JT-6 non OFR / Schaller alternatives ???

[MetalMedal II]

I was thinking about a Tune-O-Matic / Stop Bar or T.O.M. / String Through type setup more than a Gotoh / Fender type hardtail. I've seen it on a few Jacksons so I assumed the task would be straightforward...thanks for the heads-up on the neck angle thing. This is getting to be a bit confusing to a simple guitarist so it looks like I'll have to hunt down an '86 model and put the black one out to pasture.

I agree. Get an '86 model 6, and rid of the floyded one. You'll likly save some bux as ususally the Kahler flatmount ones go for less.

[Fender]

This reminds me of when I was a kid, and guys would cut a hole in the hood of a '53 Corvette for a blower. There are guys who would shoot you for doing that, now.

I know it's off topic, but you can't have seen too many 53's with cut hoods, let alone without them. Only 300 built .

Contrary to a lot of you, I don't value MIJ guitars as collectibles, I regard them as working tools and intend them to be functional and reliable, no matter the trouble or cost associated with their modification. I primarily use RG type guitars, and to me they epitomize the best of those qualities. Don't get me wrong- the model 6 is every bit as good as my J-Crafts are. I view the customization of this guitar as an improvement to suit my tastes, and I believe the market presently undervalues these guitars. And I respect that the majority believes the model 6's of the universe should remained unmolested. The one in question is black (ugh), has EMG's (ugh x2) and seems to be a prime candidate for something new. If it were a bone stock '86 in Black Cherry, this post would have never originated, to be sure.

Thanks everyone, you've got me reconsidering everything Keep picking.

Well said. I'd say go for it. I don't agree with your MIJ statement. Well maybe with the Jackson/Charvels, but you have Ibanez's and therefore you know that for their case the cheaper stuff is produced in Korea and the high qualities from the current team j 1570 to the high end J customs are all japanese, and they are finely built instruments. No doubt about that. I would match a J custom against a USA Jackson any day, and it would be a tough choice. I have a bigger love for J customs though as they are kind of exclusive around these parts, since the majority of them can only be bought from japan, but that's still just a question of opinion. Anyways keep us posted if you do anything to it!!

[PaulG]

Contrary to a lot of you, I don't value MIJ guitars as collectibles, I regard them as working tools and intend them to be functional and reliable, no matter the trouble or cost associated with their modification. I primarily use RG type guitars, and to me they epitomize the best of those qualities. Don't get me wrong- the model 6 is every bit as good as my J-Crafts are. I view the customization of this guitar as an improvement to suit my tastes, and I believe the market presently undervalues these guitars. And I respect that the majority believes the model 6's of the universe should remained unmolested. The one in question is black (ugh), has EMG's (ugh x2) and seems to be a prime candidate for something new. If it were a bone stock '86 in Black Cherry, this post would have never originated, to be sure.

Thanks everyone, you've got me reconsidering everything Keep picking.

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

Yeah, keep in mind in Budman's case that guitar was stripped improperly and pretty well ruined before he ever started on it.

This reminds me of when I was a kid, and guys would cut a hole in the hood of a '53 Corvette for a blower. There are guys who would shoot you for doing that, now.

I mean, not that a Model 6 is worth thousands in pristine condition but, I think most of us would rather not see one potentially butchered in an attempt to put a recessed TOM/string-through setup on it.

[m2pmd70]

Swapping to a TOM... with all the woodwork required the bridge could be countersunk like Carvin does to eliminate the need for neck angle couldn't it?

Personally I'd leave the JT-6 or a Schaller/OFR on it and install a tremol-no. I just couldn't bring myself to "deface" (IMO anyway) such a sweet axe as a model 6.

[Scooter]

http://audiozone.dk/index-filer/sb/charvel-model6-guitar-restoration-01.htm

Here is Budmans M6 restoration, he made it a hardtail. Fantastic reading, very informative, but more importantly, talks about making a hardtail of it if your interested. I think I'd find Kahler guitar and do the swap that way though, fill and drill is best left up to pros or those who don't mind screwing up a good axe to learn something. If you go with it, progress pics are expected, and good luck in your endeavors.

[Tricky]

Have you thought about selling the Model 6 with the JT6, and buying
an 86 Model 5 or 6 that already has a 2300. I see them up for sale fairly often.

It would save you a whole lot of hassle trying to convert something that might not work out.
And once done, if you don't like, the resale value is gone.

If you really like the 2710, it will fit right up to an 86 model 2 or 3. Bolt on neck though.

[Trussrod]

And yes, there is a NOS 2710 at my disposal, in black too.

I have a Spyder so the information I can give you might not apply. According to Kahler's site there is some variation between his different fulcrum trem models. I pm'd you just in case.

[PaulG]

...a fixed bridge will have to have its saddles higher off the body. I'd just block the JT6 so it can't move.

I was thinking about a Tune-O-Matic / Stop Bar or T.O.M. / String Through type setup more than a Gotoh / Fender type hardtail. I've seen it on a few Jacksons so I assumed the task would be straightforward...thanks for the heads-up on the neck angle thing. This is getting to be a bit confusing to a simple guitarist so it looks like I'll have to hunt down an '86 model and put the black one out to pasture.

Thanks again for the tip, I never considered the angle but upon inspection I see what you mean.

[jacksonpc1]

+1 I agree totally with toejam.

Might not work too well. Its neck is tilted back for the non-recessed Floyd, so a fixed bridge will have to have its saddles higher off the body. I'd just block the JT6 so it can't move.

[toejam]

looks like the black 6 gets a hardtail

Might not work too well. Its neck is tilted back for the non-recessed Floyd, so a fixed bridge will have to have its saddles higher off the body. I'd just block the JT6 so it can't move.

[PaulG]

Thanks everyone for the responses, I was starting to get lonely

And yes, there is a NOS 2710 at my disposal, in black too.

As I value the opinions of people with more technical expertise than myself
looks like the black 6 gets a hardtail. I don't use the trem much as it is, and
the only ones I ever liked the action on were the Kahler pro and the one on
my Jaguar. I've seen a couple of 6's with strings through and that just might
be the ticket. The guitar has been bastardized already with EMG's (ugh), so
I won't feel so bad about plugging it up. It will require refinishing, and allow
me to scrap the locking nut and Jackson tuners. I can also reconfigure it to
H/S/H passive, which has long been a desire of mine.

Regards to all - keep picking.

[dg]

The Killer definitely won't fit. It has very narrow post spacing, and was designed to be able to replace their non-locking fulcrum trems. The best licensed floyd Kahler made was the Steeler. It was a great trem, but it will be next to impossible to find one.

[Rich#6]

Make sure that the posts line up, one of those 2 kahlers fits ane one doesn't. good luck finding one and good luck finding the parts if when it needs them(and they will).

[Trussrod]

I replaced a Fender type trem with a Spyder about 20 years ago. I wouldn't do this swap again. The post spacing is wider for the Spyder than for an OFR or LFR. Are you buying the Kahler NOS?

I'd take the lack of response to your topic to indicate people here have little experience in the swap you are considering. If you need the actual post spacing I can measure it later, but you should pm me since I probably won't see this thread again in the current topics section.