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NooB with questions for SUB1 upgrades

F

freewheel

Member
Joined
May 21, 2007
Messages
11
Hi all, I recently purchased a SUB1 dual hum EBMM. It was my first EBMM and I'm stoked. It came from eBay for $250 w/gig bag, not bad for a USA made quality guitar. I liked it so much I've decided to "make it my own" I'm in the process of researching for a full custom job, refinish-pup upgrades-hardware upgrades-Chandler abalone pickguard-etc. Its going to be my summer project.

First question- Does anyone make a direct replacement/drop-in BLACK tremolo arm for the EBMM trem?

Second Question - will any of the Graphtech saddles fit the EBMM trem? Has anyone had a good/bad experience with this mod?

Third question- Are the custom pups in the SUB1 guitars made by Dimarzio (and just not branded as such) or are they import pieces? Just curious. I've already upgraded to a SD JB/59 combo.

I'm hoping my local EBMM dealer and I can come to terms on a Floyded Morse Y2D in tobacco burst with a natural maple headstock. I want a color matched headstock and he wants to free up $1000+ to sink back into cheap imports for the kiddies. Negotiations continue.

Thanks in advance. I hop this SUB1 is the first of many EBMMs to follow.

Cheers;
freewheel
 
Axilla

Axilla

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 26, 2007
Messages
1,006
Location
Uelzen / Germany
Hi and welcome to this fine place !

Remember to post a pics - no pics means the guitar doesn't exist ;)
For your customizing questions:
Me too, I'm rather the heavy modding guy, but where is the point for your all-over-mod-desire ?
Do you really dislike any of the stock features on the SUB?
When I bought mine I had almost the same intention initially, but having played it for quite a time I decided not to change anything but the volume and tone control knobs. The pickups are US made custom wound (not sure about the manufacturer) and are especially made for that guitar. They sound awesome and I would not exchange mine at all. Everything on this guitar fits it perfectly in my humble opinion.

If you however choose to mod, the graphtech saddles for 7ender Str@t should fit the SUB trem nicely. When chosing PUs, keep in mind that the SUB is a very clear and open sounding guitar and you might be disappointed finding "Paula" replacement PUs don't sound what you would expect them to in that guitar. Having a look into PUs from the Steve Morse model would be a good option as those also are designed to be operated in a poplar bodied guitar.

I hope you enjoy your stay here and well - think about the mods...

ATB

Axel
 
F

freewheel

Member
Joined
May 21, 2007
Messages
11
Thanks for the welcome. The saddle mod is to lose some of the top end bite. I have a history of playing mahogony guitars (Les Pauls and Custom Shop BC Riches) so my ears like a less bright tone. Same reason I deep sixed the stock pups for the JB/59 combo (the Seymours were in my "junk" droor, they are even mismatched colors :D ). I also plan a mini-toggle "kill switch" to do pickup stutters ( there goes that Les Paul/BCR thing again).

The rest of the mods are purely asthetic. I just want to build a "one of a kind" EBMM. Plus I like to tinker (cars, motorcycles, guitars). I've painted a few vehicles over the years, so I thought I might give a guitar a shot. I wanted to start with a good guitar. There is no point in having a shiny piece of crap (kinda like putting whipped cream on a pile sh*t). $250 SUB1 seemed like a good starting point. I figured if your gonna tear a guitar down to the screws and start over, why spend $800+ on a used Silo or Morse. Besides, I figure the EBMM faithful are less likely to lynch me for modding a SUB1 vs a JP, Silo, AL, Axis or Luke. Its one of those "prove I can can do it" things, even if I prove it to no one but myself.
 
Axilla

Axilla

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 26, 2007
Messages
1,006
Location
Uelzen / Germany
freewheel said:
Thanks for the welcome. The saddle mod is to lose some of the top end bite. I have a history of playing mahogony guitars (Les Pauls and Custom Shop BC Riches) so my ears like a less bright tone. Same reason I deep sixed the stock pups for the JB/59 combo (the Seymours were in my "junk" droor, they are even mismatched colors :D ). I also plan a mini-toggle "kill switch" to do pickup stutters ( there goes that Les Paul/BCR thing again).

The rest of the mods are purely asthetic. I just want to build a "one of a kind" EBMM. Plus I like to tinker (cars, motorcycles, guitars). I've painted a few vehicles over the years, so I thought I might give a guitar a shot. I wanted to start with a good guitar. There is no point in having a shiny piece of crap (kinda like putting whipped cream on a pile sh*t). $250 SUB1 seemed like a good starting point. I figured if your gonna tear a guitar down to the screws and start over, why spend $800+ on a used Silo or Morse. Besides, I figure the EBMM faithful are less likely to lynch me for modding a SUB1 vs a JP, Silo, AL, Axis or Luke. Its one of those "prove I can can do it" things, even if I prove it to no one but myself.
Click to expand...

Absolutely agree here - so just treat that babe good - you do seem to know what yer doing and what you want it to be :cool:
Keep us updated on the progress, mate !

ATB

Axel
 
kissmyaxe

kissmyaxe

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 14, 2007
Messages
530
Location
Seattle
I love that BC Rich Eagle, great body shape....but come on you already know your Sub has the best neck
 
F

freewheel

Member
Joined
May 21, 2007
Messages
11
kissmyaxe said:
I love that BC Rich Eagle, great body shape....but come on you already know your Sub has the best neck
Click to expand...


Actually the neck shapes of the Custom Shop BCRs are very similar to the SUB1. The BCRs just use the shorter 24 5/8" (no, the 5/8" is not a typo) as opposed to the EBMM traditional 25 1/2". I prefer the lighter string tension for soloing but the EBMM is better for chording. Yeah, I'm weird.

As for some production and especially import BCRs, theyre all over the place. Some are good, some OK, some bad and some are really BAD.
 
kissmyaxe

kissmyaxe

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 14, 2007
Messages
530
Location
Seattle
actually that 24" scale sounds interesting, would be worth a try...I mean as a lefty all I get to try are korean warlocks and umm I won't comment on those. I am sure I would love a real Eagle.
 
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