neck binding

cantdecide

hello all,
i have a bunch of pretty good guitars now but my workhorse is a weedy looking maroon jackson PS1. it's great- it's not all black and plasticy like a lot of other jacksons, it's pretty tame and civilised. it's been a good ol' mule for many years and i'm gonna get a new pickup and sratchplate for it.

it has a H/S/S setup at the moment, can i change it to a S/S/S configuration or should i stick with the original? i was thinking of a hotrail or similar.

can i get binding put around the fretboard? i never knew how it was done but i saw it being done recently and it didn't look so hard?

feylya

Please post instrument related queries in the Instruments forum, not the playing forum.

As for binding an already made neck, it's possible but would require an entire refret which is hard and expensive.

Doctor J

cantdecide wrote:

it has a H/S/S setup at the moment, can i change it to a S/S/S configuration or should i stick with the original? i was thinking of a hotrail or similar.

A hotrail is a humbucker, so you won't be changing from HSS, so what would be the point in going to the trouble, unless you're thinking of HHH?

Regarding the binding, you could probably buy three more PS1's for the cost of getting it done to your guitar. It would be more economical to buy a new one.

cantdecide

well i wouldn't buy a new jackson. i don't know how i ended up with one in the first place. if this wasn't such a tame example i'd ebay it. I'm not interested in jacksons in general but i have a soft spot for this one cos i've had it so long. i do use it the most because i don't have to worry about it. if a new equivalent jackson is €500, does that mean it'll cost €1500 to get the neck bound?

ps i know a hotrail is a humbucker, i'm thinking about changing the configuration just to jazz it up. I've never seen a jackson with a single coil at the bridge or with a hotrail so it might be interesting

Dord

if you're that pushed about having neck binding and keeping this guitar, then maybe you should think about buying a replacement neck. Afaik Warmoth make Jackson style necks, you can get binding and all that shenanigans on them.

Doctor J

There are PS1s for about €150 on ebay, meaning you'd be looking at €400-500 at least to get it done by anyone decent - ie cheaper to get a new one being the point. The work would involve removing the frets, routing the neck, applying the binding, refretting, refinishing... just not worth it on such a cheap guitar and chances are it will change the feel of the neck which you seem to like so much. If you are just interested in changing the looks more than the sound, why are you asking if you should do it? If you want to do it, do it. If you like the look of three single coil sized pickups, why are you asking if you should change? We don't know what you like the look of.

Dord

Doctor J wrote:

If you want to do it, do it. If you like the look of three single coil sized pickups, why are you asking if you should change? We don't know what you like the look of.

+1 you gotta make up your mind what YOU like.

cantdecide

there are no jackson PS1s on ebay with bound necks (and there is definitely none for €150 worth having). Sentimental value is the reason and it's kind of a given- ie not up for discussion.

I haven't really asked what i should do with my jackson- i've asked how much to get the neck bound- i'm trying to figure out why exaggerations would be used to form an accusation of stupidity is somehow favoured over a helpful suggestion. i mean you could have said "oh- about €450". I could have watched the fast show if i wanted to hear "you don't want to do that".

joerobot, i didn't think about that option- thanks, that's probably the answer.

Dord

Doctor J wrote:

If you want to do it, do it. If you like the look of three single coil sized pickups, why are you asking if you should change? We don't know what you like the look of.

+1 you gotta make up your mind what YOU like.

Doctor J

cantdecide wrote:

I haven't really asked what i should do with my jackson

cantdecide wrote:

it has a H/S/S setup at the moment, can i change it to a S/S/S configuration or should i stick with the original?

OK

Dord

he obviously can't decide.....lol lame joke

cantdecide

i only actually kind of asked about the neck and pickups

i didn't ask "since i'm an idiot, should i throw my jackson in the bin or dip it in molten gold". i didn't ask you to scrutinise my plans or motives and i certainly didn't ask for the exaggerated grandiose statements (or lies) to try make me feel silly for asking the question in the first place.

there is no ps1 on ebay for €150 you lied- you made it up to support the grandiose answer to the question i didn't ask.

read it again. I was only asking, wait for it- is it possible to get the neck bound and fit new pickups?

do you try to get embroiled in these petty quibbles often, doctorj? if so, maybe you shouldnt use peoples questions to massage your ego. maybe you should pick on a helpless child or kick a dog or something.

feylya

cantdecide - lose the attitude or lose your access.

Doctor J

cantdecide wrote:

...whine...

Yeah, whatever, cool the jets. You asked a number of questions, they were answered. Perhaps if you actually made your point clearly in the first place these kind of things wouldn't happen. All I did was highlight the apparent folly of spending considerably more than a guitar is worth on some aesthetic appointments, but since you hadn't mentioned the incredible sentimentality you attach to a guitar of a brand you seemingly hate, how were any of us to know. No-one here is a mind reader and, yes, you did ask what should you do, so cop on and lighten up.

Anyway, have a nice life and good luck with your guitar

Johnny Storm

cantdecide wrote:

...
do you try to get embroiled in these petty quibbles often, doctorj? if so, maybe you shouldnt use peoples questions to massage your ego. maybe you should pick on a helpless child or kick a dog or something.

Not to fan the flames but I have to say that's way out of line. Over a period of a couple of years on this forum I can tell you that Dr J is the most patient and helpful contributor to this forum.

cantdecide

bar me if you want. i don't need to come here to be antagonised for asking a simple question

Don1

Is it just me or is the instruments forum becoming agro city lately?!! :rolleyes:

OP - It is possible, but prohibitively expensive to bind the neck. You could change the pickup to a single but you will be left with the cavity from the humbucker (unless you add a new scratchplate. TBH as a hotrails user I think you'd be downgrading your guitar. Yes the rails are class but you have a large cavity (no funny comments pls) and you might as well use it. Put some big bastid high output monster in it instead.

In the spirit of stupidity (on my part mind) you could always use tippex to draw on binding!!! :eek:

feylya

cantdecide wrote:

bar me if you want. i don't need to come here to be antagonised for asking a simple question

If you don't like a post, use the Report Post button.

It wasn't me!

Don1 wrote:

Is it just me or is the instruments forum becoming agro city lately?!! :rolleyes:

Nah, we used to be way more controversial. The scalloping thread comes to mind.