Best Upgrades for a KE-3?

[DCZX]

I have a KE-3 from the late 90's. It's a great guitar and has a lot of senitmental value. Anyway, I want to upgrade it a little and make it more fun to play. I'm probably going to put in Seymour Duncan ahb-2 blackout metal pickups in it. Anyone have any ideas for upgrades?

[Newc]

Not sure if the route will accept a Floyd Rose, but if it will, get one. If it's too short, get the Schaller (shorter saddle-lock screws).

[MartinBarre]

I'm changing mine - putting in a JB/59 set, black hardware (it has chrome just now) and I've asked Budman to make me some black pearl pickup rings and truss rod cover. Should be sweet once it's all done!

BTW the control cavity on the KE3 is pretty tight, I'd make sure it will take a battery before you buy those Blackouts. I have a set in my RR3 but the control cavity in that is a bit bigger.

[mastershake]

Not sure if the route will accept a Floyd Rose, but if it will, get one. If it's too short, get the Schaller (shorter saddle-lock screws).

Gotoh makes some amazing tremolos, and they are a lot cheaper than an OFR.

[DonP]

I have a DK1 neck on a KE3 body. Does that count?

[Newc]

If you like ebony boards, yeah. I'd put a DK2M neck on it though. Personal preference.

[MartinBarre]

I would love a bound neck on my KE3, but the one on it has reverse sharkies but a normal headstock. It looks fantastic, apart from the lack of binding.

[thez0r]

I had a late 90's KE-3 too. I put a SH-2 in the neck and a TB4 in the bridge. I would never try any other pickup after that combo it was a pretty huge change in the sound.

I also got a big sound improvement from just changing the stock pickup selector switch.

If you are going to bother swapping the pickups I'd rewire the whole thing and while you are at it add a push-pull pot and hookup a tone control.

[Jayster]

BTW the control cavity on the KE3 is pretty tight, I'd make sure it will take a battery before you buy those Blackouts.

There's enough room, it's tight -but there's enough room.

I have a DK1 neck on a KE3 body. Does that count?

me too !!!

[destructin_od]

I have a DK1 neck on a KE3 body. Does that count?

I would like to see that. Can you post some pics if you have any?

[Jayster]

Quote:
Originally Posted by DonP
I have a DK1 neck on a KE3 body. Does that count?

me too !!! __________________ . Ok it's a dk2(?) neck I think, but same idea !




And yeah, I know I need to adjust the floyd.


sorry for lo res on this 1 old camera and currently to lazy to go take another pic.

DonP, have you a pic also ?

Jay

[DonP]

I don't have any pics handy, but it looks like your with one exception - all hardware is blacked out.

[VoiceX3]

My suggestion.....well, at least what I did to mine......

Put a DXMG neck on it, swap out the trem for a real Floyd with Schaller screws....now the cool part, put an EMG 81 in the bridge and a Bill Lawrence 500XL in the neck cavity, but put it in UPSIDE DOWN. I know, I know....active and passive don't play together. Well, I can assure you they do wired like this. Use the volume pot that comes with the EMG.....even with the passive 500XL upside down you'll find some GREAT bluesy noodle tones from it.....and the 81....well, it will sound great. You won't be disappointed.

Go ahead techs...flame away. I stand by my statement. My KE3 speaks for itself.

[MartinBarre]

Why upside down?
And why are people swapping the necks - is it just for binding? I like the neck on my KE3 and RR3.

[laihojrxo]

hey, if you like it, keep it. but based on my exp w/ ke3 and dk2, they have the same neck profile; its more about binding vs non binding.
i'd say you should swap the neck with a fusion PRO/XL or a dinky XL neck