routing a lp junior for a neck pickup

Strangefan

@gazrichards @ICBM brillaint guys very useful, I think I may see who's local to get it done

I don't want more than 2 guitars, so it's either sell this one (way too much hassle) or mod it 

gazrichards

Strangefan said:

@gazrichards @ICBM brillaint guys very useful, I think I may see who's local to get it done

I don't want more than 2 guitars, so it's either sell this one (way too much hassle) or mod it 

It’s not going to be a cheap mod. And making th pickguard not be ugly (subjective I know) will be tricky. Look at those new juniors that Gibson do with the massive pickguard. Obviously done so they only have to rout from the top and keep costs down but it makes a but ugly guitar. 

Another switching option would be a blend type pot or switch dial instead of a 3 way switch. Would keep the look and negate the need for further routing to allow for the switch. 

Again, having said all that, I wouldn’t do it. Try the double pickup special

TTBZ

Or swap it for my SG  

Strangefan

gazrichards said:

Strangefan said:

@gazrichards @ICBM brillaint guys very useful, I think I may see who's local to get it done

I don't want more than 2 guitars, so it's either sell this one (way too much hassle) or mod it 

It’s not going to be a cheap mod. And making th pickguard not be ugly (subjective I know) will be tricky. Look at those new juniors that Gibson do with the massive pickguard. Obviously done so they only have to rout from the top and keep costs down but it makes a but ugly guitar. 

Another switching option would be a blend type pot or switch dial instead of a 3 way switch. Would keep the look and negate the need for further routing to allow for the switch. 

Again, having said all that, I wouldn’t do it. Try the double pickup special

Special would be the ideal.... Alas not many  around 

Strangefan

TTBZ said:

Or swap it for my SG  

I traded an SG standard for this I'd only consider a p90 so tbh 

ICBM

gazrichards said:

It’s not going to be a cheap mod. And making th pickguard not be ugly (subjective I know) will be tricky.

I would simply cut it neatly around the dogear cover and put the screws in the new corners.

I would choose a dogear P90 precisely because it would avoid making a new pickguard to support a smaller pickup - and because it's 'right' for a Junior, if anything is. (Ignoring Lennon-tribute Charlie Christian conversions, anyway .)

gazrichards said:

Another switching option would be a blend type pot or switch dial instead of a 3 way switch. Would keep the look and negate the need for further routing to allow for the switch.

A standard toggle should fit, I think - either a Schaller-type shallow one, possibly set at 45º to the knobs, or I'm pretty sure a full-height Switchcraft will just go into a Junior body, especially if you use the 'flat' nut rather than the 'recessed' one.

gazrichards said:

Again, having said all that, I wouldn’t do it. Try the double pickup special

I probably wouldn't either, although I understand the not wanting to sell and buy two guitars...

If you can be bothered I really would try an EQ pedal first too.

Iamnobody

A cheap mod might be to throw a 50s loom in and see if you can get a better response out the vol/tone.

Adding another pickup (I’m told) will change the character of a junior. 

Strangefan

Anyone got a les paul special??.. 

Philly_Q

Strangefan said:

Anyone got a les paul special??.. 

Yes, thanks for asking. 

Strangefan

Philly_Q said:

Strangefan said:

Anyone got a les paul special??.. 

Yes, thanks for asking. 

Philly_Q

^ That does look slightly like me as a child.  Only slightly.

To come back to your question, did you want a measurement or something, or were you contemplating giving up the modding plan and replacing the Junior with a Special?

PhilKing

I've got both.  @WezV ;;is just making me a custom DC that uses a bridge and middle humbucker (though it also has a maple neck).  It's based on a guitar I used to have in the late 70's.  Here's what I have with P-90's now:

monoamine

Any of those vintage? Nice collection, I am jealous.

Strangefan

Philly_Q said:

^ That does look slightly like me as a child.  Only slightly.

To come back to your question, did you want a measurement or something, or were you contemplating giving up the modding plan and replacing the Junior with a Special?

Well I wanted to know the viability and cost, it seems less cash than forking put for a special, with the Jr as a part x, so I'm 5050 about which way to go.

Pros for mods I get to keep an awesome playing guitar and have a potentially fantastic sounding all rounder, 
For around the £235 Mark, 

Cons, I'm not bothered about originality but others are so it would be a hard sell whe I choose to move it on.

Pros for the special, no modding required, 

Cons the Jr would have to go towards it cash wise, 
Which means trade px  for a  lacquered special would be few and far between, I'd have to deal with tyre kickers etc. 
If I part exed in a shop then I'd be shafted money wise

You can see the conundrum 

Strangefan

@PhilKing what a collection,! 

p90fool

I think the best looking solution which fits the style would be a Melody Maker style neck pickup, you'd only need a slight wider scratchplate. 

Any flat pole Strat pickup with a blank black cover would do. 

ICBM

The most minimal routing of all would be a Nighthawk middle pickup, but I still don’t think it would be entirely within the outline of the pickguard.

grungebob

Don’t Gordon Smith make a GS 1.5 that’s essentially what you’re looking for, I’d imagine can be had reasonably 2nd hand

ICBM

grungebob said:

Don’t Gordon Smith make a GS 1.5 that’s essentially what you’re looking for, I’d imagine can be had reasonably 2nd hand

Having played a couple of these I would rout the Gibson...!

Andy79

It’s hardly sacrilege, not as if your fitting a Bigsby