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Topic: Recording King hot rod project |
Brad Davis
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 7 Feb 2014 2:36 pm |
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| Just acquired a Recording King lap steel, the sunburst model. I like the looks on these, reminiscent of some of the early Gibson models. I'm going to make it an upgrade project for fun: pots, cap, some barrel speed knobs, maybe some tulip/keystone style tuners to get better headstock clearance on 3&4, and a stew-mac p90. Nut seems fine, jack seems fine. I'm contemplating what if anything to do about the bridge. It's rather austere and flimsy, although seems it will do the job. Just unattractive. Maybe a ready made cover/handrest if one can be found? Some other thru-body bridge? Thoughts? |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Brad Davis
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 8 Feb 2014 10:44 pm
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Thanks for that, not sure if I'm handy enough to finish it nicely enough to look better than what's there, little sturdier maybe.
I did put new cts pots in today and the stewmac p90. Gold speed knobs (with position indicators) look much better to me with this finish too, although black would work as well. Stewmac p90 soap bar cover is a little too squared off for the orignal cavity but I got it to work okay, still adjusting it. Had to open the holes in the top a bit for the pots, the chinese ones were really small. Anyway it certainly sounds no worse, and a bit better I think. And the original tone control had no discernible effect so that's an improvement also.
Tuners next but the peghead will have to be reamed a bit to accept an 11/32 bushing.
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Tom Snook
From:
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA
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Posted 9 Feb 2014 5:13 pm
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Try a P Bass pickup cover.What is the scale length on yours I too will be modifying mine.
_________________
I wanna go back to my little grass shack........ |
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Brad Davis
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 9 Feb 2014 6:43 pm
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Oh wow great idea, thanks! There are several, but maybe something like this Fender piece if the dimensions will work:
The scale is 23.25, something like that. These are so cheap I'm thinking about grabbing the RG-31 plain finish version to keep in an E tuning. Then I might try the GFS p90 for something different, with a cream color soap bar and amber knobs  |
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Steven Erickson
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 10 Feb 2014 4:42 am
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Brad:
I tried a Fender '51 P bass pickup cover (part # 0033167000) on my RK-31 and it did NOT fit - too narrow, not tall enough. The 'closed end' bridge cover you posted above might work. See if you can find dimensions. Rondo Music sells their bridge & pickup cover set; bridge cover works fine, but HUGE - covers bridge and pickup. I like it (bit of arthritis in my hands) but you might not. Affects palm muting. Check it out. |
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Brad Davis
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 10 Feb 2014 5:19 pm
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| Good to know Steven, I was looking at that cover also. I see the way Rondo used their cover, similar to what this Fender part might do. Dimensions on it are 4" x 3" x 0.8". The bridge on the RK is at least 3/4", so that might not be high enough off the top, although it might fit across the strings, maybe some of the pickup. Of course the tabs could maybe be shimmed underneath with pick guard material. Also thinking about just the plain bass pickup cover, use it over this bridge sort of like a dobro cover plate strap. |
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Steven Erickson
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 11 Feb 2014 2:33 pm
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Brad:
Rondo's bass pickup cover is wide enough (4 1/2") but not tall enough (7/16" at center, tapers even shallower at the ends). Your 'shim' idea might work, or lowering the bridge and nut...? |
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Brad Davis
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 11 Feb 2014 5:44 pm
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I couldn't really lower the bridge and nut without routing out the cavity some more to lower the p90, as is the soap bar pretty much sits right at the level of the guitar top. That could also mean some refinishing work possibly. I'm going to get the Fender p bass cover and the plain bass pickup strap and stage them both just to see how it might work. Still planning to swap out tuners soon.
The guitar is sounding good though. Very decent for a beginner or someone looking for a cheapo, but even better with the inexpensive upgrades. The stock p90 actually isn't bad but the stock pots, knobs and wiring were kinda chintzy and junky. The jack might eventually need replacing too, but that's also cheap and easy. |
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