'll never really need. You can spend about $60 at Home Depot and be set-up almost indefinitely, minus disposables of course.

[cyril v]

Originally Posted by MaxOfMetal

Get yourself a copy of "Guitar Player's Repair Guide" by Dan Erlewine. Amazon is selling used copies for as little as $4.00, and it's worth EVERY PENNY of the $32.00 new price, and them some.

I learned more about tech by reading that book, cover to cover, then working along side a professional tech (a really good one too) for three years.

I will say though, that 90% of the specialized tools for set-ups and repairs you'll never really need. You can spend about $60 at Home Depot and be set-up almost indefinitely, minus disposables of course.

Thanks for the advice man, I really appreciate it.

I just ordered the book tonight, hopefully it'll arrive in good condition (i bought it used).

Status update on the guitar: Took it apart with the luthier I mentioned yesterday; we went through and found everything that was goofed up on it. Then went through and repaired everything within 3 hours. The only thing left now is for the epoxy to dry, then put everything back together in a few days. Instead of paying cash, since I'm cool with the guy we are working on the barter system since I have lots of guitar hardware lying around here and basically he'll fix the issues and I can use whatever is in his shop if I need to do anything. Win!

[MaxOfMetal]

Originally Posted by cyril v

Thanks for the advice man, I really appreciate it.

I just ordered the book tonight, hopefully it'll arrive in good condition (i bought it used).

Status update on the guitar: Took it apart with the luthier I mentioned yesterday; we went through and found everything that was goofed up on it. Then went through and repaired everything within 3 hours. The only thing left now is for the epoxy to dry, then put everything back together in a few days. Instead of paying cash, since I'm cool with the guy we are working on the barter system since I have lots of guitar hardware lying around here and basically he'll fix the issues and I can use whatever is in his shop if I need to do anything. Win!

No problem bro!

For the record, Dan Erlewine is to guitar techs, what Les Paul was to the solid body electric guitar. Any book, pamphlet, VHS, or DVD by the man will be supremely helpful.

Great to hear you got everything sorted out bro! Now a great looking guitar, can be a great playing one too!