The world of Wez :)

WezV

Hmm.   just checked the bridge measurements again and they should be fine, I suspect its just the fiddly adjustment on these bridges pissing me off so i will leave it a few days and re-check

gonna do a 2mm aluminium plate to go under the bridges.  it will give a better height and solve the grounding issue, currently you can see copper tape between the bridges

Andyjr1515

I just love the look of this, @WezV  Top of the Premier division!  

WezV

Thanks Andy.

Just been sitting playign with it.  Even though its not perfect yet it is showing a hell of a lot of promise.  it brings out the fast playing!

WezV

So, I got the bridge plate sorted

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zps939c8939.jpg

these single string bridges have very little height adjustment (4mm at bridge, which only gives about 1/2 that at the 12th fret)  and I was not happy with the range i was getting yesterday.  I stupidly based my measurements on the lowest setting of the bridge which meant it was maxing out but still only giving a low action.  playable at 1.3 - 1.8 mm at 12th fret, but no where to go with different set-ups and that left the saddles at quite a drastic angle

The 1.5mm shim puts the bridge in a much better place.  The saddles are at a much better angle, still have nice downward pressure and I can use more of there adjustment range.  and i think it makes the single string bridges look less gimmicky and more like a complete bridge unit.   but it was a balls up that it needed a fix rather than an intentional design decision  

Its currently set-up at .05" (1.27mm) across the 12th fret and is pretty much buzz free.   I am getting happier with it every time i pick it up

ThePrettyDamned

Not being funny mate, it looks even better with the shim anyway!

Seriously inspirational work, I love that this *super professional* piece of kit is a 'quick build'.  

Very cool.

WezV

'quick build' just means I am using simple woods, basic finishing techniques and not stressing too much about small aesthetic details.

It will still be well built and play well, but the finish won't be perfect. if  I sell it, it will be priced accordingly

Evilmags

The bridge is a drastic improvement actually and addresses an aesthetic issue with fan frets. As no one makes fan fret specific bridges you might be on to something...

WezV

I have previously used wood plates under fanned fret bridges

not sure i am really onto something, every fanned fret seems to be a bit different so a standard bridge plate would never make a good after market part

ThePrettyDamned

WezV;389093" said:

'quick build' just means I am using simple woods, basic finishing techniques and not stressing too much about small aesthetic details.

It will still be well built and play well, but the finish won't be perfect. if  I sell it, it will be priced accordingly

It looks amazing, I'd love a fan fret someday and no doubt it'll have to be an agile!

I can dream though. Proper lovely work.

WezV

so @lew posted this recently

http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/23899/now-a-ngd-with-pics-teye-guitars-next-week-is-going-to-be-long-and-hard-ooooerr-missus/p1

it got me thinking about Zemaitis guitars again  I remembered I still had some aluminium sheet and decided it was finally time to give engraving a go.   Don't expect finished pics for a while, but I have made a start on a test piece and made a nice new aluminium guard for my dano.  

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zps023f860a.jpg

blurry pic of it placed on the dano

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zpsb7412fe9.jpg

needs a bit of tidying up but a goodd start.  certainly the best aluminium guard I have made, and I have just got it to this stage in under 30 minutes

The plan now is to print of some black dano pickguard templates and start drawing, or I may do it in photoshop instead.  then i can stick the drawing to the guard and engrave right through the paper with a diamond bit in a dremel

Lew

I like it. Any idea on the pictures?

TTony

We don't say this often enough ....

Thanks for posting this great stuff on theFB.

WezV

ah shucks!!

lew - not totally sure yet.   I have Mucha inspired lillies all down my right arm so that is one possible way to go.  Another would be some kind of dragon,  which kinda links a famous DC59 player with a famous zemaitis inlay & engraving theme

gonna do some mock ups and see what works with the shape

I may just draw a cartoon seal on the seal shaped guard 

WezV

talking through ideas is why i like forums.

I now want to combine this:

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd509/ElectronicEnterprise/eBayPhotos/JULY 2011/1964DanelectroDC59/JimmyPageZepplin.jpg

and this:

http://www.punkjob.com/DragonTele.jpg

with this:

http://www.themusiczoo.com/images/6-23-10/MF500_FD_Fierce_Dragon_22_Fret_A172306_1.jpg

this:

http://www.zemaitis.de/guitars/Zemaitis_dragaonfront_2.jpg

and this:

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3034/2617724906_392fdf8f64_z.jpg?zz=1

WezV

but not this (as clever as it is)

http://www.tonymckenzie.com/Site/themed_images/dragon-2002-body-big.png

ThePrettyDamned

WezV;390290" said:

but not this (as clever as it is)http://www.tonymckenzie.com/Site/themed_images/dragon-2002-body-big.png

That's hideous but my god, that's incredible.

EricTheWeary

I've seen one of those ( or incredibly similar) in a glass case. I thought I'd be amazed up close ( as close as the glass case would let me) but it was still hideous.

WezV

Its mostly CNC anyway.  I do know that still takes a lot of skill.  But one of the things that reignited this old idea of mine was the hand made nature of the Teye engraving.  looks beautiful even with some hand engraved imperfections - just like those old zemaitis inlays (see dragon inlay above).   Cant really fault the original zemaitis engravings - they are hand made and perfect in every way with much finer detail than i could hope to achieve

JayGee

WezV said:

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3034/2617724906_392fdf8f64_z.jpg?zz=1

Which set me kind of thinking something like that could really add a bit of zing to my jolly nice but decidedly "Plain Jane" PRS SE soapbar singlecut....

WezV

JayGee said:

WezV said:

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3034/2617724906_392fdf8f64_z.jpg?zz=1

Which set me kind of thinking something like that could really add a bit of zing to my jolly nice but decidedly "Plain Jane" PRS SE soapbar singlecut....

I could do the large aluminium inlay, not so sure i could do the engraving and you would need to supply me with a ruby for the eye.

probably best to let me practice first