Speed Demon mock-up...

[Michael Ambrose]

Just a rough mock-up... but its a'comin'!

[Spud1950]

Most sweet! What brand of pickup are you using?

[Michael Ambrose]

I have a friend that works with a company called Artec, and I've really come to like a lot of their stuff... I MIGHT have a buyer lined up for it who wants Kent Armstrongs, though, so we'll see what happens.

[johnnyb]

did you ever figure out a solution to the archtop bridge on a flat top?

[cheepaxes]

[quote="Michael Ambrose"]I have a friend that works with a company called Artec, and I've really come to like a lot of their stuff... [/quote]

I've been watching Artec stuff becoming more and more available in the US over the last few months. I first discovered them while looking for an inexpensive acoustic pickup. Their undersaddle piezos are prety cheap compared to, say an equivalent Fishman product. I ended up buying a used Artec magnetic soundhole pickup for a cheap Alvarez, so I could have a spare electric-acoustic. It works OK - certainly good for what I spent for it.

I borrowed one of their overdrive pedals from a friend and thought it was OK, not great. I probably should have given it more time before passing judgement.

I've been wondering about their electric guitar pickups. There are some who wonder if Artec isn't the company that makes the pickups being sold as GFS. Any inside information on that? How do you like the P-90s?

-Scott

[Michael Ambrose]

[Michael Ambrose]

UPDATE!!

I've FINALLY had a chance to sit down and work on this guitar... after five months! (I guess thats what happens when you go to college part-time, teach privately more-than-part-time, intern at an ad agency part-time, and gig full-time!!)

Well, here's a picture of the wiring harness...



Its a three vol/three tone/five-way rotary, like I planned, only its a strat-esque configuration with Neck, Neck-mid, Mid-only, Mid-bridge, and Bridge positions... I'd wanted to find a way to work in a neck-bridge option, but I wasn't sure which mid-combo to eliminate. (I've got another Speed Demon coming in shortly, and I think this one I'm going to try and wire it for Neck, Neck-Mid, Mid-Bridge, Bridge, and Neck-Bridge... much as I actually like using a mid-position solo on these!)

Anyhoo... I'm pretty proud of this one!...

[Michael Ambrose]

Holy lordy...

I'd heard somewhere once before that Kay wired and installed their pups and electronics prior to mounting the top... and when it comes to their three-pickup models, I wouldn't doubt it in the least.

I just spend the last nearly three hours pinching and scrunching my way to installing this harness. GEEZ!

getting there, bit by bit...

tomorrow I'll install the Bigsby and string 'er up!!

[cheepaxes]

I'll be interested to see the results. :)

-Scott

[johnnyb]

id like to hear it if possible.....i can tell its already going to look great.

[Michael Ambrose]

JohnnyB... I totally missed your post before...

This is actually an arched-top model!... I have one of their "flatter" tops, also, which I've converted to a bass... and for that I used an old Supro "Thumb-screw" style bridge base.

Blaarg... life gets crazy sometimes... I STILL haven't found the time to install the Bigsby.

Soon as I do, though, I'll make a film or recording of it and post it up.

[Michael Ambrose]

[cheepaxes]

Michael,

I'm looking forward to hearing/seeing the results.

Can you make up for the difference in pickup output by adjusting the screws? Maybe by raising the bridge pup a little with a shim or something? Or would that get it too close to the strings?

I'm still halfway on the lookout for an old Harmony body like that that might work with a three bolt Harmony/Silvertone neck I took off a broken Silvertone acoustic years back.

-Scott

[ighut]

Looking forward to it also, would be nice to see one of these all modded up.
Just looking at mine makes me wonder how you managed all the wiring harness ahead of time, much less, get it in there.

[Michael Ambrose]