Kramer Focus 1000 project

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 5:30 am

Thanks Ron!

Man, it's out of necessity believe me. I wish I had a damn router, cause my life would be much easier.

It takes me forever, because I don't have any templates to use as a guide, so I have to free hand everything I do, which takes alot of time, but in turn I'm developing a steady, albeit blistered hand.

I took the idea of the recessed neck plate from that Charvel in the photo I posted earlier in this thread, but I figured I'd take it one step further and route only the shape of the neck plate, instead of how they did it. I think my idea is much cleaner in appearance and looks more trick.

I also decided this evening to recess the Floyd, so I got started on that, but my hand got tired, and the router bit I'm using was getting dull, so i have to sharpen that up and finish it up tomorrow.

I also have to shave a little off of the back of the neck cavity, because they have a 2 degree angle like a Les Paul. This is for the string angle, because of the top mounted Floyd.

String Thru bridges, Kahlers, Top-mount Floyd, and Tune-o-matics all have an angled neck pocket.
I think everything except for a Recessed Floyd, and a Vintage trem have them actually.

I also leveled the neck pocket in the Kramer V as well, because I recessed that Floyd yesterday. It's much easier than I thought actually, and I'm doing it the hard way too.

I'll post some pics of the Floyd Recess tomorrow.

Killjingle · Post by **Killjingle** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 5:44 pm

Joe,

I have a router that u can have. When I moved into the house I live in there was one here. I wont be needing it. If I am going to route molding I will buy a table router. Heres the deal; it may or may not work. I can tell it was reconditioned; but the cord was cut off. I dont feel like wiring a pigtail to it to try it, but I would say the shape thats in it would work. It has a price tag on it, and the cord is cut like u would see at an equipment sale.

Its a skil. If u want to try it you are more than welcome. If u like it and u feel compelled to give something back I wouldnt mind having a used emg 81. Like I said you can have it at no cost.

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 6:54 pm

Chad, did I ever tell you that I love you?

Well I do!

I'll send you a pm and we can go from there.
Thank you!

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 9:22 pm

I got the routing done for the bridge about 30 mins. ago.
I also rigged up a router type base for the dremel, so I can shave the neck pocket nice and flat.
Being this body had a top mounted Floyd the neck pocket has a 2 degree angle, which will need to be leveled off.

It looks really shitty, cause I only spent about 10 minutes making the base, but it works really nice.
I'll set the depth of the router bit to the front of the neck pocket and then shave the back to match the front.

Killjingle · Post by **Killjingle** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 9:40 pm

I just wired a makeshift plug. U will need to get bits and make a better pigtail. It works.

Come get YOUR router.

Chad

tonefight · Post by **tonefight** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 12:45 am

That's really good work with a dremel. That router should come in handy though.

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 3:11 am

That router will definitely make my life alot easier, thats for sure. I wonder what store carries bits for them? Lowes?
Thanks again Chad, that was very nice of you to think of me like that.

Need anything routed let me know, cause it's on the house.

KyleMayket · Post by **KyleMayket** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 10:48 am

yeah, any store like that will have bits for it, Lowes, or Home Depot anything like that. Just make sure you get the right bits for it, cuz that's a pain in the ass.

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 3:35 pm

I forgot about the Homo Depot, I'll have to check there as well Kyle.

Killjingle · Post by **Killjingle** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 3:16 am

on lowes.com u can actually do a search for "Skil router bit"

the router is a 1 3/4 hp with a moving base equipped with plungers. It is a Skil #1840.

http://www.amazon.com/Skil-1840-Horsepo ... B0000302R8

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 5:19 pm

I'm finally able to post an update on this, after my USB port was messing with me...
Anyway this is what it looks like right now:

I'm waiting on another neck and then I'll tear this apart and get it ready for paint.
I didnt have a control cavity cover, so I made my own out of an aluminum grille and painted it black.
It's different and I think it looks kinda neat.

tonefight · Post by **tonefight** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 7:57 pm

Looks good, you would never guess you did all that routing and cutting. I like the control cavity cover, you should route an edge around the trem cover and put the same thing in there.

HurricaneBob · Post by **HurricaneBob** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:09 pm

Nice work Joe!

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 1:53 pm

I was thinking about recessing and adding a trem cover like that, but it looks cleaner without it. I dont use covers on my trem or truss rod cavities, but that grilled would allow access for a screw driver so it would be like it wasnt even there.

I have a Silver, Black, and Sea Foam Green grille, as well as a piece of clear lexan, so I will have to decide which one will look better. Kinda gives it a neat appearance with the wiring being exposed like that.

Cant wait to get the neck so I can start throwin some paint on it.

Thanks for the compliments guys.

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:52 pm

I got my "new" neck today in the mail. The headstock was broke during shipment to the guy I got it from. i knew it was broken and the deal was way too good to pass up.
It's from a 1989 Charvel 3DR (reverse headstock) The frets are in awesome condition for it's age. I got the tuners, nut, and truss rod cover as well.

I used 3 small dowel rods and glued it and put it on the clamp to dry for about 24 hours.
Then I'm going to drill a 1/4" hole in the heel and use the dust to fill in the crack line in the headstock. It will be the same color of wood, so it will help hide the repair a little better.
It has a 2-1/4" heel and I'll need to shave it down 1/16" (or 1/32" whatever = 2-3/16" total width. Too lazy to think right now...) from each side to fit the neck pocket of the Kramer, but thats minor stuff right now.

Once I'm done with the neck repair I'll be ready to throw some SFG on this. Can't wait!
I have been playing it alot lately and I almost dont want to tear it down for paint cause it plays and sounds so good.

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:06 pm

Here's the headstock so far, I still have some work to do on the back, but the front is looking good.
Wish the back were in better shape, but what can ya do...

JackANSI · Post by **JackANSI** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:20 pm

Man that grill idea is sweet... Would be cool even if its was a front loaded setup like a strat. hmm...

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:24 pm

Thanks man. I have some extra material if you want some? It's an aluminum grille for rain gutters.

Easily paintable too.

If anyone wants one let me know and I'll cut you one.
I have some trem cavity covers already cut and I could paint them whatever color wanted.

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 7:02 am

I got the headstock primed and painted and got the logo put on then cleared over it.
I also got the body sprayed in color right now.
Starting to look really good, and I cant wait to get it together.
My USB port is acting weird again and it's "not recognizing the camera"

I have been shooting some pictures the whole time and as it looks I'll have it done by the time I am able to upload the pictures on here.

I went with a white Kramer logo, cause it looked the best against the Sea Foam Green h/s color as opposed to Gold or Black. I also put a white pinstripe around the perimeter of the headstock on the side, where the the headstock color and the maple meet. I think it looks really nice without looking too "Autozone hubcaps on a Cavalier" (aka generic)

I was going to paint the headstock black initially and use a Gold logo, but after talking to Mitch a while ago I got to thinking about a matching headstock.
Very few Kramers came with a matching headstock,and none of them had a white logo so it looks kinda unusual.
I wanted to make it different, yet I wanted to keep it as close to stock in appearance as possible.
The recessed neck plate and reverse Strat jack plate are subtle enough, so they aren't an eye sore.

Wish I could show you guys what it looks like now...
As soon as I can I'll post pictures though.

old Skool · Post by **old Skool** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 12:06 am

Really diggin' this project Joe. Can't wait for the next round of pix! Thanks again for sharin' this with us.

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 6:45 pm

BadDazeGuitar wrote:Really diggin' this project Joe. Can't wait for the next round of pix! Thanks again for sharin' this with us.

Why thank you kind sir

I knew that atleast you of all people would appreciate the shredability and 80's vibe of this build up.
As soon as I can I'll get pics up with the progress I have made thus far.
Should be all done within the next week or so.
Until then, same bat time...

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 6:31 pm

Last night, Kenny was telling me to come check out your progress, Joe, and this thing is looking sweet! The grill control cover is awesome.

Almost makes me want to get together with you on some sort of creative bass project.

mjb · Post by **mjb** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 9:49 pm

lookin good joe, very impressive!

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 1:00 pm

Thank you mjb and bassist_25

I have it all done and put together now, and finished setting it up last night.
My USB port is still not allowing me to upload pictures. Maybe I can take my camera to someones house and upload then email the pics to myself so I can post them.

I painted it Sea Foam Green as planned, with matching headstock and a white Kramer block logo. It has Black hardware and a black Gibson style speed knob (Kramer used them on alot of their models as well)

It turned out really nice and I'm very pleased with it.
I have an EMG '85 in it with 18v, but I'm planning some other mods to the electronics like a preamp boost and possibly an EMG SPC (Strat presence Control)

I was seriously considering adding an EMG SA single in the neck position, but in the end I chose to retain a stock appearance.
There's alot of subtle mods like the recessed neck plate, control cavity cover, and the absence of the trem cavity and screw holes.
The reverse Strat style jack plate, and even the matching headstock weren't OEM Kramer options, neither was a white logo, but it all ties together really nice and it takes a trained eye to spot them.

I'll try to get pics up, because I really cant wait to show you guys.

MeYatch · Post by **MeYatch** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 4:25 pm

sounds awesome. I'll take your word for it for now, but did you think about using a white or cream knob instead of black? seems like it would work with the SFG a little more.