B
BruceM001
New member
Hi all - I have looked at previous threads for this stuff, but still have questions:
I'm waffling between keeping my recently purchased Univox Coily ES335 copy as stock as possible, or going all out with mods. The tuning heads suck and need to be upgraded, and I'm missing a tremolo arm and will either to get a replacement for the arm, or get a whole new Bigsby tailpiece. So since I'm sliding down that slippery slope anyhow, I'm tempted to take my foot off the brakes and see where I end up....
Although I would appreciate opinions on worthy hardware brands, especially if there are dissenting opinions on what I decide on my own, I mostly have a couple of technical questions. (I guess the bigger question might be: "Am I a fool for considering destructive mods in the first place?" Be nice when answering this!
)
1) Tailpiece - I think I'd go with a Bigsby B70 (silver)
2) Bridge - the univox has a floating bridge (I haven't changed the strings since I got it - the person I bought it from had just restrung it, but I'm 99.9% sure it's a floating bridge). I have no real objections to its aesthetics, but I would like to hear pros/cons about its functionality. Will a floating bridge work better than a fixed bridge with the kind of hollowbody this is, ie no center block? Is there a danger structurally putting in posts for a tune-o-matic bridge? Are there more modern floating bridges that would be better than the stock one?
3) Pickups - I play mainly clean - roots, country, vintage. I don't gig, just record for a hobby. I actually like the stock humbuckers that are in it currently, but I'm worried that that's only because I haven't played hollowbody electric much and so have little to compare them to. Also, probably because I have horrible technique, I find it REALLY hard getting a track down without hearing picking/fingering flubs, which I think is partially due to the old microphonic pickups. (I play Nashville style steel-like bends all over the place and the strings slip off my fingers or my nails get under the next string, etc. Lighter strings will help, but I hate to sacrifice tone.) I'm researching pickups, and so far am gravitating towards TV Jones Classics. They look cool, and if you can describe a sound in a blurb, I think they will suit my style and needs. I looked at Boggs pickups, but yikes! the prices...
4) Given the cost of a custom neck, I'll probably keep the one that's on it for now. It plays nice and the frets are in good shape etc. I might change my mind. But in reading about how different woods effect brightness and other aspects of the sound, I'm wondering how much the sound would improve with a new neck. Would it really be noticable? I could certainly get a better looking neck, and I know from putting a new neck on my Jazz bass that it can feel amazing, but I guess my main consideration at this point is getting a great sound.
I guess that covers it for now - I appreciate your insights!
Bruce
I'm waffling between keeping my recently purchased Univox Coily ES335 copy as stock as possible, or going all out with mods. The tuning heads suck and need to be upgraded, and I'm missing a tremolo arm and will either to get a replacement for the arm, or get a whole new Bigsby tailpiece. So since I'm sliding down that slippery slope anyhow, I'm tempted to take my foot off the brakes and see where I end up....
Although I would appreciate opinions on worthy hardware brands, especially if there are dissenting opinions on what I decide on my own, I mostly have a couple of technical questions. (I guess the bigger question might be: "Am I a fool for considering destructive mods in the first place?" Be nice when answering this!
)1) Tailpiece - I think I'd go with a Bigsby B70 (silver)
2) Bridge - the univox has a floating bridge (I haven't changed the strings since I got it - the person I bought it from had just restrung it, but I'm 99.9% sure it's a floating bridge). I have no real objections to its aesthetics, but I would like to hear pros/cons about its functionality. Will a floating bridge work better than a fixed bridge with the kind of hollowbody this is, ie no center block? Is there a danger structurally putting in posts for a tune-o-matic bridge? Are there more modern floating bridges that would be better than the stock one?
3) Pickups - I play mainly clean - roots, country, vintage. I don't gig, just record for a hobby. I actually like the stock humbuckers that are in it currently, but I'm worried that that's only because I haven't played hollowbody electric much and so have little to compare them to. Also, probably because I have horrible technique, I find it REALLY hard getting a track down without hearing picking/fingering flubs, which I think is partially due to the old microphonic pickups. (I play Nashville style steel-like bends all over the place and the strings slip off my fingers or my nails get under the next string, etc. Lighter strings will help, but I hate to sacrifice tone.) I'm researching pickups, and so far am gravitating towards TV Jones Classics. They look cool, and if you can describe a sound in a blurb, I think they will suit my style and needs. I looked at Boggs pickups, but yikes! the prices...
4) Given the cost of a custom neck, I'll probably keep the one that's on it for now. It plays nice and the frets are in good shape etc. I might change my mind. But in reading about how different woods effect brightness and other aspects of the sound, I'm wondering how much the sound would improve with a new neck. Would it really be noticable? I could certainly get a better looking neck, and I know from putting a new neck on my Jazz bass that it can feel amazing, but I guess my main consideration at this point is getting a great sound.
I guess that covers it for now - I appreciate your insights!
Bruce