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August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | I finally finished something with the pile of parts I had laying around... If you recall, I picked up a Viper last year with non original cheap pups, crappy tuners, a broken pickguard and some electronic mods.
She now has original pups, tuners and the MWoody "blender" mod. Volume and Tone pots are original. Got a new pickguard as well. I rewired the whole thing and shielded it properly. The setup is good, as well as the intonation. I still have to fix the broken ear and it's got a few minor dings, but I really just wanted to play it.
I now see what all the hubbub is about with the Viper. This thing sounds great! The range of sounds that comes out of it are amazing - especially with the blender. The neck is really easy to play as well. I don't remember my Preacher sounding anything like this. I'd love to get my hands on a tube amp to play it through.
This is the before pic:
I swapped out the neck with another one. The one I put on has the flamed maple, which better matches the body. I'll post new pics in the next day or so.
Up next... Preacher Deluxe 12 string. |
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January 2007
Posts: 672
Location: New South Wales, Australia | Looking forward to seeing the finished result CL. I'd love to get my hands on one of those but I don't think they even exist down here |
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March 2006
Posts: 1634
Location: Chehalis, Washington | You never know...they pop up all over the place every now and then.
Nice work, CL. I absolutely love my Viper, and recently upgraded from a little Marshall SS amp to a Fender Blues Jr. all-tube...all I can say is WOW! The sounds that these Vipers put out is nothing short of incredible. If any major names in the music industry ever get a hold of one of these and figure out what they're really capable of, Gibson is toast! ;) |
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July 2005
Posts: 3410
Location: GA USA | Awesome, Crim! I love the nutmeg/maple combo. Up next, Preacher? Don't leave Nicky hanging on his Deacon. |
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November 2006
Posts: 2241
Location: Simpsonville, SC | Looking good Crimson! I took my Viper to a local luthier for a little checkup and got some new slinky strings put on it and the intonation, neck and electronics checked. He was amazed with the condition and Tele tone. He especially liked the sound from the front pickup.
If you remember, the wind and poor stand placement caused it to take a front flop to the cement at the Southern Jam, a few new character marks where added but it didn't suffer from any real damage. The Viper is a real treat to play.
Hope you have a great time with yours. Maybe you can find another one and give it a great, wild paint job or finish for Nicky. I am sure he will be happy to contribute to it.
Regards to the both of you...Jim |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Way to go Mikey!
The Blender pot vs. 3-way is a must. I have a set of Viper pups wired to new pots but using the original caps. It is headed for DVD's BW/Limited/Viper/PD project.
Hurry up with those pictures, will ya? |
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Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Thanks guys.
Woody - how much of a difference in the sound (if any) does using different POTS make?
Jim - I remember the wind and what it did to the Viper... ouch! I have stuff lined up for Nicky. He's enjoying his T too much now. He loves it everytime he sees his name mentioned here. We were up at my in-laws in NY and showed everyone Jas' youtube videos of the jam. Nice!
Jas - he'll have to fight me for the Deacon! |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Hi Nicky!
The pot change doesn't make it any different - except that the ones I got were scratchy and not taken care of so they had to go. The real magic is from the Capacitators and, of course the Pups themselves. I use the Stewmac 250 for Viper and 500 for HB's. They solder on the body nicely as well.
There are many discussions at other boards over ratings and physical characteristics of capacitators but I believe the early Kaman Engineers knew what they were doing.
Nearly finished
Wiring of the Pots
Wiring |
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Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Have you checked to see if the mothership has a supply of vintage caps?
Nice work on the BWLVPD project! |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 1374
| well... here's where I'm at on the Bluebird/UKXII
all the color coats(sapphire metallic, green trans, then blue trans.. and fairydust are done...couple coats of poly to set the flake(gold, chrome, blue, green, and pearl) gonna wait 4-5 days for curing.. to mirror sand, then compound, then do the stencils, and then a couple more coats of gloss poly..
don't think I did too bad for a rookie... all poof can.. all coats wetsanded back..
Glenn |
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Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Glenn - looks like a pretty darned good match to the headstock! What did you use for the flakes? I may need something like that for one of the projects.
Nice job!
Mike |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 1374
| just went to the local arts and crafts store..
in the kids crafts section they had several choices... I chose the finest/smallest grain that they had....came in a package with 6 small vials of chrome, gold, pearl, green, blue, and red..
made sure I tested the flake in the various paints and finishes first to see if it broke down or changed when it got hit with the solvents in the spray...
mixed up the colors in a new glass salt shaker with a metal cap... taped over all but one row of 3 holes.. and then dusted it over the dry and buffed clearcoat... made sure I was in good light stepped back a few feet and compared it to the flake on the headstock... if it was too heavy just blow some off lightly... when it looks close.. shoot over it with some clear gloss poly to seal.. did the back first, then the sides/edges... and finished with the front.
turned out much better than I had hoped I could do.. and wasn't that tough... the toughest part is waiting for the coats to cure.. and sanding/buffing them back down... plus it's been raining every day here for a week with the humidity through the roof... so took a LOOOOONG time to set-up hard. I'm gonna give it at least 4 days before I do anything else..
a nice set of sanding sponges and foam sheets in various fine to ultra-fine grits make it easier too...
where's the after pics at Mike? Looking forward to them.
all of the color finish is Testors poly enamel from the local model/hobby shop.. and topped with Minwax Hi-Gloss Poly.. all spray can..
Glenn |
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November 2006
Posts: 2241
Location: Simpsonville, SC | Glenn..looks like a fine and steady hand. I admire your creativeness! |
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Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Here's a couple of pics - more in the gallery under "CL Viper".
I still have to do some finish work to it - eventually refinish it. I'm also going to mess with the electronics a little more - hence the long string ends. I love the grain in the body and neck.
And here's a little teaser for the PD 12 String:
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one that decided their Mid-life crisis would be to work in the Shop and create musical stuff. Great work from all of you.
Wannabe Luthier GAS... |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 1374
| Originally posted by MWoody:
I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one that decided their Mid-life crisis would be to work in the Shop and create musical stuff. Great work from all of you.
Wannabe Luthier GAS... mid-life??..... OHHHH CRAPPP! :eek: another 40 or 50 years? :(
gotta buy more stringswings... :D
Thanks Woody.... btw Happy Belated B'day.
Glenn |
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Viper... wow!