Yamaha RGX110 - Project Strat

[lewis]

I just scored this surprisingly awesome late 80's Yamaha RGX for a stupidly cheap price.

Im going to do a full makeover but first specs -

Alder Body
Maple Neck
Bubinga Fretboard
25.5 scale
24 frets
Tremolo bridge

now pictures as it is currently from the previous owner -

Awesome Horn Contours

planned Mods -

white Pearloid pickguard - custom shape to fit this
Chrome locking tuners
EMG81 in the bridge
ebon'ize the fretboard (the bubinga is already darker than Rosewood)
white faux binding
potentially the Fishman rechargeable battery pack for the EMG 81
new Tremolo bridge
chrome string saver saddles
brass tremolo block
noiseless tremolo springs
maybe a new nut too
relocate the input to underneath and move the volume knob lower down on the pickguard


target Aesthetic -

its in Drop C currently and it plays really really great. A very very fast guitar. Proper old fashioned shredder. No nonsense 1 pickup 1 volume knob setup which I love for live use etc.
Ive already swapped the strap buttons out on it for new, extra large chrome ones and I use the beer washer route for my straps. Tonally its awesome. Exactly what Im after from my guitars. Was playing some Chimaira on the thing earlier and it already, perfectly nails that Rob Arnold sound and thats without the EMG 81. Cant wait to get it finished. Will shield the cavities out too as I always do with my guitars.

this one is in amazing condition. There are no chips anywhere and only a few tiny dents on the front that are not noticeable at all. The pickguard may even cover them anyhow.
all in all an amazing modding platform that works great right out the bat. Reminds me of the LTD guitars in feel and play ability.

highly recommended.

 

[MetalViking]

That's gonna look great!

 

[lewis]

That's gonna look great!

thanks man!

after Xmas when I have more funds spare again to plough into this, I will create a new thread in the Modification page to document in the progress as it happens

im also thinking about going Fishman Modern Humbucker rather than EMG81 in the bridge now too

 

[lewis]

long time since its last update, but now Ive finished moving house Ive ramped up getting this finished!.

Hardware all stripped off the guitar. Brand new Locking tuners fitted.
Ive given the fretboard a lovely clean and its going to darken right up to Ebony levels through doing it too which is awesome.

Going to be ordering this Wilkinson tremolo -

and Im also going to be buying a new Tusq nut and the graphtech vintage string saver saddles in chrome. (Steel with only the inserts where the string goes is their material to keep the high end better intact)

still left to order is -

EMG 81

Fishman recharge battery pack -

and possibly this EMG active mid control knob -

 

[electriceye]

Man, I'd stop there and leave the PG off. A killer find!

 

[lewis]

Man, I'd stop there and leave the PG off. A killer find!

I wish I could find another in black that I could do a totally stealth all black version of without a Pickguard. They are really rare. Ive spotted some red ones but I do not want Red haha. They really have a ESP/LTD vibe to them

 

[lewis]

update:
Wilkinson bridge ordered today. Est arrival is Saturday. After its here I will look into buying a white Tusq nut for it before doing the Emg 81 solderless set + AMC (mid control) EMG knob.
Then I need to stick some paper onto the body and hand draw my desired pickguard shape ready to make up a template.

This is going to be in Drop Db(C#)

 

[yuri_1973]

Man, I'd stop there and leave the PG off. A killer find!

I second that .... better w/o pickguard !
just use a guitar cable with an angled plug for that annoying connector position

 

[lewis]

I second that .... better w/o pickguard !
just use a guitar cable with an angled plug for that annoying connector position

i will do everything else first and see how i feel then haha

also yeah thankfully im going wireless anyway so the input jack location isnt so bad

 

[lewis]

update:

Wilinson tremolo arrived and is fitted. This is the first time owning one and all i can say is wow. What an amazing tremolo. Easily the best bridge of its type. Super smooth and comfy and seriously high quality. It came with a new, large steel block too.

 

[lewis]

Got a pickguard template made up tonight.

To make this I used my Ibanez RG8 8 string pickguard as a template, and made some minor adjustments so it fit this body shape. Things like avoiding the horn bevels at the top etc.

Pics tomorrow in natural light.
Im also going to fit a roller string tree just to make sure the strings dont pop out the nut when doing violent trem work haha

 

[lewis]

Pickguard template Pics:

Target Aesthetic -

 

[lewis]

update:
Ive reworked the outer pickguard curve slightly so it matches better the curve/shape of the guitar body!.

I just need some card now to make a thicker 1 piece template up to use to mark it out on a pickguard sheet.
Im doing it with hand tools so I can be really accurate and work slowly to ensure I do a good job. Coping saw etc. I will then use needle files and sand paper to get a nice finish and Im thinking about getting a bevel cutting bit aswell.

 

[Joseph Goodman]

Nice mods! These low end made in Taiwan Yamaha's really do have some nice build quality to them, very competitive with some of the ghastly stuff some companies have put out in the same price range in recent years.

 

[lewis]

Nice mods! These low end made in Taiwan Yamaha's really do have some nice build quality to them, very competitive with some of the ghastly stuff some companies have put out in the same price range in recent years.

Thank you

and yes you are so right. This thing plays brilliantly and doesnt feel "cheap".
Ive owned and played on a couple of Dean guitars about 8-9 years ago and those were the epitome of cheap feeling. Tonally too this thing is really really nice.

Ive shielded it up now all ready for buying and fitting the EMG81 which will be end of this month. Its going to be a very awesome work horse with the added benefit of sounding amazing and playing very fast.

To add aswell, I picked this up for £70 ($89)

 

[lewis]

Ordered a new Graphtech white tusq nut yesterday!.

 

[lewis]

new nut arrived. Seems a perfect fit minus a light sanding to not make it stand so tall off the headstock.

Looks and feels real nice!. First time ever ordering a tusq graphtech nut, but I will defo be ordering more in the future!

 

[lewis]

not glued yet but held in place nicely by the truss rod cover. Had a little sanding and it fits beautifully!
Will defo be using graphtech again for tusq nuts -

 

[lewis]

got the nut glued down today. Still so happy with this graphtech replacement!.
Cant wait until i have a spare £70 now to buy the EMG and get it wired up.

pickguard will be the last thing.

 

[lewis]

EMG 81 has just been ordered. Got it brand new for £69 + free postage which seems really good. Its arriving Tuesday.

Ive decided to put white pearloid tuner buttons on this too!. Cavities have all been copper shielded ready for the pickup to drop in. Going to use the standard 9v for now. Ive removed 1 of the 3 tremolo springs so there is room in the back cavity between the other 2 springs, for the battery.

Im going to get the Fishman recharge pack next month.