| Author |
Message |
    
Mrdiamond
Username: Mrdiamond
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 - 9:53 am: | |
In a recent excavation to the darkest pits of my basement I dared venturing into a particular dark area and unearthed my first axe - my 1976 Ibanez Firebird, purchased in 1978.
As a result, I have decided to make yon 'Bird playable again and am seeking information from the wise of this community. Any and all info is greatly appreciated.
ITEM 1
At one point in my youth I decided to take my first step towards EVH Emulation as I departed from Allen Collins emulation which placed the Bird in my paws in the first place. I hade the bridge pickup replaced with a DiMarzio PAF (cease screaming now) and at some point ripped the pup out. What is left is a gaping hole in need a of new puppy.
Have been a long time EMG man (81's and SAs) but want something different for yon Bird. Hence I ask, what replacements pickups have found there way into your beloved Bird? I would love to find out what David Hidalgo used in his Bird on the Crossroads DVD but all queries into that topic have been to no avail. So... whacha got?
ITEM 2
Again in the days of youth (what better way to lay blame on myself) I attempted to clean the bridge pickup cover and frame with a solution my Pop had. This evil solution has uglified said pickup and cover to a state that can only be called "Fugly". Part of this rebuild plan will include fugly hardware. Am assuming Gibson replacements will do just fine but Mr. Unger taught me many years ago about the dangers of 'assuming". Any info appreciated.
ITEM 3
The young Mr. Diamond at some point during an EVH/Hendrix/Downing moment seems to have snapped the whammy off the beloved Bird... hence Item 3 once again partains to replacement parts.
The bird has been the one of my 16 guitars that has not see active duty in mnay years. As I have returned to my blues & classic/southern rock roots I need to get the Bird flying again.
Speak to me Brothers of the Bird! Sisters too if you're out there...
Thanks,
Mr. Diamond |
Harry
Username: Harry
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 - 2:59 pm: | |
Please, donīt you dare to post a picture.....
We might die from a heart-attack...
Harry |
Sixvsix
Username: Sixvsix
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 - 5:56 pm: | |
I only hope its a bolt neck model and not a never seen before, didn't know they made one, well there's another surprise... thru-neck! 
six |
Mrdiamond
Username: Mrdiamond
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 - 6:30 pm: | |
LOL! Yup it's a bolt on and trust me I think of that routing fairly often. No worries about cardiacs... I thought about that when I posted.
Thank God I had the sense to abandon the fleeting idea I once had of a Kahler on my '81 Les Paul Custom. I was old enough to realize that one, too young in regards to the Firebird.
Especially considering the Gibson snobs who constantly hammered me in my youth. |
Mrdiamond
Username: Mrdiamond
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 - 10:18 pm: | |
From deep in the pit he called out: "HELLLOOOOOOO OUT THERE!!!!!!!!".
He sat in Desolation & Despair - on the corner of Tired & Confused. He wondered... no prayed for help from a stranger. Would there be an answer? |
Munch
Username: Munch
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, October 25, 2007 - 6:58 am: | |
Hi Mr Diamond,
I have an unmolested Ibanez Firebird and can attest to how great these guitars sound. I can fully understand your desire to get her rockin' once again.
My recommendation is to source a replica Vibrato handle from All Parts. I had to get one myself and was very happy with their part.
As for the rear pickup issue, I wouldn't try going back to a mini-humbucker. I would recommend a visit to TV Jones' website. He specialises in Gretsch pickups and I think a nice filtertron would suit the guitar perfectly from both an aesthetic and aural perspective.
TV makes a filtertron in a Gibson humbucker sized cover & baseplate called the TV'tron. This would be a drop in replacement for you. I have a set of these in an '80's Ibanez Archtop.
He also makes a traditional filtertron with a modified baseplate and Gretch style pickup surround that is suited to Gibson sized humbucker cavities too. I think this is called the English mount and would again drop right in.
Personally, I'd go for the English Mount Filtertron Classic Plus.
Hit his website and have a look around: www.tvjones.com
Cheers,
Mark |
Sixvsix
Username: Sixvsix
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, October 25, 2007 - 8:02 am: | |
Munch
I've just picked up some TV Jones Filtertrons off ebay for a project. Not sure what project yet but I heard a guy with a set in a Tomkins guitar when were were playing at the Deni Ute Muster and they sounded very very good. I mean 'he' was very very good too but you could hear the sweetness in the pickup. Very cool
Looking forward to seeing you in Dec. I have your T-shirt orders off El Capitan 
six |
Fox
Username: Fox
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, October 25, 2007 - 8:44 am: | |
'Allo Mr. Diamond! What are you doin' down there??
So, to the point: You have a Firebird with full-sized pickup rout at the bridge position, am I right? Try to find a flat-covered humbucker (no visible polepieces) with matching metal ring, guess they can be purchased eg. from StewMac or some other music store.. Another route to proceed is to restore the cavity back to accept a mini-bucker, be it DiMarzio or Gibby or somethin' suitable. This needs the patch to be refinished, though..
regards fox
*jumps merrily around the pit* |
Roland_g303
Username: Roland_g303
Registered: 5-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, October 25, 2007 - 9:16 am: | |
The TV Jones pickups are awesome. They're the only ones Setzer will allow to be used in his signature models. I also dig the standard filtertrons as well. They're in my Silver Jet and I think they sound great too. I believe the TV Jones have a little more output than a traditional filtertron.
Patrick |
Mrdiamond
Username: Mrdiamond
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Monday, October 29, 2007 - 3:06 pm: | |
Good God almighty! This is the kind of feedback I was counting on! I stand - nay, sit - stunned at the references to TV Jones as those pups crossed my mind over the weekend. This can only be a sign - and not one to run through.
Also, thanks for the ref on the bar - though it will likely be cosmetic as my whammy activity has declined - he typed remembering the 5 Kahlers he has installed on other guitars.
Thanks my Ibanbrothez. Will keep you posted on the exciting events. May your 'birds fly proud. |
Mrdiamond
Username: Mrdiamond
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Monday, October 29, 2007 - 10:23 pm: | |
Hmmm... dreams of a Powertron plus dance through my head. Wonder how that would sound... |
Munch
Username: Munch
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 12:08 am: | |
Well, the normal Powertron is supposed to sound like a '59 PAF with added Gretsch sparkle. I would think a Powertron+ is going to be more Gibsonish. personally i wouldn't go any hotter than a standard Powertron if I was intending to have a good match with the existing neck pickup.
Cheers,
Mark |
Munch
Username: Munch
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 4:57 am: | |
Mrdiamond,
In thinking about the best way to kit out your guitar, I would go for the Filtertron Classic+ with English mount 1. I would then go to the trouble of tracking down a chrome pickup ring. This way, you have two pickups of mostly similar physical size, fairly similar sonically, and both with chrome coloured surrounds.
Cheers,
Mark |
Mrdiamond
Username: Mrdiamond
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 11:25 am: | |
Good Info Munch. I need to get my hands on a couple of Gretsch's and give 'em a good spanking so I can get get an idea of what I want. Got to thinking about the Filtertron Classic + last night.
Thanks for the insight. |