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Skev · May 8th, 2012, 01:09 AM

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzwSrhdHdUs

Here another sound entirely realized with the vette

fishmusic · May 12th, 2012, 10:55 PM

I finally have the pick guard in place. Thanks go to Paul Setzer for doing a great job. Here is picture of the finished pick guard in place.

drmilktruck · May 12th, 2012, 11:05 PM

Looking great!

Skev · May 13th, 2012, 01:58 AM

Wonderful!! Good job for both of you! Have you try it?

Helloid · May 13th, 2012, 07:00 PM

Just HAVING the Burns is huge. I would toss a Gibson arm on it or something, just to try it.

fishmusic · May 13th, 2012, 10:42 PM

Strung it up today and it played nicely. A bit if a problem with the tone pot when I go to the bass end the sound breaks up. I will open it up again to see if there is anything touching and if not I will clean the pot.

fishmusic · May 13th, 2012, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helloid

Just HAVING the Burns is huge. I would toss a Gibson arm on it or something, just to try it.

Actually I plan on getting a Burns arm. I can get the stainless steel version (not the Gretsch version) from Burns for about $125. Will save my pennies and count on Birthdays to pay for it.

Aside from that I can try to fabricate one from carbon steel. I did use a screwdriver to try the tremolo (not enough space to get any good stuff going).

Skev · May 14th, 2012, 11:38 AM

I don t think you have a big issue with the pot, it is probably a bit dirty, that s all. Does the neck pu sound jazzy? I mean a smooth jazzy tone?!

fishmusic · May 15th, 2012, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skev

I don t think you have a big issue with the pot, it is probably a bit dirty, that s all. Does the neck pu sound jazzy? I mean a smooth jazzy tone?!

I will try to get a recording of the different tones. You will have to forgive my playing, though. I am the patron saint of mediocre blues guitarists.

Skev · May 15th, 2012, 11:51 PM

Am i jimi hendrix?!

we dont care : we all have our own level on that forum, i am regularly surprised by the good playing of other members...and feel ashamed about mine!!

Skev · May 18th, 2012, 11:39 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOGytYFl0o0&feature...

hi fish, another stuff with the 65

fishmusic · September 13th, 2012, 11:05 PM

It's been a while since I visited. Been making friends with the 'Vette.

What I have learned is it needs to be re-fretted and I have an estimate from Mark Erlewine here in Austin (no relation to Dan that I know of). Expensive so I must save my pennies. The fret height only measured .025 inches, about .65mm and they are flat on top. Makes it difficult to play. This takes second priority because my '54 Gibson ES125 needs frets first.

I have asked TV Jones about refurbishing the pick ups because the pole screws are frozen and the tones across the strings are pretty uneven. They will refurbish them and replace the covers with new shiny ones.

It needs to have new tuning heads. The originals are starting to fall apart so I will stray from vintage in order to make it a more playable instrument. In the end that's what it's about.

Skev · September 14th, 2012, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishmusic

It's been a while since I visited. Been making friends with the 'Vette.

What I have learned is it needs to be re-fretted and I have an estimate from Mark Erlewine here in Austin (no relation to Dan that I know of). Expensive so I must save my pennies. The fret height only measured .025 inches, about .65mm and they are flat on top. Makes it difficult to play. This takes second priority because my '54 Gibson ES125 needs frets first.

I have asked TV Jones about refurbishing the pick ups because the pole screws are frozen and the tones across the strings are pretty uneven. They will refurbish them and replace the covers with new shiny ones.

It needs to have new tuning heads. The originals are starting to fall apart so I will stray from vintage in order to make it a more playable instrument. In the end that's what it's about.

Hi!! Nice to have news! I m in the same case, i bought another vette (a 64) a few month ago, and i got to change frettes, and well, it s very expensive!! Marlin made his hilos rewound at 4,3 ohm by Lindy Franlin , i made the same for one of my hilo's it cost me 50€ , and the result is awesome!! The second hilo will have the same treatment, i also built a bar bridge close to original specs, i made it in stainless steel : the sustain is twice better and the sound is still bright. I will make a second one for the other vette.

Robert Bickford · September 14th, 2012, 04:12 AM

How much was the fret quote ? Some luthiers are getting super pricey . The guitar looks great good work . Bick

Robert Bickford · September 14th, 2012, 04:14 AM

If you can get to southern Maine I could help .

PeteRFNY · May 20th, 2013, 01:25 PM

Hello - this is my first post here! I did a Google search for "restoring a Gretsch Corvette". I own a 1966 Corvette and unfortunately it sat in the case in a basement (not where it was supposed to be stored) for a long period of time and when I finally went to open the case there was green oxidation on all the metal parts, the pickguard was cracked like a windshield and pickups look like they may be shot.

I'll post some pictures of it...it's in sad shape. Worst part is I don't really have a lot of money to spend on restoring it, so any tips for fixing it up on the cheap would be greatly appreciated!

I am at work so I have not gone through this entire thread yet but sure will tonight!

I just finished getting my also-stored-in-a-basement '67 sunburst Double Anniversary back into playing shape (it's like catching up with an old friend again!), but that was a piece of cake compared to what the Corvette looks like. *Sigh".

Thanks, all!

Skev · May 20th, 2013, 01:29 PM

Hello! I m a vintage corvette fan! I only play on vintage Vette ( the one pu model) i ve a 65' and a 64'. I will do my best to help you.

Skev · May 20th, 2013, 01:31 PM

Hi ! I ll do my best to help you!

Skev · May 20th, 2013, 01:31 PM

Hi ! I will do my best to help you !

Skev · May 20th, 2013, 02:06 PM

Most of vintage Corvettes have their pickguards destroyed by time and chemical reactions . I think Paul Setzer could do it for you? Or maybe buy a new one on Ebay.Other members could give you his mail? For electronic parts, if you want to play regularly your baby, buy new cts or alpha pots 500k . So take your time, keep the original cap. For rust , green rust, you won t do miracle: but i had good result with wd40 with "bicarbonate" and a tooth brush. The big problem is that vintage hilotron covers have a special height and it s very hard to find one in correct price!! Knobs a are the same than today. The tailpiece is also hard to find. The veneer can be "restored" using car polish ( without silicone) . For the original VanGhent tuners ( if you still have them): same thing, a bath wd40 and then tooth brush, and don t be afraid to screw the gear ! If all the screws don t hold in wood, take a good wood glue, a small piece of wood put it inside the hole with glue on and cut upper side with a blade. The woods are very good on those model : honduran mahogany, rio rosewood ( real! Not actual production) . Keep preciously the rocking bar bridge because actual bridge have a different size between the two screws ! Now you can replace the whole bridge by another modern part ( i know teisco type floating bridge works on the Vette). Another member ( The Marlin) and i have rewound our hilotrons to bigger resistance 4,5 to 5 k. Why ? Because it allows the hilo to be more versatile while keeping its original sound. I probably forget things but don t hesitate ! Others members have old vettes and others tips ( particularly about veneer) . It also depend on what you want to do : keeping it in an original shape or if you want to mod it