Customising a '98 Kelly KE3-R

[logan]

Now THAT is cool looking!

Thankyou kindly! its also 3D in that the "cracks" are recessed a mil or so and tipped in high gloss, though the finish is more of a finish than the stone effect -
Was originally going to finish the kelly in this manner but i just cant bring myself to take sandpaper to the trans blue!

I always saw the finish, in my mind on a double rhoads or a rossie with matte black hardware....

[snake_pearson]

]

Floyd rose locking nut and plate, ibanez shims
Floyd Rose blocks, Original Jackson Takeuichi JT-580 LP Bridge with Floyd Upgrades Brass Block and claw (both polished) Switch masters pot and switch, input socket, Kill switch

Did you leave the Takeuichi because of the satin hardware? I mean they aren't bad trems (My RR3 has a JT580LP had a trem that worked better than my old guitar players Edge), but the original floyd's I've put on my Kelly XLR and my Rhoads mutt or the Gotoh I put on my Kellystar were just superior in terms of tone and tuning stability.

[snake_pearson]

BTW I would just find some nail polish that matches that finish and touch up that top horn ding. That's too nice a finish cover up!

[logan]

Ha ha! thats the problem! I originally had all these ideas for the finish, but once id stripped it back and re waxed her she really took me by surprise!

[logan]

Well, regarding the JT580LP, i was originally going to just swap in a Floyd, but it quite surprised me if I'm honest - All the blocks and fine tuners are genuine FR, as is the neck nut on Ibanez shims, the block is a over large Brass one fitted by FU upgrades and modified for a perfect fit. All the string retention shafts are new jackson items and the tremolo arm is (dare i admit it...) ESP...
Iv had no problems as yet, i genuinely thought it would be rather dog (considering its a '98 about 12th hand...) but after sharpening the blades and giving it a propper clean, seems to be as balanced and trustworthy as my Floyd or my old schaller used to be!
I think a large proportion of the tonal difference is from the block though, as even though the takeuchi is a nice block - its no where near as heavy as a genuine floyd block, and i think that having changed this for an even heavier brass block with the high tension springs and brass claw (which made a suprising difference to the clarity and definition of the notes) have probably compensated for this....

As for the finish, I definately prefer the brushed look to chrome but i originally swapped in a black JT580 (with intention of fitting a black genuine floyd) - I may still if im honest, but from a functional side of things i have to say the difference has been rather minimal for me here!

Do you use original or low pro FR style trems? Im currently using the 580LPs and i find them not quite as satisfying as the original - but then I swapped cos i complained it was always in the way! yup....

[logan]

Both JT580lps, but the KE3 has an updated block, both have hard earth and brass claws

[snake_pearson]

I have both. My RR3 and my ESP LTD 250 still have low profile styles. The RR3 trem stays in tune quite well and is actually the guitar I learned how to do my trem techniques on, but the ESP trem is shit and basically has the same problem my Kelly XLR had, which is crappy tuning stability. I upgraded all my trem blocks to 34 mm bell brass about a year or so ago, which made them sound alot better but the tuning was still shit.

I used to love the low profile but I'm an OFR convert. I hated the OFR at first when I had it put on my guitar because of the difference in tension (I felt like I was having to exert so much more force than my JT 580lp or my Gotoh), but now I love it.

This is my current main stage guitar I built. An RX10D basswood body, An RR3 neck (soon to be replaced with a Charvel 475 neck), Grover 18:1 rotomatic tuners, EMG 89/81 with 18 volt mod and killswitch, Original Floyd Rose bridge and mounts, 37mm big brass block from Keith on Ebay, and hardware from Creepy Pewter.




I do crazy divebombs and harmonic screams on this thing and it just doesn't go out of tune. I'm in the process of building a white and black one from a Rhoads EX Pro I bought about a month ago.

I've thought about getting the brass spring claw. Is it really make enough of a difference to blow $20 on it?

[logan]

Wow! firstly I am a definite fan of your V! thats some tasty wrench time im guessing?
Right, on the floyd front, i feel im heading back to the original floyds too, had one on a BC a while back and it was awesome, but like I say I ended up moaning about the height and catching my hand on it. Thus the low pro... but agreed on the tension, it is less noticable with low tuning and super heavy strings, but im with you on that one for sure!

The claw seems to make a difference with the right set up - the one on the pretty much standard DKMG in the pic made for a slightly more defined sound, whereas on the kelly its the difference between hearing a chord, and hearing the notes that make a chord - so for me it was worth the cost, but then with the DKMG, far far less noticable a difference, and had i swapped on the DK first i would probably have not done the kelly too. also using pu mounting springs to mount the claw helps keep tension when using the floyd excessively (im a bit of a bitch when it comes to excessively long divebombs, or so im told repeatedly!) and it just stops the note falling out.

Its funny you mention the ESP trem being shit - i had a M100QH or similar (arch top strat body double 81s? similar spec to DKMG) and that had the nicest finish iv ever seen on an ESP, but the bridge was a nightmare, the tone was wet and no matter what i chopped and changed it just never sounded like the dinky - so i sold it on and vowed to never touch another ESP, but i remember at the time just being so frustrated that it just never did what you wanted - or rather what it should!

[logan]

incidentally, iv had a few people ask me about those pewter fittings, im yet to actually use them - what are they like? they look awesome, for a stone finish i think id be well away! what are they like in the flesh as it were? they do look rather tasty in the pics iv seen so far !

[logan]

An RR3 neck (soon to be replaced with a Charvel 475 neck)

Does this mean you have an RR3 neck sale?

[snake_pearson]

incidentally, iv had a few people ask me about those pewter fittings, im yet to actually use them - what are they like? they look awesome, for a stone finish i think id be well away! what are they like in the flesh as it were? they do look rather tasty in the pics iv seen so far !

Oh they are ridiculously nice. I was really skeptical ($40 for pickups rings?!? WTF??) but I changed my mind as I soon as I actually got them in person. The pictures don't do them justice. I put them on all my stage guitars. Here are some pics









I used some semigloss black Hobby Masters paint on the black ones and then used 3-4 coats of semi-gloss clear coat to seal them.

[snake_pearson]

Wow! firstly I am a definite fan of your V! thats some tasty wrench time im guessing?

Thanks Man! Yeah I did quite a bit of work to that one, but it was totally worth it. Super comfortable to play and its light enough now that I can hold it up much easier when I am doing tapping runs in my solos.

Its funny you mention the ESP trem being shit - i had a M100QH or similar (arch top strat body double 81s? similar spec to DKMG) and that had the nicest finish iv ever seen on an ESP, but the bridge was a nightmare, the tone was wet and no matter what i chopped and changed it just never sounded like the dinky - so i sold it on and vowed to never touch another ESP, but i remember at the time just being so frustrated that it just never did what you wanted - or rather what it should!

I love the fact that mine is mahogany and with the 18v modded EMGS and the big brass block, chords have such a huge clear sound that Alder doesn't have. I just don't care that much for full V's (except a Demmolition. I want one of those BAD) and ESP's necks are okay...just not a Jackson lol. I own/have owned BC Richs, Kramers, ESPs, Washburns, and Peavey's, but Jackson's are just the most comfortable to me. I either have to put an Original Floyd on it or sell it, and I just don't want to put the money into a guitar I don't play that often.

[snake_pearson]

Does this mean you have an RR3 neck sale?

Haha I actually have a spare RR3 neck and a DK2 neck lying around right now that could go to a good home!

[logan]

Wow! still in genuine awe! Im a big KE KV fan and kelly star was on my wish list (between Double rhoads and KE3R) the 3R i managed to find and have just this hour purchased an old USA KV2! whats the star like in comparrison with a normal KE3?
As for the black pewter on red with bevels looks outrageously sick! Genuinely a massive fan! the guy I did the WRXT for is tempted by these... think i may suggest he gives them a go!

As for the putting money into "wall pieces" im afraid i fully agree (im sure im treading on toes of some here) - I am a guitarist and more so a tech - not a collector, so for me its all about how it handles sounds and feels - much like yourself, (thus the damage on the KE3R pics)

Regarding the body wood and the EMGs im definately agreeing - dense woods with the 18V are full on intensity (especially the 81 and the 707) although im not feeling EMGs that much at the moment. I came from a more black metal background full circle to the 80s stuff I started with (and a bit of nile on the side....) so its back to passives for me.... but having said that, i wouldnt take the 18v 81 81 AB set up iv got on my little JSKV if you paid me! the reliability of that crushing tone and instant harmonics will always be a love of mine - but for now Im KV KE and SD :£

As for genuine jackson parts! Mate, im not sure where abouts you are but im in the fens in the UK and its impossible to score more than a knackered JS neck round here! I was approached to help on a build with a fellow speed metaller who wanted to combine the shredability of an old dk or charvel with the feel and tone of the old JTX tele body - can get tele bodies made up no problems but finding a neck has been murder! (he was after a maple 24 fret FR neck i believe?) but if your genuinely wiling to part with parts my ears are always open! ;£

Incidentally, regarding the floyd conversation, inclined to agree now im back with a genuine floyd in use.... think the takeuichi may be destined for ebay....... Its a feel and tension issue i think, i like the way it feels (even though im still on the low pro mission for now) it is clearly a more accurate and tense feel - and for that alone i admit you are definitely right!

[snake_pearson]

Thanks man! I've got a few guitars I've bought just to have, but I'm kinda getting to the point now where I'm running out of room! I've got like 15 or 16 now (which is small potatoes to some ppl) but when you have 10 giant jackson keyboard cases you start to have space issues lol.

Yeah those are my babies. I live about an hr to 2 hrs south of the Chicago burbs, so I've managed to score some sweet Craiglist finds. That red Kelly XLR I managed to snag for like $275 with the EMG 89 and an 85 already installed! They never offered that guitar in that ferrari red color; that guy actually refinished it (it was originall black) and then did the wear on it. At first I was iffy on it but I think it gives it real attitude.

I know what you mean about wanting a Kellystar. I was GASing for one for awhile and managed to find one about 2 hrs from my place for $200 with the original fitted hardshell. Turns out this thing was in a freaking PRISON for a few years and the guy was only allowed to play it once in awhile on good behavior! The cavity covers were sealed with Department of Corrections holographic security tape, but otherwise it was pristine!

Mine is a KSXT that I modded heavily, because basically a KSXT is good for the alder body, the neck, and the tuners. Pretty much everything else was crap. It was made in India, so they cheaped out on alot of dumb stuff (screws, pots, etc), so basically I gutted it, sold the original pickups (which are fairly rare Duncan Designed...they only came on this guitar) and went to town. Put in the EMG 89/81, a gotoh trem with a big brass block, new pots, switch, and jack, and BOOM! Awesome metal machine! The neck is thicker than a standard Kelly neck, but not as thick and bulky as the rest of the X series necks. The KS2 (japanese version) and KSXT (India version) have the same neck specs, so they both have shreddable necks. Pretty close to a DK2 neck if I remember correctly.

I'm in Illinois (good 'ol US of A) but I would be willing to look into shipping parts to your location. I have a jet black RR3 I just disassembled (black hardware...still have all the parts..waiting for payment on the SD JB), a DK2 neck, and various other Jackson odds and ends. What are you looking for?