6 to 7 Conversion Question

[guitar_santa]

I like guitars with weird shapes, and I was recently inspired by a Reverb listing:

Which would be cheaper slash more realistic: Buying a vintage Teisco-style guitar in bad shape for like $200 and converting it to a 7 string or building a guitar from scratch?

 

[MaxOfMetal]

Depends on what your skill set is, what tools you have, and how much effort you want to put in. Both are fairly large, complex, expensive projects for your first go-around, but if you do this sort of thing regularly it's mostly a toss up.

 

[odibrom]

Either of the options will mean a new neck. Then all the hardware (pickups, tuners, bridge...) must also be bought, which is probably the big slice of the bill (depending obviously on brand and what you're after). The advantage on starting with an oddly shaped Teisco is that you already have the guitar body's outline done, but all the rest must also be adapted (pickup routes, bridge position, neck pocket and so on).

I'd go with the "build from scratch" option with the looks of what you like.

 

[filtersweep]

I bought a Schecter husk of a 7 string- body and neck--- and buying the rest of the parts cost more than buying the same guitar used. There are not so many local used options for 7 string stuff--- and at least a Schecter is standard import spec (unlike some funky old vitange piece).

I spent $70 for the body/neck for an Omen 7--- and to build it completely cost 400 (including the body/neck) with pickup, bridge, tuners, all the hardware. I did go with Dimarzio pickups- which cost more than the wood. And buying 3/4 tuners isn't cheap.... and the bridge, etc.... all adds up with shipping-- especially when I bought everything at different shops, since I live in Europe. Granted I have Bourn pots, locking tuners, etc. But if I resell it, no one will care. it is still a cheap import guitar..... with US Dimarzios and killer hardware.

So you will not save money. And in your case, you are talking about very non-standard stuff. You will need a new neck---- and there is nothing easy about that when the width of the heel should be different.

In fact, you idea makes little sense at all-- unless you are in it for the challenge.

 

[guitar_santa]

In fact, you idea makes little sense at all-- unless you are in it for the challenge.

sure sounds like it. Maybe if i win the lottery someday i'll throw a bunch of money at someone to make me a goofy looking 7

 

[CanserDYI]

This sounds kind of like a situation of "if you have to ask, you probably don't have the skillset to do either." And I mean that in the nicest most realistic way possible.

 

[guitar_santa]

This sounds kind of like a situation of "if you have to ask, you probably don't have the skillset to do either." And I mean that in the nicest most realistic way possible.

Seems to be the consensus. I'm honestly just glad to put the idea out of my head.

 

[7stringDemon]

If you really want a funky shaped 7 string, maybe you would be better off buying a production 7 whos neck and hardware you like, then having someone build you a body of your design. It could be a little pricey depending on what you want for any of these variables.

 

[rokket2005]

I have an early 70's Teisco I'd sell you for $200. Also, as someone who owns a 70's Teisco, you'd be throwing away $200 trying to salvage it in order to turn it into a 7 string.

 

[cindarkness]

You know, I had a similar idea myself this summer. I have all the necessary tools and machinery plus a moderate amount of knowledge in woodworking.
I'm glad that I decided to spend that money on a couple of DIY kit guitars instead. There's a lot that can go wrong and the best way to learn is to ease yourself into it slowly and start from somewhere comfortable.

Now I come to think of it, I really should finish that ugly a** telecaster I was attempting to build from the leftover parts..

 

[bostjan]

Have you ever played a Teisco? I saw one at GC once marked $30. I offered the salesman $10 for it completely as a joke, and then next thing I knew, I was walking out of there with a Teisco.

If all you want as an end result is the vintagey-looking seven string guitar, well, those do exist. Balaguer can probably make you something unique looking that is actually nice. If you scan around periodically, DeArmond used to make seven strings that had that 70's cheapass guitar look, and they were fairly economic when they were new, so maybe you can score a used one for an agreeable price.

Or...if you want to learn woodworking and luthiere, go ahead and buy several grand worth of power tools, a few hundred bucks worth of wood, several thousand in specialty luthiere hand tools, a couple more grand in guitar parts and make it happen! Just don't forget to post a few picstories along the way...