big bob Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 As it turns out the pre-made pickguards I found are not drilled the same as the one on the 357. In the end I ordered a sheet of material and cut the guard and truss rod cover myself. Still need to make a cover for the electronics cavity. Install of the bigsby was super quick and easy. Got the covers made and everything installed in an evening. here are some pics. before during after truss rod cover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_iggi Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Wow! One of my dream guitars for sure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steiner Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Muuhhhh haaaaahhhhhhhh! Another successful trip to the lab! Igor, fetch me the Sound City... Nice work BB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DetroitBlues Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Ah the Insanity of it All!!!!! Actually, looks pretty cool. So.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tulk1 Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 What did you use to cut the material? I tried making one for the Leon and just gave up. I'm not quite as clever as you, Mr. BB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skydog52 Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 You truly are the second coming Dr. Frankenstein! It's aliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DetroitBlues Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 the only think I would add would be to change the rings to black and cover up the pickups... the creme doesn't look right with the BW checkerboard... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heritagefan7 Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Hey Big Bob--thanks for posting the pics! I was hoping to see the result--IT looks really cool and unique. It reminds me (in it's uniquenss) of a git I saw Billy Gibbons playing. Truly one of a kind, a real stand out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartyGrass Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 I am shocked about the Vibramate! You were strongly opposed to them two years ago. What's the story? You're not going to leave those stock knobs on are you? Not when there are so many other options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big bob Posted April 19, 2012 Author Share Posted April 19, 2012 Kenny, I cut the material with a coping saw(kinda like a small hand powered band saw) then sanded the edges to final shape. The bevel was added with a scraper that I made for scraping binding. Marty, I figured the vibramate would be ok on this because the 357 has a flat top. We will see soon enough. As for the knobs, they need to be switched but I'm not sure with what? DB, if I'm cleaver I might be able to resurface the top of the rings with some checkered material! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffB Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Fearless. Looks good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DetroitBlues Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 You've been clever enough to turn dice into control knobs, so I'm sure you'll figure that out too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolero Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 The bigsby looks totally bad ass but that checkerboard stuff is fugly Nice work though ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredZepp Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Way to have at it , Lance.. First, that was a great git to grab in the first place Second, nice work making it you own, as always. I think that you've got a couple of details to work out and it's done.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffB Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 I think, after a bit more time staring at the pics, the guard should be cream and black not white and black. The white is too stark, to colder colour( white isnt a colour I know). Even if you swapped for white p/up surrounds and black/white humbuckers it wouldnt quite work the same as a cream/black p/guard. The natural timber colours are nice and warm and the white looks kinda forced on there. Just passing a casual thought and in no way trying to take away from the awesome of what you have done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PunkKitty Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Awesome. A 357 is my next Heritage quest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kuz Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Lance, I REALLY like the Bigsby, super cool. NOW, we have to do something about your new pickguard, TRC, and the knobs!!!! LOL (I really don't care for the PG or TRC, but it doesn't matter what I think, it's your guitar). If you do keep the PG & TRC on that guitar, then I am with Josh.... you have to go black pickup rings and black speed dials. If you go back to the original PG & TRC, PLEASE put some amber lampshade or amber speed dials on that guitar!!! Either way, you snagged an incredible guitar!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kuz Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 I think, after a bit more time staring at the pics, the guard should be cream and black not white and black. The white is too stark, to colder colour( white isnt a colour I know). Even if you swapped for white p/up surrounds and black/white humbuckers it wouldnt quite work the same as a cream/black p/guard. The natural timber colours are nice and warm and the white looks kinda forced on there. Just passing a casual thought and in no way trying to take away from the awesome of what you have done. I agree about the "cream" color contrasting with the white as well. But it's just our opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big bob Posted April 19, 2012 Author Share Posted April 19, 2012 Gentlemen, thanks for the kind words. I do agree that the guard a trc would be better (just perfect actualy) in black and cream checkers. That however is a product I just can't locate. The cream guard that came with the bird, no offence to Heritage, was made really sloppy, I don't want to clean it up because I want to kep it origional. I also would call it fleshy colored. The new guard turned really nice fit and finish wise. especialy doing the beveal with a scraper made a perfect edge, no file or sanding marks at all. Will it stay on the bird? who knows. The material's pattern at least the white part is just the backing showing through so I may be able to change the white to cream. I have some scrap I am running tests on now. As for the Knobs, I don't like the gold reflectors for this guitar, however I really don't like black speed knobs, ever! any other thoughts? The bird sounds fantastic through both my amps, the tom short pups are really nice they do gain/crunch really well. I do also like the clean tones from them but not as much as the lollar mini hums on the 170. This one is def. a keeper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gitfiddler Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 How bout something like this? http://www.allparts.com/White-Rubber-Grip-Knobs-p/pk-0183-025.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DetroitBlues Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Gentlemen, thanks for the kind words. I do agree that the guard a trc would be better (just perfect actualy) in black and cream checkers. That however is a product I just can't locate. The cream guard that came with the bird, no offence to Heritage, was made really sloppy, I don't want to clean it up because I want to kep it origional. I also would call it fleshy colored. The new guard turned really nice fit and finish wise. especialy doing the beveal with a scraper made a perfect edge, no file or sanding marks at all. Will it stay on the bird? who knows. The material's pattern at least the white part is just the backing showing through so I may be able to change the white to cream. I have some scrap I am running tests on now. As for the Knobs, I don't like the gold reflectors for this guitar, however I really don't like black speed knobs, ever! any other thoughts? The bird sounds fantastic through both my amps, the tom short pups are really nice they do gain/crunch really well. I do also like the clean tones from them but not as much as the lollar mini hums on the 170. This one is def. a keeper. If you're changing it to cream, try soaking it in coffee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koula901 Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Awesome. A 357 is my next Heritage quest. better hurry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koula901 Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 The pickguard looks really cool, Lance! Bravo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brentrocks Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 looks great Lance!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 I think it looks pretty damn cool. Can you play some Specials on that thing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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