Smaller ES-335 (ES-337?) build

JohnS37

davros said:

Well, wiring was painful, very glad it had a side mounted jack so I could get my fingers in. Long pots were just a smidge too big, should have used medium length. Very annoyed that I managed to take 2 chunks out of the f hole with a screwdriver trying to move the parts into position but they should drop fill nicely.

I haven't decided whether to use the pickguard yet but leaning toward yes. I need to slim it a little as it's about 5mm wider than I'd like.

So, left to do is fixing the 2 dings, pickguard rtimming and fitting, a proper setup and aging the pickups to match the other hardware (I wanted to make sure I like them first - Oil City Forces Sweethearts).

But first some NGD porn. I'll post a proper NGD thread in the guitar board when fully complete.

What does tFB think, pickguard on or off?

Looks totally fab!
Pickguard always off for me, on a 335.

WezV

Pickguard, but reduce the size a bit

Teyeplayer

Another one for the pickguard here. Love the black top, natural back! 

Andyjr1515

Top class

downbytheriver

Wonderful - definitely guard on 

stickyfiddle

Fantastic job all round! Pick guard definitely on, bit a few mm off the width would be a big improvement. 

I know the pain of wiring - I’ve done my 336 a couple of times and it’s a complete pain..

Roland

On. I like the way the curve of the pickguard edge picks out the white binding.

davros

I've trimmed the pickguard this morning, much better I think

SteveRobinson

That's a truly superb build. 

digitalkettle

davros said:

I've trimmed the pickguard this morning, much better I think...

Just right!

stickyfiddle

Updated guard is perfect. Though I must admit I just spotted the top strap button - that just doesn't work..!! :P 

davros

Thanks for the nice comments, doing some fettling today and am going to fit the pickguard.

@stickyfiddle I'm afraid I have to disagree! The heel strap button annoys me on an es-335, in fact it was one of the reasons I built one myself, so I could add a block in that area to take a screw. But each to their own 

Teyeplayer

I’m in awe, just a fantastic build. Looks utterly incredible.

davros

Fettling issue #1. Due to some luck with the neck angle, the bridge is nice and low. Unfortunately that means the posts are poking up and are uncomfortable when playing. These are Faber posts with the threaded post fixed to a nashville style insert, so unlike a regular ABR post, I can't just screw it further into the body.

These are them: https://www.gluedtomusic.com/products/2488/faber-insert-nashville-conversion-studs-aged-relic-nickel-imperial-inch/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAgP6PBhDmARIsAPWMq6mMSMuVDd4IzqZWgNj00-8BCgX8DB-aTpRuqW-wDpD0ioSMUnviL0oaAokyEALw_wcB

As I can't get the insert out of the body now (without loads of damage), I'm thinking of cutting the excess off with a dremel and smoothing it off. I knew that will mean there will be no plating on the cut surface, but I can't think of a better option.

Any better ideas?

PhilKing

That really does look great.  Are there any alternative posts for the inserts that might be a bit lower?

davros

The posts and inserts are one unit, unfortunately

WezV

I would just trim, round over the end and polish it up.

Danielsguitars

davros said:

Thanks for the nice comments, doing some fettling today and am going to fit the pickguard.

@stickyfiddle I'm afraid I have to disagree! The heel strap button annoys me on an es-335, in fact it was one of the reasons I built one myself, so I could add a block in that area to take a screw. But each to their own 

I agree about the strap buttons, I had a friend tell me my dc junior paisley shouldn't have a horn strap button, obviously I just ignored him, they're a pain stuck on the heel.

davros

My DC jr also has the strap button on the horn.

The heel strap button moves the whole guitar to the right and makes it tip forward (when you have a gut like me). Much prefer it on the horn, although not attempted it for anything as pointy as an SG!

matt_sefton

Pickguard on. Beautiful guitar