I've been inspired...

[plfffffft]

by bobvex to completely pimp out my Randy Rhoads. It's a Korean or somethin model, and it's in dire need of some mosifications. Here's a list of things I'm planning to do to it:

New neck. My current neck is a 22-fret, maple/rosewood, dot inlay. I'm going for a 24 fret neck with either the sharkfin inlays or a custom inlay.

New hardware I'm planning on replacing my black hardware, pickguard and Liscensed Floyd with either chrome or gold, depending on what kind of finish I wind up putting on the thing.

New finish Right now, it's a Trans Blue top with black back and sides. I'm thinking of refinishing it in black with gold or silver pinstripes or bevels. Haven't decided yet.

New pickups a given. Haven't decided on Duncans or EMGs yet.


That's all I can think of so far. Basically, I figure it'll be a lot cheaper and more rewarding if I do all these mods myself(with help, of course) than if I get a custom Rhoads made. Have you guys got any advice on how to do some of this stuff, or know of any places where I can get parts? Besides Warmoth, I'm trying to shop around.

And have any of you done anything as radical as this to your guitars? how did it come out?

 

[Darthlardo]

this is something I need to try. Cant be hard....

 

[Leper_/-\ffinity]

Well, you should definitely get an OFR for that thing, that would really help, and the new neck is definitely a good idea, and pickups as well. For all of this stuff I recommend ebay, because there you will find rare stuff, for cheap prices. I think the three that I mentioned should be your priority, and after it plays as good as it can, then start worrying about the cosmetics. Good Luck!

 

[plfffffft]

I've decided on black with blue pinstripes, instead of gold or silver. Either that or the Eddie Van Halen finish in black and blue, cuz that would look just awesome.

I just wish I could get blue hardware for the thing

 

[plfffffft]

Hmmm, another idea. I'm thinking of using this guitar for standard C, so if I get a new neck made, what would be a good scale length? Obviously somewhere between a standard neck and baritone, but does anyone have any ideas as to exact measurements? that would be a huge help.

 

[Lev]

And have any of you done anything as radical as this to your guitars?

slammed my $50 Samick on stage

how did it come out?

in quite a few pieces

 

[Sunbane]

A few things to consider regarding neck swaps:

When you swap the neck, pay attention to the number of frets and the scale length. Since your Rhoads was built for a 22-fret neck, it won't take just any 24-fretter without modification. A 24-fret neck is longer than a 22-fret of the same scale length - so if you just slap it on there, you'd end up with a guitar that won't intonate, since the 12th fret would no longer be at the center of the strings.

If you get a Jackson 24-fret neck, you'd thus have to make the neckpocket deeper to get the neck in a correct position. The neck would then intrude into the neck pickup route, so you'd have to sacrifice the neck pickup, and it would look like a hack job unless you plugged the pickup route with wood/filler and refinished the guitar. You'd also have to redrill the holes for the neck screws for the new neck position.

Your safest bet would probably be a Warmoth standard length neck with the 24-fret fretboard (the one with the huge fretboard overhang) - you'd still have to sacrifice the neck pup, but you wouldn't have to deepen the neckpocket and redrill the mounting holes. I don't know whether the Warmoth neck profiles are anywhere close to the Jackson ones though.

'bane

 

[bobvex]

Im flattered pffffft

If anyone is trying to modify their guitars for anything, I recommend a book for everyone, its called Make Your Own Electric Guitar by Melvyn Hiscock. Its a great book and teaches you everything on how to modify your guitar, to building a guitar from scratch.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0953104907/002-8289550-1434447?v=glance

 

[Leper_/-\ffinity]

Hey Bobvex, ever been to the site www.projectguitar.com ? Im pretty sure that this site has all that book has, plus forums to ask VERY experienced custom guitar builders about what you are doing, it's where I always refer to, and it has never failed me.