My New Project: Dean Vendetta 1.7

ibznorange · 08-10-2008, 10:18 PM

So i just laid one away at work, cause i ....ing love the thing, and its really cheap. PERFECT canvas for modding shit up

It plays decently well stock actually, and sounds pretty solid, but clearly it could be better. I'm extremely impressed however for a guitar that goes new MAP at under 250 dollars.

Anyways, as i started with new pickups and tuners, and thoughts of this and that, the thing turned into a project, which is something ive been needing/craving anyways as of late.

So heres my plan for the thing

Upgrade Tuners
- Remove old tuners
- Install Planet Waves Trimlock Tuners
Upgrade Bridge to Recessed TOM
- Remove old bridge
- Remove old studs
- Redrill deeper stud holes
- Route bridge recess
- Install new studs
- Install new ABM Roller Tunematic Bridge
- Re-angle neck pocket
Upgrade Electronics
- Install Wolfetone JB rewind in bridge
- Install Vintage Vibe humbucker-sized P90 in neck
- Shield Pickup and Electronics cavities
- Install Hauser pots
- Install push/pull series/parallel switch for bridge on volume knob
Upgrade Nut
- Remove old nut
- Custom cut new TUSQ nut
- Glue new nut in place
Re-Profile Neck Joint a la Old Jem
- Mark depth of new heel
- Draw out new carve
- Sand away bulk of old heel
- Hand taper new heel in place
Re-Radius Fretboard
- Remove old frets
- Re-radius fretboard to 14"
- Roll edges of fretboard
- Install new true jumbo stainless steel frets
Scallop Frets 21-24
- Route depth of scallop on each fret
- Hand file each scallop in place
Relocate String-Through-Body Ferrulles
- Remove old ferrulles
- Fill in old ferrule holes
- Drill new ferrule holes ala Mayones Setium GT7
- Countersink new ferulles
- Glue ferrules in place
Refinish Guitar
- Sand off old headstock finish
- Sand off neck finish
- Sand off body finish
- Refinish neck in satin clear
- Dye fretboard black
- Refinish body and matching headstock in candy :blank:
- Add KGW headstock logo
- Add chrome hardware
Add EBMM JP7 Forearm Style Contour
- Mark depth
- Mark shape of contour
- Carve out contour with a spokeshave
- Hand sand final contour

So, not sure which color to go for, torn between blue, orange and green. Also, any other cool mods i "forgot" while we're at it?

also, any suggestions from the luthier types around here would be much appreciated. Im a bit torn on the order of which to go about things as well. thanks guys

Trespass · 08-10-2008, 10:20 PM

I'm not sure if its your gag, but a killswitch would be a nice addition, or a schottkey diode/Black Ice setup (stew mac for more details)

yellowv · 08-10-2008, 10:22 PM

Sounds like it will turn out great Max. I vote for green.

MerlinTKD · 08-10-2008, 10:37 PM

Isn't the Vendetta 1.7 mahogany? Go Natural, my man!!

Barring that, do a green-to-blue burst! ...cause you don't have enough to do already...

ibznorange · 08-10-2008, 10:50 PM

it is natural, but there will be wood filler, and the 3 piece body doesnt match up too well imo already :/

OrsusMetal · 08-10-2008, 11:06 PM

I've read someplace on this site that you really like middle buckers. Add a middle bucker?

I've always had one of these in mind for a project. I've always wanted to reshaped the headstock to resemble the Caparison Devils tail headstock by removing the B and G string tuners, filling them, reshaping the headstock then redrilling their new locations. But I don't know if that would be your thing or not.

Anyways, sounds like fun!

ibznorange · 08-10-2008, 11:08 PM

i really like this headstock lol

I do like middle buckers, but only with a neck single. I do have a later project in mind with a middle bucker

this one is going bucker p90 fo sho

ibznorange · 08-10-2008, 11:38 PM

Added a JP7 forearm contour mod

Demeyes · 08-11-2008, 08:14 AM

Sounds interesting. You'll end up with a completely different guitar. I'd looked at those Deans a while back when I was looking for a backup. Good price for a 7 string.

Heeboja · 08-11-2008, 08:57 AM

You can't do threads like this with out this image.

Ancestor · 08-12-2008, 10:37 AM

*fixed*

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibznorange

Scallop Frets 1-24

Seriously, that's going to be sweet, man.

Groff · 08-12-2008, 10:40 AM

Be sure to keep us updated with progress pics!

MorbidTravis · 08-12-2008, 10:41 AM

ha im about to buy a dean 1.7, but i was going to change the pups to actives.

RXTN · 08-12-2008, 11:11 AM

Sounds like too much work on that one....

ibznorange · 08-12-2008, 12:49 PM

its really not. its a 3 piece mahogany body with really solid acoustics, and the neck is among the most comfortable 7 string necks ive ever played. the hardware is kinda meh (but better than alot of cheap guitars still) and the fret work is a bit messy (but better than the korean 7321s ive played, ive just been playing andersons so im picky). all in all its a great guitar. i hate dean with a passion, especially when i open the packages they send our shop, but this guitar just came out great. Took me a long time to admit it to myself though lol

7deadlysins666 · 08-12-2008, 03:43 PM

GREAT playing and sounding guitar for the money. I'd love to see progess pics though.

ibznorange · 08-12-2008, 03:49 PM

umm, i can scan my layaway ticket

mnemonic · 08-12-2008, 03:55 PM

holy crap, you're really going all out on that thing!

i've got a vendetta 1.0 (six string version of the 1.7) and they really are great guitars for the price. if they had made a lefty 1.7 i would soooo have got one, haha.

Scootman1911 · 08-12-2008, 04:46 PM

Sounds like it's going to be awesome

Strictly 7 · 08-12-2008, 07:08 PM

Wow! How many man hours and dollars are you gonna have to spend to change it to what you want? I admire your enthusiasm and fervor!

ibznorange · 08-12-2008, 08:18 PM

The guitar is costing me 190 after tax new (i love discounts), and im looking at about 90 for the neck pickup (tapable bucker sized p90) and around 110 for the bridge pup (new JB wholesale + rewind). Not sure on the bridge, probably around 60 for an ABM roller tom. Tuners will run me ~50 bucks and a nut around 10. not sure on the fretting stuff yet, ill find out about that soon.

I think im gonna swirl it!

wannabguitarist · 08-12-2008, 08:38 PM

Might as well add a trem while you're at it

Sounds like an awesome project

ibznorange · 08-12-2008, 08:43 PM

the trem is tempting actually. might do a hipshot trem, but im liking the idea of a recessed roller tom lol

Thrashmanzac · 08-13-2008, 03:03 AM

sounds awesome man, please post progress pics

awesomeaustin · 08-13-2008, 04:05 AM

what store do you work at in AZ?

	sevenstring guitars		sevenstring registry		photo gallery		subscription		spy

08-10-2008, 10:18 PM	#1
ibznorange Chief Officer/RHLC © Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 8,369 Thanked: 60 Feedback Score: 23 reviews	My New Project: Dean Vendetta 1.7 So i just laid one away at work, cause i ....ing love the thing, and its really cheap. PERFECT canvas for modding shit up It plays decently well stock actually, and sounds pretty solid, but clearly it could be better. I'm extremely impressed however for a guitar that goes new MAP at under 250 dollars. Anyways, as i started with new pickups and tuners, and thoughts of this and that, the thing turned into a project, which is something ive been needing/craving anyways as of late. So heres my plan for the thing Upgrade Tuners Remove old tuners Install Planet Waves Trimlock Tuners Upgrade Bridge to Recessed TOM Remove old bridge Remove old studs Redrill deeper stud holes Route bridge recess Install new studs Install new ABM Roller Tunematic Bridge Re-angle neck pocket Upgrade Electronics Install Wolfetone JB rewind in bridge Install Vintage Vibe humbucker-sized P90 in neck Shield Pickup and Electronics cavities Install Hauser pots Install push/pull series/parallel switch for bridge on volume knob Upgrade Nut Remove old nut Custom cut new TUSQ nut Glue new nut in place Re-Profile Neck Joint a la Old Jem Mark depth of new heel Draw out new carve Sand away bulk of old heel Hand taper new heel in place Re-Radius Fretboard Remove old frets Re-radius fretboard to 14" Roll edges of fretboard Install new true jumbo stainless steel frets Scallop Frets 21-24 Route depth of scallop on each fret Hand file each scallop in place Relocate String-Through-Body Ferrulles Remove old ferrulles Fill in old ferrule holes Drill new ferrule holes ala Mayones Setium GT7 Countersink new ferulles Glue ferrules in place Refinish Guitar Sand off old headstock finish Sand off neck finish Sand off body finish Refinish neck in satin clear Dye fretboard black Refinish body and matching headstock in candy :blank: Add KGW headstock logo Add chrome hardware Add EBMM JP7 Forearm Style Contour Mark depth Mark shape of contour Carve out contour with a spokeshave Hand sand final contour So, not sure which color to go for, torn between blue, orange and green. Also, any other cool mods i "forgot" while we're at it? also, any suggestions from the luthier types around here would be much appreciated. Im a bit torn on the order of which to go about things as well. thanks guys Reverse Headstocks or Bust :chris: ALL HEIL THE ADMINISHREDDER! Last edited by ibznorange; 08-11-2008 at 01:57 AM.

08-10-2008, 10:20 PM	#2
Trespass AEADGBEA Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 2,564 Thanked: 132 $Trespass is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Trespass is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Trespass is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Trespass is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Trespass is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Trespass is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Trespass is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ Feedback Score: 1 reviews	I'm not sure if its your gag, but a killswitch would be a nice addition, or a schottkey diode/Black Ice setup (stew mac for more details) Pseudo-Jazz Sophisticate -The 7 and ERG Chord Melody [Jazz] Thread- "If Stravinsky's music is that of the Earth, then Meshuggah's music is that of the Machine" Teaching Guitar-Piano Technique/Theory/Jazz & Classical University Prep Ossington & Bloor area in Toronto. I now do Sykpe lessons - Inquire via PM!

08-10-2008, 10:37 PM	#4
MerlinTKD 7-String Drummer! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 2,809 Thanked: 23 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Isn't the Vendetta 1.7 mahogany? Go Natural, my man!! Barring that, do a green-to-blue burst! ...cause you don't have enough to do already... *Don's Music City - Winston-Salem*

08-10-2008, 10:50 PM	#5
ibznorange Chief Officer/RHLC © Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 8,369 Thanked: 60 Feedback Score: 23 reviews	it is natural, but there will be wood filler, and the 3 piece body doesnt match up too well imo already :/ Reverse Headstocks or Bust :chris: ALL HEIL THE ADMINISHREDDER!

Today
Seven String	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on Sevenstring.org

08-10-2008, 10:22 PM	#3
yellowv Turd Ferguson Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: S. Florida Posts: 7,091 Thanked: 220 Feedback Score: 19 reviews	Sounds like it will turn out great Max. I vote for green.

08-10-2008, 11:06 PM	#6
OrsusMetal In brightest day... Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 2,268 Thanked: 21 Feedback Score: 8 reviews	I've read someplace on this site that you really like middle buckers. Add a middle bucker? I've always had one of these in mind for a project. I've always wanted to reshaped the headstock to resemble the Caparison Devils tail headstock by removing the B and G string tuners, filling them, reshaping the headstock then redrilling their new locations. But I don't know if that would be your thing or not. Anyways, sounds like fun! http://www.facebook.com/AerodyneFlex <--Check out my band!

08-10-2008, 11:08 PM	#7
ibznorange Chief Officer/RHLC © Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 8,369 Thanked: 60 Feedback Score: 23 reviews	i really like this headstock lol I do like middle buckers, but only with a neck single. I do have a later project in mind with a middle bucker this one is going bucker p90 fo sho Reverse Headstocks or Bust :chris: ALL HEIL THE ADMINISHREDDER!

08-10-2008, 11:38 PM	#8
ibznorange Chief Officer/RHLC © Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 8,369 Thanked: 60 Feedback Score: 23 reviews	Added a JP7 forearm contour mod Reverse Headstocks or Bust :chris: ALL HEIL THE ADMINISHREDDER!

08-11-2008, 08:14 AM	#9
Demeyes SS.org Regular Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 1,476 Thanked: 11 Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Sounds interesting. You'll end up with a completely different guitar. I'd looked at those Deans a while back when I was looking for a backup. Good price for a 7 string. My Band Shardborne on Soundcloud Free E.P on bandcamp http://shardborne.bandcamp.com/

08-11-2008, 08:57 AM	#10
Heeboja Crazy Finn that is Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Finland Posts: 324 Thanked: 4 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	You can't do threads like this with out this image. Is Top Gun a gay movie?

08-12-2008, 10:40 AM	#12
Groff Medicine Chief/RHLC© Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: South Jersey Posts: 6,883 Thanked: 253 Feedback Score: 18 reviews	Be sure to keep us updated with progress pics! AHHH MOTHERLAND! All hail soviet Arktanistan-Groffistan!

08-12-2008, 10:41 AM	#13
MorbidTravis Banned Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Posts: 2,145 Thanked: 39 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	ha im about to buy a dean 1.7, but i was going to change the pups to actives.

08-12-2008, 11:11 AM	#14
RXTN Seventh Son Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tampere, Finland Posts: 548 Thanked: 17 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Sounds like too much work on that one.... http://www.myspace.com/albertroxtone

08-13-2008, 03:03 AM	#24
Thrashmanzac plays in 69/42 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Melbourne, VIC Posts: 3,770 Thanked: 53 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	sounds awesome man, please post progress pics ...Each guitarist has an evil fat 40 year old blueswankler trying to get out, If you give in to temptation you'll be sitting next to a fender playing john lee hooker while trying to keep your combover in place. -Desecrated being black and enjoying watermelon, i think this thread needs more watermelon. budda

08-12-2008, 12:49 PM	#15
ibznorange Chief Officer/RHLC © Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 8,369 Thanked: 60 Feedback Score: 23 reviews	its really not. its a 3 piece mahogany body with really solid acoustics, and the neck is among the most comfortable 7 string necks ive ever played. the hardware is kinda meh (but better than alot of cheap guitars still) and the fret work is a bit messy (but better than the korean 7321s ive played, ive just been playing andersons so im picky). all in all its a great guitar. i hate dean with a passion, especially when i open the packages they send our shop, but this guitar just came out great. Took me a long time to admit it to myself though lol Reverse Headstocks or Bust :chris: ALL HEIL THE ADMINISHREDDER!

08-12-2008, 03:43 PM	#16
7deadlysins666 Avernus Pickup Noob Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Danville, VA Posts: 2,252 Thanked: 83 Feedback Score: 3 reviews	GREAT playing and sounding guitar for the money. I'd love to see progess pics though. Chris Stoffel

08-12-2008, 03:49 PM	#17
ibznorange Chief Officer/RHLC © Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 8,369 Thanked: 60 Feedback Score: 23 reviews	umm, i can scan my layaway ticket Reverse Headstocks or Bust :chris: ALL HEIL THE ADMINISHREDDER!

08-12-2008, 03:55 PM	#18
mnemonic Custom User Title Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 1,414 Thanked: 10 Feedback Score: 4 reviews	holy crap, you're really going all out on that thing! i've got a vendetta 1.0 (six string version of the 1.7) and they really are great guitars for the price. if they had made a lefty 1.7 i would soooo have got one, haha.

08-12-2008, 04:46 PM	#19
Scootman1911 SS.org Regular Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Newberg, Oregon Posts: 390 Thanked: 2 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Sounds like it's going to be awesome

08-12-2008, 07:08 PM	#20
Strictly 7 ss.org Regular Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Medina Ohio Posts: 62 Thanked: 6 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Wow! How many man hours and dollars are you gonna have to spend to change it to what you want? I admire your enthusiasm and fervor!

08-12-2008, 08:18 PM	#21
ibznorange Chief Officer/RHLC © Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 8,369 Thanked: 60 Feedback Score: 23 reviews	The guitar is costing me 190 after tax new (i love discounts), and im looking at about 90 for the neck pickup (tapable bucker sized p90) and around 110 for the bridge pup (new JB wholesale + rewind). Not sure on the bridge, probably around 60 for an ABM roller tom. Tuners will run me ~50 bucks and a nut around 10. not sure on the fretting stuff yet, ill find out about that soon. I think im gonna swirl it! Reverse Headstocks or Bust :chris: ALL HEIL THE ADMINISHREDDER!

08-12-2008, 08:38 PM	#22
wannabguitarist SS Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Diego/El Dorado Hills CA Posts: 4,163 Thanked: 50 Feedback Score: 9 reviews	Might as well add a trem while you're at it Sounds like an awesome project

08-12-2008, 08:43 PM	#23
ibznorange Chief Officer/RHLC © Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 8,369 Thanked: 60 Feedback Score: 23 reviews	the trem is tempting actually. might do a hipshot trem, but im liking the idea of a recessed roller tom lol Reverse Headstocks or Bust :chris: ALL HEIL THE ADMINISHREDDER!

08-13-2008, 04:05 AM	#25
awesomeaustin You're not worthy Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: SD, Az Posts: 1,806 Thanked: 26 Feedback Score: 12 reviews	what store do you work at in AZ?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode