Clearly...Yeah, I couldn't resist the urge to make a corny almost-the-same-word joke...
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What's On Your Workbench?
- Thread starter HaMMerHeD
- Start date
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,588
- 221,964
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
One of those two matching guitars I posted several pages ago is STILL on my workbench - the one for my friend. I put Schaller Hannes piezo bridges in them. On the one hand, these are fantastic bridges. They fit very well looks-wise, the finish matches the other Schaller hardware I used (strap locks, tuners, etc), and the piezo sounds great. It gives a really nice tone that's definitely not electric-guitar sounding but also not quite fully acoustic-guitar in nature. It lands somewhere in between and is very usable.
But... there have been a lot of problems. I ordered two bridges, a chrome one for my friend's and satin pearl for mine (to match the rest of the hardware on each). The chrome one came with the wrong hardware kit in the box (not sure what the supplied hardware was for, but it was definitely not for this bridge). I contacted Schaller and they sent the correct hardware, no charge, but it took several weeks to get here. Then, when I finally got the bridge installed, two of the saddles were totally dead. I took it off and carefully inspected everything to make sure I hadn't caused any issues in the install, and to check the wiring, but there were no obvious problems. Just no signal from those saddles, even right at the saddle. So, contacted Schaller again, and they sent a new bridge. Got that one installed about a week ago, only to discover that one of the saddle height adjustment screw holes (in the graphite saddle) was totally stripped. No threads in the hole at all, the screw just bottoms out and sits there. Contacted Schaller again, and they're sending another new bridge, and told me to keep the current one as spare parts. Hopefully, third time's the charm. After all these issues, I would have a hard time using one of these bridges again, which is a shame, because they're really nice when they all work.
Other than that, the guitars turned out really nice, we're both very happy with them. Mine has since moved out to the music room. I had to put hangers on the wall because I'm finally out of rack space on the 7-slot rack!
It felt strange to put this used pickup on a new guitar, but I love the tone and I don't know what model it is so I can't just go buy a new one. I need to get some black pickup screws though.
Magnetic veneer truss rod cover!
I love the way the body shape turned out on these. Kind of like a Gibson SG and a PRS had a love child, and it came out through-neck.
But... there have been a lot of problems. I ordered two bridges, a chrome one for my friend's and satin pearl for mine (to match the rest of the hardware on each). The chrome one came with the wrong hardware kit in the box (not sure what the supplied hardware was for, but it was definitely not for this bridge). I contacted Schaller and they sent the correct hardware, no charge, but it took several weeks to get here. Then, when I finally got the bridge installed, two of the saddles were totally dead. I took it off and carefully inspected everything to make sure I hadn't caused any issues in the install, and to check the wiring, but there were no obvious problems. Just no signal from those saddles, even right at the saddle. So, contacted Schaller again, and they sent a new bridge. Got that one installed about a week ago, only to discover that one of the saddle height adjustment screw holes (in the graphite saddle) was totally stripped. No threads in the hole at all, the screw just bottoms out and sits there. Contacted Schaller again, and they're sending another new bridge, and told me to keep the current one as spare parts. Hopefully, third time's the charm. After all these issues, I would have a hard time using one of these bridges again, which is a shame, because they're really nice when they all work.
Other than that, the guitars turned out really nice, we're both very happy with them. Mine has since moved out to the music room. I had to put hangers on the wall because I'm finally out of rack space on the 7-slot rack!
It felt strange to put this used pickup on a new guitar, but I love the tone and I don't know what model it is so I can't just go buy a new one. I need to get some black pickup screws though.
Magnetic veneer truss rod cover!
I love the way the body shape turned out on these. Kind of like a Gibson SG and a PRS had a love child, and it came out through-neck.
My grandfather passed away roughly 25 years ago. My mom was going through some stored stuff this week and came across his hand tools. I never knew they were there, but now they're mine. I guess it's time to learn how to restore, sharpen and use them properly. All I needed was an excuse to learn....
Awesome! If there isnt any packed away in his stuff, pick up some Starrett Tool and Instrument Oil. Great stuff, no residue...
- Jan 26, 2014
- 768
- 1,555
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist;DNA Amplification, GHS strings
I don't have any guitars, but I broke my wooden mallet. I think I got carried away. Still deciding what to do with the handle.
WOW! You can do some serious carving with those.
My work bench is a little different. Does this count?
It is on our surface plate, which is kind of a work bench for metal things.
It is on our surface plate, which is kind of a work bench for metal things.
That guitar looks weird.
My work bench is a little different. Does this count?
View attachment 3655559
It is on our surface plate, which is kind of a work bench for metal things.
Ok. I’ll stop just lurking and admit to actually doing some things. Made a few knobs for various instruments. These are all set screw knobs. On an unrelated note, Bitterroot guitars has the inserts for knurled shaft pots, anyone have any ideas for keeping a knob on the lathe without a set screw?
Made a few knobs for various instruments. These are all set screw knobs. On an unrelated note, Bitterroot guitars has the inserts for knurled shaft pots, anyone have any ideas for keeping a knob on the lathe without a set screw?
Also, one of the guys from church says this is having electronics issues. I’ll pop the pickguard off this week. He says he installed the pickups himself. No idea if he can solder. Could be fun. 
Yeah, I'm for sure more of a metal fabricator, so my first bass build will be a journey for sure! I can do quite a bit with a stomp sheer, box brake, shrinker/stretcher, tubing bender, a welder and a cutting torch. But when someone says "Let's build a wood thing" I get a glazed over look and start searching for the nearest exit.
This was also yesterday, building trailing arms for the rear suspension on the weird looking guitar -
You can do quite a bit with stainless tubing and some bass strings.
Not bass related, but this was a fun project. My wife uses fake eyelashes that are magnetic (what a world we live in). She was complaining that they're very hard to put on because they stick to the steel tweezers she uses.
Well, I thought, that's a problem I can solve. I glued some walnut and cherry scraps together, spent 10 minute sanding, and added a 1/4" abalone dot for extra effect:
Well, I thought, that's a problem I can solve. I glued some walnut and cherry scraps together, spent 10 minute sanding, and added a 1/4" abalone dot for extra effect:
- Apr 18, 2008
- 16,007
- 1
- 31,705
- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
Those are beautiful!
But, um, does she have ferrous eyelids...?
But, um, does she have ferrous eyelids...?
That was my question when she mentioned this problem! It turns out there are two styles. One style uses eyeliner that has iron in it, so you basically paint on a magnetic line and then stick the eyelash to it. The other style comes in two pieces, one of which goes on either side of your natural lashes and they sort of clamp together onto your lashes.
I loved this project because it literally took 15 minutes yet they're functional and good looking. In terms of effort vs both usability and appearance, these are probably the most valuable thing I've ever made!
- Apr 18, 2008
- 16,007
- 1
- 31,705
- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
Not to mention the huge bucket of spousal brownie points! Spend them wisely... 
