Triple Threat – A 3 Charlie Christian Pickup Strat
I have had this guitar back over a week and I am still ecstatic over what a great job Jay did with that humble Classic Vibe Strat!
After you guys put that Lollar CC pickup in the neck of my tele, I couldn’t find a telecaster style bridge pickup which matched up closely enough with it for my taste while still fitting in a conventional telecaster bridge. So Lollar wound three balanced output CC tele neck style pickup and I bought a CV Strat in order to have something to try them out in.
It was a total experiment. The CV strat had had its fret edges beveled just a little deep and there was some playing room lost on the fret. I asked the fellow who helped me (Scott?), if he could put a new nut in with a bit tighter string spacing to compensate for the loss of playing space and he assured me that he could and we left it at that.
Now as things turned out Jay was the fellow who ended up working on the guitar. Now in a mediocre place when a different fellow works on your instrument than the fellow you talked to, something usually gets lost in the translation. But I’ll have you know, that thing plays fantastic now. The before and after with a new nut and set up was really striking. Way beyond expectations! I had assumed that I would check out how the pickups sounded and change out the neck to a Warmoth or something, once I determined whether it was worth it or not. This guitar is remaining intact now.
I have owned a lot of instruments, have taken guitar building courses and put guitars together myself. Twelfth Fret’s work really is on a different level than other places in this city and it is not only the technical ability but taking the time to understand clearly what the customer wants and treating even less expensive instrument with care.
I couldn’t be happier. This set up has taken this guitar to a different level now. I have a totally unique instrument that can effectively go from playing thick George Benson single-note jazz lines to Dire Straits approved ‘quack’ with the flick of a 5-way switch!
Really like the look and sound. Haven’t plugged it in yet, but looking so forward to it! Thanks for the great guitar at a good price and excellent service.
There are not many feelings better than heading down to the 12th Fret with a pocketful of cash looking to buy (another) guitar. Although the store was fairly busy the staff were fantastic in offering help and advice. As I sat and auditioned ten or fifteen guitars no staff member passed by without asking if I needed help. Every question was answered with expertise. There was absolutely no sales pressure – take your time get the guitar that is right for you was the philosophy. Thanks Grant, Brian and Mike for sharing your knowledge and sage advice.
Finally, there is no better feeling than heading home from the 12th fret with a brand new Taylor 714ce professionally set up and ready to rock ‘n roll.
Thank you all
Gord Brady
(The Brady Brothers)
Bobcaygeon (Hip Town)
I’d like to thank Jay in Repairs for doing such a great job installing the pickup in my old Martin. It seems to play much better too with the different bridge.
It is hard to explain to the uninitiated how nuance plays such a huge part in our musical adventures. And it is strange that after 45 my D35 still sounds like me!
Many thanks www.davidbradstreet.com
Just a word of thanks for the superb job you folks did in bringing an early 50’s LG-2 back to life for me. The improvement in the sound is absolutely amazing. And it plays like buttah!
