Hello all, I was seeking advice on a new project I just started. I'm semi new to guitar modification, but I recently restored a 1485 Silvertone Amp and have experience with working on guitars. I also have a background with wood working. On that note, I was curious to get your guys option on what I should do. I purchased this guitar blind and decided to take a chance on it. It was being sold in my cousins home town, so I told him to look for a straight neck and to make sure there were no cracks. He went over there and bought the guitar ($100). Then brought it to me 3 days later. Well, it turns out it had cracks, lots of them. There's at least 5 cracks in the sides on the guitar.
It's a 1960's Kay Speed Demon. The top and the bottom on the guitar are both crack free. It's only the sides of the guitar. I really dig the look of the guitar, how it's beat up and missing paint. Eventhough the guitar has a bunch of cracks it still feels solid. It came with the tail piece, a bridge the tuners and that's about it. I would have to sink some money into this guitar, just to use it. On that note, I have a couple of questions.
1. Should I keep it? Can I sell it for any money? I dig the guitar and don't really care about the cracks but I don't want to put money into it if it's going to fall apart.
2. If I do keep it, what kind of pickups should I use? I had my heart set on using humbuckers, but the 3.5 in gap between the screw holes for the pickups say dog eared P 90s. I already have a couple of single coil guitars, I really wanted a humbucker guitar. Do you guys have any idea what would sound good with a 3 pickup configuration?
3. Can I repair the cracks? Like I said I have experience with woodworking and have made some intricate stuff. However, as far as guitars are concerned, I'm a bit of a rookie.
Just to clarify, I'm not bringing this into a shop and spending hundred of dollars on this guitar. I'm a science teacher and working on guitars/amps have become one of my hobbies. Besides, I'm a do it yourself kind of guy.
Thanks in Advance for any options. I really appreciate it.
Not exactly sure how to link picks, so here's the photobucket url to check out the pictures of it. Thanks again
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad8/uwood49/