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Replace flush mount jack :: Ibanez Soundgear SDGR SR300 bass [8.0 lbs]

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Replace flush mount jack :: Ibanez Soundgear SDGR SR300 bass [8.0 lbs]

A four string bass in for a checkup and a spotty flush mount output jack.  Flush mount jacks are notorious for wearing out and are not nearly as robust as a traditional Switchcraft jack.  But many are willing to sacrifice reliability for looks.  This bass was also giving me a weird hum, but it turned out one of my cables was going bad.  Check out the video below from the vlog.

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Blown out tuner post :: 2002 Fender American Stratocaster

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Blown out tuner post :: 2002 Fender American Stratocaster

Something was odd about this American Strat as it didn't feel quite right.  The action was super high action and looking a the bridge gave clues to it's cause.  The bridge was pitched towards the neck, yet the spring claw was tightened to the point that the front of the bridge block was touching the body (ie maxed out).

Sighting across the front of the bridge shows that the treble bridge post is leaning and pulling the bridge forward into the pickup cavity.  My suspensions were confirmed when I pulled the bridge (pictured below).  The bridge insert had blown out the body and was not holding the bridge in place.  The damaged wood will have to be repaired in order to get the action low again.

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Full assembly & setup :: Warmoth Stratocaster HH [7.1 lbs]

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Full assembly & setup :: Warmoth Stratocaster HH [7.1 lbs]

The second of two Warmoth Strat's in for assembly.  This one also has a roasted maple neck (though with an ebony fingerboard) but was routed for no pickguard and humbuckers (Seymour Duncan Alnico Pro II).  The guitar needed the electronics to be installed and wired up.  A request of the player was to thin down the bridge's plastic humbucker mounting ring to lower it's profile.  The Sperzel locking tuners required the blind pins to be drilled before installation.  Similar to the player's other Warmoth Strat, the saddle set screws were swapped out to account for a higher neck angle.

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Finish up assembly & setup :: Warmoth Stratocaster SSS [7.3 lbs]

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Finish up assembly & setup :: Warmoth Stratocaster SSS [7.3 lbs]

Here's one of two Warmoth Strats a customer brought in for assembly.  Check out the unfinished roasted maple neck!  This one was partially assembled with the pickguard (wired up with Bill Lawrence L280 / L290 pickups) and locking tuners pre-installed.  I mounted the output jack, double checked the wiring and set up the guitar with D'Addario XL 10s.  I also had to swap out the saddle set screws for longer ones to account for a high neck angle.  The original set screws were only a thread or two away from maxing out.  I could have adjusted the neck angle but the shim would have been on the visible end of the neckpocket.

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