Getting work done

[arbiter]

Hey everybody, I don't know if this is the right place to ask, but I have been considering getting some work done on my 620 and I was wondering if anyone could hook me up with someone with some luthier skills. Mainly I would like it if someone could rout and install a third high-gain in my 620. I was also hoping to see if I could have the same person acquire and install an accent vibrato and some vintage knobs. I know pricing on this type of work probably varies a lot, but what does anyone think would be a fair price for this work and the cost of the accent and knobs? (i already have the pickup)

[jps]

I think, after a pint or 12, Aitch is your man! He'd do just about anything afterwards.

[doctorwho]

Graham, it would help if we knew where you are located (coutry/region is close enough), as that is not displayed in your info.

A local luthier would be easiest to deal with logistically, but, depending on where you are, you could ship it, of course, to a qualified luthier. Keep in mind that the resident luthiers here on the Forum are heavily booked, so you might need to wait quite some time for completion.

[sloop_john_b]

None of that is particularly intensive work. I don't think you'd necessarily need one of the Rick-specific guys. Installing the Accent and knobs is something you could do yourself with no difficulty whatsoever.

[beatlefreak]

Mainly I would like it if someone could rout and install a third high-gain in my 620.

ist2_481480-hand-tools.jpg

Just kidding...You'll want someone skilled with woodworking to rout for the pickup. The rest seems easy enough to do yourself and save some bucks.

[arbiter]

Mainly I would like it if someone could rout and install a third high-gain in my 620.

ist2_481480-hand-tools.jpg

Just kidding...You'll want someone skilled with woodworking to rout for the pickup. The rest seems easy enough to do yourself and save some bucks.

Yeah I figured. The real difficulty seems like it is going to be acquiring an accent But what would you consider is a fair charge for just routing and installing the middle pickup?

[ken_j]

Keep in mind that the resident luthiers here on the Forum are heavily booked, so you might need to wait quite some time for completion.

I am open to this kind of work (even though I dedicate most of my time on new builds) but for less than the cost of shipping you can have it done locally. If you don't have a router you can use a Fostner bit to obtain clearance for the pickup magnet. I would use some double face carpet tape to secure wood guides to the surface of the guitar to control where you are drilling or routering (with a pattern bit). With a little planning this is not a difficult task.

[jingle_jangle]

Ken's right. If you have access to a drill press, the "routing" can be done as the Rick factory did it in years gone by--with a Forstner bit. Here's what one looks like:

forstner.jpg

Whoops...that's my old buddy, U-Boat Capt. Siegfried von Forstner...wrong Forstner.

Here's the right one:

DM_FreudFB104_Bits.jpg

A 1/2" one (available separately) will do the trick easily. The bit has a center spur to keep it from skidding across the surface of your 620. I'd drill to the depth of the cutting part of the bit--around 3/8". Draw a box around the area you want to relieve; it should take five or six overlapping holes in a line to relieve for the magnets. Then you'll have to make a 3/16" diameter hole on an angle for the coaxial cable coming from the pickup, into the control cavity. This is the only tricky bit (pun intended!): You don't want to drill through the back of the geetar!

This can be done with a hand drill if you've got a good eye and a steady hand. Plan, then call on Ganesha so you have a good time. This time of year, a nice tall Pimm's #1 will help relieve the stress and improve your focus.

Good luck!

[arbiter]

Update:

So I haven't gotten a vibrato yet, but I did have it routed for a third pickup and a 6 way rotary switch was put in. I think it looks and sounds pretty sweet. Sorry to say I didn't do it myself, but it didn't cost me too much.

Before:


After:

[whojamfan]

Very cool! What are the settings for the rotary switch?

[gellkeller]

Graham, it looks great. So have you been busting out a few string skipping arpeggios?

[scotty]

Looking good Graham.Glad to see you cut the toenails!

[jingle_jangle]

Terrific, Graham..but chickenhead knobs make a guitar look homebuilt, IMO. I'd replace that with a RIC-type silver-topped knob, if it was my 620...which it isn't...