Hi dudes and dudettes!
As mentioned in a previous post, I bought a really cheap seven string guitar 6 months ago, a Peavey Predator st7. I have recorded some songs with it, and played a couple of gigs with it, and I am actually starting to really like it! So since it still needs some upgrades, I have decided to pimp it up this summer!

This involves:
New tuners
Scalloping from 12. -21. fret
New pickup (bare knuckle \m/ )
Custom pickguard, which will be awesome!
Some new cool electronic features!
Minor paintjob detail

Hopefully, I can do everything myself! The only thing that might require help is the pickup-change. I have bought a soldering kit, but have never done it properly, so a bit unsure here

I will use this post in the weeks ahead to almost "blog" about it and share some pictures, since I think there are more gear-heads but me who finds that interesting

What a coincidence! Me and a friend of mine are about to do something similar.
We got the guitar of a friend who doesn't play anymore. A Washburn X10, something cheap.
Now, we will do a paint job, change the pickups (maybe Bare Knuckle ) and change some other hardware.
I'm quite excited I guess you are too.
Good luck with it!

Yeah, put some pictures - before and after!

Good luck with the scalloping !

Alright! It has begun!

I have covered up all the frets on the top of the neck, so as soon as I have rented gear, I`m ready to start scalloping on Saturday!

I have started the minor paintjob, and I am about halfway finished.

And..... I ordred a new Bare Knuckle Pickup today! A aftermath with a slightly burnt chrome cover! I am so excited now

Gonna upload some pics within the weekend

Awesome! I'll be glad to see the progress!

Awesome, good luck!
I scalloped a guitar last summer as well. Just be careful not to go too deep!

Small change: I changed the burnt chrome cover to a battleworn one instead, like this: http://a4.l3-images.myspacecdn.com/images0...4a8cde8c6/l.jpg






Thanks! I scalloped another neck two years ago, and with that neck I went faaaar to deep, so I think this next one will be better

hey man, that's a great project. Is there a way to get before-after pics? It will rock to have these on the topic

Good luck with the upgrade!

Good luck with the project! If you need any help at all with any of it just ask, I'll be glad to help!!

Alright, I have made some progress!
I have masked the frets that will be scalloped between, and painted the headstock.

Before:
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After:
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I have also borrowed a dremel from a friend for the scalloping. Since I never have used one before, I though it was smart to start of at my old guitar which is already half scalloped. Last time, I did it without any machines, and spent nearly 10 hours on the 12.-22. fret before the neck was screwed on, re-stringed and playable.
With the dremel, I scalloped the 1.-11. fret, sanded it with 120-1200 sandpaper, applied some fretboard juice and re-stringed it within two hours!!
Once again, I went far to deep on the first 5 frets, but on the last 4-5, I feel that I got closer to the optimal depth

Here is the result:

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And when I plugged it in, something happened...dunno what is was, but suddenly I thought the guitar sounded awesome So now I don`t longer look for a strat to buy either, since I have an OK one, which looks like nothing else

In addition, the mentioned BKP I ordered will be looking LIKE THIS instead of the burnt chrome. I have also ordered some chrome locking tuners from Planet waves! Now I only need to order the custom pickguard, and it`s only fitting stuff on that remains!

Almost done now! Here are pictures of the scalloped neck, and the re-painted headstock with new Planet Waves locking tuners

The pickup is being installed as we speak!


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