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#292033 - 20/01/12 03:13 PM
Guitar kit maker
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luthier
Be Nice (I'm New!)
Registered: 20/01/12
Posts: 7
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Hello U Lot. New member (not exactly IT savvy, but here goes). Back in 1997 I used to make and sell 'everything included' DIY guitar rewire kits called the eVe Custom 13 and Custom 12 for 3 p.u. and 2 p.u. Guitars (singles and humbuckers in various forms/makes). Had excellent reviews from people like guitar Mag and sold successfully all over the UK including Jersey and Guernsey at between £39 and £49 retail (could now probably do it much cheaper direct) but then lost the use of both arms and had to pack it in. Am now retired, but it seems people are still trying to find my mini-toggle kits, even in America! - Should I have another go?? Your comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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#292034 - 20/01/12 04:07 PM
Re: Guitar kit maker
[Re: luthier]
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Ape09090
Old Timer
Registered: 01/12/11
Posts: 1197
Loc: South Wales
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Sorry to hear about you losing the use of your arms,I hope some recovery is possible for you.
Umm,yes you should and you have the perfect partner in myself,I've been so tempted just lately to bulk order some CTS pots in from America and only today I'm considering a bulk purchase of PIO caps from Russia or a federated state.
You can get a strat re-wire kit on Ebay from as little as £17 now although you'd have to be wary of component quality at that price.
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#292036 - 20/01/12 04:38 PM
Re: Guitar kit maker
[Re: Ape09090]
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Megi
Old Timer
Registered: 08/07/11
Posts: 1281
Loc: Lincolnshire
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If I'm honest, I would be unlikely to buy such a kit - I enjoy planning my own circuit mods, and sourcing the parts I need on the web (or Maplins!). I've learnt enough about guitar electronics to be able to do this.
BUT, I do get the impression that many guitarists have an axe or 2 that they are not quite happy with, would like to be able to modify to their requirements, and would probably welcome kits that make the job easy. They just want some simple "connect this bit to this bit" type instructions, get the job done as easily as possible, and get back to playing their improved guitar quickly. So yes, it could be worth you having another go with the kits IMO!
Edited by Megi (20/01/12 04:39 PM)
_________________________
Graham, jazz guitar nut!
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#292042 - 20/01/12 08:18 PM
Re: Guitar kit maker
[Re: Megi]
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luthier
Be Nice (I'm New!)
Registered: 20/01/12
Posts: 7
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Not sure if your comment was regarding my post this afternoon, but yes, my kits came with TOTAL instruction, spare connecting wire, solder, and all necessary bits including diagrams (guitar mag gave it best possible praise for the quality of this at the time). The Custom 13 would give at least 13 preset phase and antiphase mixes in any combination on 3pu Guitars (Strat styles etc incl.humbucks), and the Custom 12 would give at least 12 preset tones from any 2xdouble coil (Gibson etc). They all used long life mini toggles a bit like the dated 'Mighty Mite' but fitted perfectly into the original selector mounting holes, so no excess butchery!!
Any comment? Regards, nickr888
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#292043 - 20/01/12 08:36 PM
Re: Guitar kit maker
[Re: luthier]
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Megi
Old Timer
Registered: 08/07/11
Posts: 1281
Loc: Lincolnshire
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Hi Nick, yes I was just commenting on your kits as far as I was able to, not having come across the original ones in the '90's. From your further description they really do sound great and very well designed, I'm sure there must be a market for this still - guitar modding seems to be more popular than ever these days. As I said before, I don't think I would be a customer (although you never know) but that's just me - I'm sure there would be lots of guitarists into the idea.
_________________________
Graham, jazz guitar nut!
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#292054 - 21/01/12 02:03 PM
Re: Guitar kit maker
[Re: Ape09090]
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luthier
Be Nice (I'm New!)
Registered: 20/01/12
Posts: 7
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I've just typed all this once, and somehow lost it all, so I'll be brief!. The Custom 12 and 13 kits were all inclusive kits (even a mini selector cover plate, solder, spare wire, and all necessary nuts/washers etc) that gave a minimum of 12 or 13 preset tones on a mini-toggle block that fitted exactly in the selector space and used the existing holes, so no body butchery involved. guitar Mag said it contained the best and clearest instructions they'd ever seen, but it definately wasn't the type of 'pots and switch' kit you'd find on Ebay for £17. - Losing the use of my arms only lasted about a year thank god, but long enough to kill the business. Shame!! I still have a copy of the old review somewhere if anyone is interested.
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#292055 - 21/01/12 02:34 PM
Re: Guitar kit maker
[Re: luthier]
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Ape09090
Old Timer
Registered: 01/12/11
Posts: 1197
Loc: South Wales
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#292061 - 21/01/12 11:05 PM
Re: Guitar kit maker
[Re: Ape09090]
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Tinyghost
Professional Forumite!
Registered: 21/11/10
Posts: 660
Loc: Kent
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Yes do it.
I'm a bit like Megi, i like to make Guitars for myself (doing the woodwork too).Plus for me, that's way too many tonal options to play with.
But over the last year or so I've had lots of people ask me to mod electrics (which is my weaker area).
I think it would be a good time, more players want to "have a go" at tweaking their tone and exploring (even though WE all know it comes from the playing :)).
How much could you sell kits for?
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#292073 - 22/01/12 12:14 AM
Re: Guitar kit maker
[Re: Tinyghost]
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Ape09090
Old Timer
Registered: 01/12/11
Posts: 1197
Loc: South Wales
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I want to buy some CTS pots ,can't find them for less than £4 a pop,if anyone can point me in the right direction for a better deal than that it would be appreciated.
I get the feeling if I bought 100 they could cost me a quid each or less I just have to get around to actually e-mailing CTS in the US
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#292092 - 22/01/12 01:09 PM
Re: Guitar kit maker
[Re: Ape09090]
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luthier
Be Nice (I'm New!)
Registered: 20/01/12
Posts: 7
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Sorry about this, I'm rusty to say the least. What do you mean by CTS pots (centre-tap?? or am I missing the point?)
Now you know I haven't done any wiring since '97!!
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