Charvel 750XL project

[booger007]

Well I just got a butchered 750XL. Its a shame what had happened to it. Someone added a third pickup route and put a single coil route in between the 2 humbuckers. I know this really affects the value but thats not why I bought it. I still thought it would be an awesome guitar to have and play. I do get the 3 reflex pick ups with it but with no preamp. I think am going to go with EMG 81-SA-85 pickups. it does have the JT590 but am thinking of getting a gold Schalled OFR and some gold hardware for it possibly even gold pick up rings if they would fit. Finish appears in ok shape and is the cherry sunburst flamed maple top so I may leave it and do a refin later on. Am I correct in assuming this uses the R3 Nut? Probably overpaid too but it was one of those things I just had to have. like to hear everyones thoughts on the pickup selections and any other ideas you might have.

[BigE13]

Just to save everybody from posting this...we need pics! EMGs would be great and the gold hardware sounds like it would compliment the guitar's colors. I believe you are right that an R2 or R3 nut will fit. Difference is only in the string spacing.

[john.w.lawson]

WOW you bought that crapppy one thats got the middle pickup route...it had a jt6 in the listing? What did i finaly go for?

[booger007]

John, first of all, I dont really know if crappy is the right word but yes i did. I have been after one and this was the only one I could find cheaper than 600.00. and I wasn't the only one bidding. So as i said, I did over pay but I didn't buy it as a collectible I bought it to be played and if I can get pick up rings on it and it doesnt look bad I should be able to get some nice bluesy tones out of it from the middle pick up. Every time I find one I like it goes for well over 1000.00 so i went ahead and bit the bullet. And you are right it does appear to have a have a JT6 which they did not come with which shouldn't be an issue anyways as I already did the trem conversion on my model 4 to a Gotoh Floyd.

So mine will be a 750XL Custom

All in all it was a pretty good week cause I also bought a second 650XL earlier in the week as well.

Ill take some good pics when it arrives, the ones on EBay were not very good. he sent me some via email that were much better.

[john.w.lawson]

Sorry bro..I hope the frets are good, they looked to have some wear!

[booger007]

Sorry bro..I hope the frets are good, they looked to have some wear!

I am not even worried if it needs a refret I have a local luthier that has done work for some major artists here where I live that takes care of me on the barter system so thats not a concern either and that is a good part of the reason I decided to get it.

I will sell some unwanted gear for the parts money as well.

Hopefully I didnt eff myself too bad

[pro-fusion]

One of the biggest restoration problems you might have on that guitar is what to do about the bridge pickup position. The idiot who butchered that guitar widened out the bridge pickup rout, presumably to do a direct mount, and destroyed the screw holes for the pickup ring in the process. The problem is that, with an angled neck and non-recessed trem, direct mounting a bridge pickup probably won't work on that guitar, since the pickup has to sit way up high to get close enough to the strings--especially if you want to use EMGs. I don't know the total status of the screw holes for the ring, but it's possible you'll have to have someone like Frets On The Net make you an oversize ring for which you can drill new screw holes. If you could find one of the oversize rings that Jackson/Charvel used in 1987-88, that might also work.

Good luck with this one. I was tempted, but not willing to pay near that much for it.

[modelseriesman]

Was bidding against you...congrats.

If for any reason your project dies, call me.

Since that body was modded so hard already, I was going to make it even worse and install 3 buckers... call it a "black beauty killer", if you will.

[booger007]

Was bidding against you...congrats.

If for any reason your project dies, call me.

Since that body was modded so hard already, I was going to make it even worse and install 3 buckers... call it a "black beauty killer", if you will.

modelseriesman-will do, i am hoping to get it over to my luthier on nov 9th

Interesting idea on the three humbuckers. Some of the work I can do and some of it I cannot. Once I get it to my luthier I will decide what to do. I have also considered filling the bad routes and painting the guitar, i would hate to lose the figured wood but it is an option.

For another client my luthier had actually made some metal type gold pick up rings for a guitar that had been butchered as well so this is the way I was leaning and why I thought of the gold hardware, rings and trem. thought it would look good with the color of the guitar with black pick ups.

If I do proceed and get this thing refretted should I consider stainless steel frets?

So I am really appreciating all the tips and concerns. Any advice is greatly appreciated. This will never be the guitar it once was, I get that but maybe with a little creativity I can still make it an awesome player?

[john.w.lawson]

If the frets are good its probably already a good player..

[booger007]

If the frets are good its probably already a good player..

Thats all I am hoping for really!

if I wind up having to fill and paint I have always really liked the Eerie Des swirl so I may try to do that, or maybe some unique color. If I refinish I am going to probably try a trans red sunburst look.

I will keep everyone posted, at the same type I will keep looking for a complete non project guitar as well.

Would still love to hear everyones thoughts on stainless frets?

[tonemonster]

we need pics!!

[john.w.lawson]

he just bought it on the bay doubt it there yet?

[booger007]

Yup as John said not here yet. It has really been butchered badly. will definitely provide pics

[booger007]

OK Well the 750 arrived and it certainly has issues. Its as if some meth head got a hold of it. First, John you were right on the fret wear but i think there is enough height for a leveling, however there are some fingerboard divots in 2 locations that are going to have to be addressed. The rear route for the bridge pickup has indeed totally trashed the pick up ring screw holes so this will need to be filled or oversize rings. i am leaning towards filled. The single coil route is just totally awful and will also need some work.

I would love to hear everyones Ideas and suggestions. let me know of any other photo angles well need. i am taking it to my luthier on nov 9th unless we can arrange something this Friday. i have also asked him to take photos of the process which i will gladly share

i am very fortunate that I can barter for most of the repair work, with that being said I still have a budget for that amount so i really am hoping I have a luthier in the holiday spirit lol.

finish is beautiful, couple of scratches but none are really that bad

pictures are uploading now and can be found at http://booger007.smugmug.com/Music/M...7224&k=H8VNcqN

there is also a pic in there of the model 4 I have. notice the GC price tag! They had reduced it to 249.00 when i found it. The kid couldnt figure out how the strings were supposed to be locked down(JT6) (thank good for the unknowing) and I got it for 175.00 shipped. I installed a Gotoh trem and it is one fantastic guitar.