Author Topic: Lowe Shop Notes  (Read 97167 times)

BTL

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Re: Lowe Shop Notes
« Reply #45 on: August 02, 2015, 08:38:56 PM »
So, things have been busy this weekend.

I had been waiting for a few piece to get out of paint, and now that they have, I'm going full-tilt.

Here's the latest gallery shot, and please note the black LSP and tobacco burst Ridler are both 32" scale:

« Last Edit: August 03, 2015, 08:36:40 PM by BeeTL »

Highlander

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Re: Lowe Shop Notes
« Reply #46 on: August 03, 2015, 02:00:35 PM »
Looking good...
The random mind of a Silver Surfer...
If research was easy, it wouldn't need doing...
Staring at that event horizon is a dirty job, but someone has to do it; something's going to come back out of it one day...

drbassman

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Re: Lowe Shop Notes
« Reply #47 on: August 03, 2015, 07:26:34 PM »
I agree.
I'm fixin' a hole where the rain gets in..........cuz I'm built for a kilt!

BTL

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Re: Lowe Shop Notes
« Reply #48 on: August 03, 2015, 07:44:42 PM »
Thanks...I'm having fun!

As I said, this last weekend was very productive.

First, I started with assembling some wiring harnesses.

The pre-drilled assembly blocks work equally well for P, J, and T-style harnesses.

The signal wires get laid out first, then the grounds:





I use mil-spec D sub mini pins for my quick connects, and color-code the wires to the pickup placement; Red = Neck, Blue = Bridge:




BTL

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Re: Lowe Shop Notes
« Reply #49 on: August 03, 2015, 07:45:23 PM »
Then I install the harness to the pickguard and mount the pickup, or tape it in place in the case of a Thunderbird pickup:



Note the Lollar Thunderbird 5 pickup, I believe this is among the first ones made:




BTL

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Re: Lowe Shop Notes
« Reply #50 on: August 03, 2015, 07:45:59 PM »
Flip it over, line everything up, and drill the pickguard screws.

I leave the plastic in place except for where the controls are mounted.

I hate it when the plastic is left under the controls because it is impossible to remove:






BTL

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Re: Lowe Shop Notes
« Reply #51 on: August 03, 2015, 07:46:36 PM »
I’m a fan of finding elegant solutions to simple problems, and here are two little tricks I’ve developed using O-rings from the plumbing section of the hardware store.

A #41 works perfectly as a bushing to fit Hipshot Licensed tuners to an import headstock, and a #7 adapts the SG-style switch hole in my control plate to accept a third pot or a jack:







Nice and tidy:


BTL

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Re: Lowe Shop Notes
« Reply #52 on: August 03, 2015, 07:47:25 PM »
Ridler #1 getting wired up with Fralin Big Singles in a P90 cover with no holes.

I solder brass nuts on the dog-ear base plate, so now it’s height adjustable.

To my knowledge, these pickups are unique to my builds:

 

I lay the wires out within the cavity so friction keeps them in place.

On the LSP with Thunderbirds (P’Nobird?) I use a bit of electrical tape to hold the connection secure because the pickup gets moved around:





Ridler #2 getting wired up:




BTL

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Re: Lowe Shop Notes
« Reply #53 on: August 03, 2015, 07:49:12 PM »
I use 8-32 EZ-Lok threaded inserts designed for metal to bolt my necks down.

Step one is marking the necks to be drilled.

I clamp the necks in place, mark with an awl, double-check the placement, then head to the drill press:





The clamp keeps the neck from rocking:


BTL

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Re: Lowe Shop Notes
« Reply #54 on: August 03, 2015, 07:49:47 PM »
Once drilled, I tap the hole for a ¼-20 thread, then use a sacrificial insert to center a deeper hole into the maple for the bolts on my contour-heel necks.

Also, I clean the pink thread-lock off the insert and instead flood the hole in the neck with thin CA before inserting the sleeve:







« Last Edit: August 03, 2015, 08:20:57 PM by BeeTL »

Nocturnal

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Re: Lowe Shop Notes
« Reply #55 on: August 03, 2015, 08:17:29 PM »
Looking good!! Always interesting to see how all of the builders here work their magic!
TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE BAT
HOW I WONDER WHAT YOU'RE AT

BTL

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Re: Lowe Shop Notes
« Reply #56 on: August 03, 2015, 08:25:06 PM »
Absolutely, and thanks!

I've learned so much over the years by participating on forums like this one, and I like to "give back" as much as I can.

There are a number of little details and tweaks that are unique to my builds, so if others find them interesting or useful, so much the better!

8)

BTL

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Re: Lowe Shop Notes
« Reply #57 on: August 05, 2015, 03:20:17 PM »
Inspired by the legendary bassist's modifed Precision, with a little design input from ebassist's SmallEQ, behold the latest addition to the Lowe Guitars lineup, the CHIMERA Series LSP, or P'Nobird:












drbassman

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Re: Lowe Shop Notes
« Reply #58 on: August 06, 2015, 07:43:47 AM »
Nicely done!  I love the Hipshots, they are my favorites.
I'm fixin' a hole where the rain gets in..........cuz I'm built for a kilt!

Rob

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Re: Lowe Shop Notes
« Reply #59 on: August 06, 2015, 01:19:33 PM »
Nice!