dtrax
Well-Known Member
For those of you that saw Adam's (Elysian) thread on concurrent RGA7 bodies, here's the finished product for the all-mahogany RGA7. The neck was taken from my RG7321, as was the bridge plate and volume knob. Parts that were replaced were:
Graphtech string savor saddles
1meg volume pot
barrel output jack
I also used the Evo7 that I installed a few months ago.
I did buy a Graphtech 7 string Black Tusq nut but I'm still debating replacing the old one. I may hold onto it for a future custom neck.
Anyways, here's the pics.
I figure this is a good time to give a preliminary review. Currently, I haven't finished wiring it up, so I won't comment on sound, although I'm sure it sounds killer.
First, a few caveats. The neck mounting holes and 4 of the 6 bridge mounting holes did not line up. This is apparently due to slight design differences between a 7321 and 7421 which was the body Adam used to create the template. This is not meant to be a shot at Adam at all (I've already discussed this with him), but only to let people know that the 2 models are not compatible. Obviously I wish I'd known (never occurred to me to even inquire, honestly), but I was able to get the guitar together relatively painlessly. I had to refill and redrill the neck mounting holes. I was originally going to give it to my dad to do, whom has a drill press, but he lives in the Poconos (3 hours away) and I wasn't going to get up to him for about 2 weeks. So, growing impatient, I decided to drill the holes free hand. It actually turned out really well. The neck fits very nicely. As for the bridge, it's secured with 2 screws holding it in place. I may in the future refill/redrill those holes too, but that's only a minor point.
Ok, on to the good shit. The grain of African Mahogany is simply gorgeous, and the oil finish Adam applied only enhances the beauty. It has a bit of gloss, but not overly so. The pics don't do it justice (plus I suck ass at photography).
The archtop is pretty similar to Ibby's. It seems a bit less deep or something, but very nice. And the fact that Adam carved it by hand (no CNC) makes it that much more betterer.
The AANJ is smooth as fuck. The contouring is great and SO much more classy than the 7321 neck joint.
The coolest, yet most subtle feature is the control cavity route. It's a hole just big enough to fit 1 volume pot. I really dig the fact Adam routed away the least amount of wood as possible. Also, it's got a UV style output jack, which is just sleek as shit.
The PU cavity is very snug (a good thing!) and Adam even drilled the PU mounting holes. They lined up perfectly.
Overall, I'd give it a 9/10. I'm extremely pleased this body and can't wait to get it wired up. Thanks again Adam!
Graphtech string savor saddles
1meg volume pot
barrel output jack
I also used the Evo7 that I installed a few months ago.
I did buy a Graphtech 7 string Black Tusq nut but I'm still debating replacing the old one. I may hold onto it for a future custom neck.
Anyways, here's the pics.
I figure this is a good time to give a preliminary review. Currently, I haven't finished wiring it up, so I won't comment on sound, although I'm sure it sounds killer.
First, a few caveats. The neck mounting holes and 4 of the 6 bridge mounting holes did not line up. This is apparently due to slight design differences between a 7321 and 7421 which was the body Adam used to create the template. This is not meant to be a shot at Adam at all (I've already discussed this with him), but only to let people know that the 2 models are not compatible. Obviously I wish I'd known (never occurred to me to even inquire, honestly), but I was able to get the guitar together relatively painlessly. I had to refill and redrill the neck mounting holes. I was originally going to give it to my dad to do, whom has a drill press, but he lives in the Poconos (3 hours away) and I wasn't going to get up to him for about 2 weeks. So, growing impatient, I decided to drill the holes free hand. It actually turned out really well. The neck fits very nicely. As for the bridge, it's secured with 2 screws holding it in place. I may in the future refill/redrill those holes too, but that's only a minor point.
Ok, on to the good shit. The grain of African Mahogany is simply gorgeous, and the oil finish Adam applied only enhances the beauty. It has a bit of gloss, but not overly so. The pics don't do it justice (plus I suck ass at photography).
The archtop is pretty similar to Ibby's. It seems a bit less deep or something, but very nice. And the fact that Adam carved it by hand (no CNC) makes it that much more betterer.
The AANJ is smooth as fuck. The contouring is great and SO much more classy than the 7321 neck joint.
The coolest, yet most subtle feature is the control cavity route. It's a hole just big enough to fit 1 volume pot. I really dig the fact Adam routed away the least amount of wood as possible. Also, it's got a UV style output jack, which is just sleek as shit.
The PU cavity is very snug (a good thing!) and Adam even drilled the PU mounting holes. They lined up perfectly.
Overall, I'd give it a 9/10. I'm extremely pleased this body and can't wait to get it wired up. Thanks again Adam!
