Swinger-esque creation

Talk about modding or building your own guitar from scratch.
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JVG
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Swinger-esque creation

Post by JVG » Sun Jul 23, 2017 2:14 am

Here's my take on the Swinger style. It was started a couple of years ago, but didn't get played much at first because the maple neck just didn't suit it - visually or sonically. Now, with the new neck I really dig it.


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Started with a Warmoth swamp ash body. Had it made without the control cavity rout, which was added afterwards. Had the pickups routed for P90s, which I figured would give plenty of options down the track, and also allowed the angled pickups to fit in.

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Did the Mary Kaye finish myself, with spray can nitro. Pretty happy with the way it turned out, although I managed to sand through the finish in a couple of small areas on the horns. Rookie error, I know, and near impossible to touch up with this type of finish.

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The first incarnation incorporated a USACG neck that I had lying around, and a blend pot for pickup selection. Really nicely made neck (as is typical from USACG), but just didn't suit this guitar.

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The new "improved" version features a Musikraft neck, Gibson scale length. Rolled fretboard edges rule!

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Swapped the blend pot for a rotary switch pickup selector. Pickups are Dimarzio Choppers, and sound pretty good, though obviously nothing like an actual Swinger! No tone control, just the rotary switch and master volume.

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Love the "MKW" shape headstock - I think it works well with the overall design. I couldn't bring myself to do an actual Swinger style headstock. I guess I'm just not that progressive!

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If I remember correctly, the bridge is a Fender Toronado. Pickguard custom made by Pickguardian. Control plate is a standard Mustang shape, which isn't a perfect fit, but comes very close.

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I like the way the wood grain subtly shows. Mary Kaye is one of my favourite finishes.

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Can't really tell from this pic, but the fretboard is veneer style, just for the hell of it. As always (in my experience) Musikraft did a top-notch job. At some point I might chuck some single coils in there, just for variety, although I'm enjoying the Choppers at the moment.

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Rear view, for those who enjoy such things :whistle:

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Had to grind back the tuners to make them fit, as the spacing between holes is smaller than Fender standard. Turned out pretty neat, thanks to some careful work with the Dremel. I really wanted safety post tuners, why is why I went down this path.


Cheers, and thanks for checking this out!
J.
Last edited by JVG on Sun Jul 23, 2017 2:51 pm, edited 3 times in total.

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sirspens
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Re: Swinger-esque creation

Post by sirspens » Sun Jul 23, 2017 7:59 am

Very nice. Beautiful guitar.

I'm a fan of the white Mary Kaye finish, as well. You have some nice subtle grain going on there.

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sears
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Re: Swinger-esque creation

Post by sears » Sun Jul 23, 2017 8:06 am

I like it! In my right-handed prejudice I keep seeing it "my way" and thinking how cool the Swinger looks upside down.
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Re: Swinger-esque creation

Post by HNB » Sun Jul 23, 2017 10:21 am

Nice job with the design and finish. :D I am always a fan of white guitars. :D
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Re: Swinger-esque creation

Post by Fiddy » Sun Jul 23, 2017 10:59 am

Lovely.

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JVG
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Re: Swinger-esque creation

Post by JVG » Sun Jul 23, 2017 2:57 pm

sears wrote:I like it! In my right-handed prejudice I keep seeing it "my way" and thinking how cool the Swinger looks upside down.
Yup - I think this body shape would look just as good upside down too!


Thanks for the comments guys. Hopefully it's a nice interlude from the jags and jazzys (which I also love!)

J.

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Re: Swinger-esque creation

Post by s_mcsleazy » Sun Jul 23, 2017 11:05 pm

i love it. the headstock really suits the shape.
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Re: Swinger-esque creation

Post by Rgand » Thu Jul 27, 2017 8:49 am

Beautiful. I really like what you did with the finish. The headstock is a good one for that guitar. Nice choice, there.

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Re: Swinger-esque creation

Post by Supa-Stang » Fri Jul 28, 2017 4:32 am

If only Fender got it that right in the first place! Great finish and really like the way the headstock works with the body.

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Re: Swinger-esque creation

Post by JVG » Sat Jul 29, 2017 12:56 am

i think the headstock works well too. It took along time to get there, but was worth it!

With this guitar I wasn't trying make a precise swinger replica, and couldn't bring myself to do one if those ugly arrow Headstocks.

One day I was ordering another neck from Musikraft and saw the MKW shape, which started me thinking. I had to pay an upcharge to get the specs I wanted, because normally they only do the MKW neck with very specific options. I basically wanted a neck with vintage fender feel, but that headstock.

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