H7 Road Trip

HarrySeven

So, today I find myself in Bath, via Melksham (Alan George Guitars) and Corsham (Gardiner Houlgate) -
more on these later.

Just grabbing a coffee, then a visit to Guitarbitz and V&R.

JerkMoans

Just look out for someone parking up an articulated truck in the Bath area.

JezWynd

JerkMoans said:

Just look out for someone parking up an articulated truck in the Bath area.

I picture a trailer of old WEM amps being towed by a Rover 90. Good hunting H7.

HarrySeven

JerkMoans said:

Just look out for someone parking up an articulated truck in the Bath area.

Well, I’ve only picked up 3 guitars so far today!

Keefy

Ooh I love a guitar road trip! A couple of years ago I took a day off and drove from Swindon to Ashbourne to try out some lovely axes at @guitars4you. I ended up keeping the guitar I had intended to trade, but despite (or because of?) this it was a worthwhile exercise, and I had a thoroughly enjoyable time chatting with Mark. Looking forward to hearing how you got on @HarrySeven.

HarrySeven

Guitarbitz - all new stuff...nowt for me.

V&R - jaw-dropping loveliness, but nothing specifically on my radar at the moment.

Sassafras

HarrySeven said:

JerkMoans said:

Just look out for someone parking up an articulated truck in the Bath area.

Well, I’ve only picked up 3 guitars so far today!

What's slowing you up, it's nearly 11 O'clock already.

HarrySeven

Sassafras said:

HarrySeven said:

JerkMoans said:

Just look out for someone parking up an articulated truck in the Bath area.

Well, I’ve only picked up 3 guitars so far today!

What's slowing you up, it's nearly 11 O'clock already.

I know! Slacking or what?!?!  

Funkfingers

HarrySeven said:

V&R 

Does a Synthaxxe now count as "vintage"? Given its reputation for overheating and spontaneous combustion, the thing is more likely to be well done than rare.

guitars4you

looking forward to more info H - See you at Brum Show I assume late Feb

HarrySeven

guitars4you said:

looking forward to more info H - See you at Brum Show I assume late Feb

Actually, Mark...I'll be (permanently) giving it a miss from now on (unless someone convinces me otherwise) - it's just not my cup of tea - not enough weird old tat!

pmg

I feel like this premisecould make an entertaining tv series

HarrySeven

Bath itself was just a bit of a potter round and (other than V&R's drool-inducing stuff), not much to say, really.

So...on with the reason for the quick nip down to that neck of the woods...

Firstly, this:

Jolana Superstar, won in December's GH auction.

Their description was as follows:

1978 Jolana Superstar electric guitar, ser. no. 2xx9; Finish: natural, impact blemishes and other various imperfections; Fretboard: rosewood; Frets: generally good, but in need of cleaning; Electrics: working; Hardware: some pitting, but generally good; Case: soft bag; Overall condition: good.

I'd say that was reasonably accurate.

As you can see above, the frets are rough and the board was very dry/dirty.

I gave it a bit of a clean, soaked the board in lemon oil and restrung it this afternoon - I'll finish off the setup tomorrow, but it needs a fret dress, really.

It also needs a wee bit of attention to the wiring (2 minute job).

You'll note from the pic below that the pickup construction is...errr...interesting!

As per usual re. Jolana, DeFil, Klira, Musima, etc, etc...construction is somewhat "industrial". The neck is like a baseball bat, but a much lower action has improved things immensely.

So...a fret dress is definitely in the offing, along with a few other jobs. Great-looking guitar though!


As for my other port of call...I've often wondered re. the quality of stuff from Alan George (primarily sells Rebon/Aiersi, etc stuff on Facebook) and as I was in the area, I dropped him a line and asked if I could call in.

Really nice guy. I tried a few guitars (including some LPs) and ended up coming away with these two boxes below...and no...they weren't empty!

Two Jazzmaster-ish jobs with bound/block fingerboards - one in metallic pink and another in gold. Nice weight, played great, sounded good and, at £75 each, what's not to like as a modding platform?

HarrySeven

pmg said:

I feel like this premisecould make an entertaining tv series

Hmmmm....now that could be interesting!

Keefy

Interesting to see (1) PCB control mounting, (2) TESLA pots - would that be the same crew now known as manufacturers of JJ valves?

What does the second toggle switch do - phase switch, coil tap?

JerkMoans

pmg said:

I feel like this premisecould make an entertaining tv series

A sort of ‘Lovejoy’ spin off

pmg

JerkMoans said:

pmg said:

I feel like this premisecould make an entertaining tv series

A sort of ‘Lovejoy’ spin off

Yes!

Funkfingers

Keefy said:

Interesting to see PCB control mounting

See also, Rickenbacker 220.

HarrySeven said:
the pickup construction is...errr...interesting!

Now, that pickup cover is truly deserving of the description "ash tray".

HarrySeven

Having just twiddled with the Jolana a bit more, it’s clear that the nut has been replaced at some point - and it’s too high (so the zero fret has no function).

MLten80

are your open notes wrong if the strings aren't touching the zero fret? ( = making the first fret longer than it should be) 

interesting find tho

HarrySeven

MLten80 said:

are your open notes wrong if the strings aren't touching the zero fret? ( = making the first fret longer than it should be) 

interesting find tho

Yes - spot on.