Black Cherry axis Routed for Recessed Floyd

[ZeroFivefour]

Hi all,

Here are some "in progress" mod shots of my 2004 Black Cherry Axis getting routed for a recessed floyd. I am a die hard recessed floyd guy and always wished my axis was recessed like my luke 1 and 2 L1-Re issue guitars.

Thanks goes to Tollie and Russ for their courage and inspiration towards me finally getting this done.

I want to point out that the guitar is NOT done at this point, but here are some 'in progress' shots. I'll post more as I get them and of course when it is complete. Below are shots of the inked rout the luthier was kind enough to send me as "in progress" shots. I am extremely pleased with the job at this point.

I decided to go with a black rout and not color match it due to the nature of the black cherry top. I am so glad that I did. The rout is inked in the pic and will be painted black before completion. I think it looks perfect with the BC top. I absolutely love the contrast of the black rout, chrome floyd, and black cherry top. New studs are going in as well. Should be ready to ship next week completed.

To say I'm happy at this point is an understatement.

Disclaimer: If you look closely you can see small finish cracks on the top paint and clear coat near the neck side of the bridge mount screws, These were DONE BY ME a few years ago when I foolishly tried to get the bridge to play out of spec. NOT DONE BY the luthier. Just wanted to clarify that these are not the result of his work. He has been utmost professional and courteous and a pleasure to work with.

I'll post more pics as they become available for those interested.

Cheers,

Tom

ok guys, let me know if you see these please.

 

[Monster212]

ummm i dont see any pictures.....

 

[kestrou]

ummm i dont see any pictures.....

Me neither?!...

 

[mtrejo]

I see them, looks awesome! I totally agree with the black inside the route. I'd have done the same. Nice!

 

[ozzyrules]

That looks really sweet!!

 

[Tollywood]

That looks perfect! Nice and tight.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Cool
Out of interest - how did you go about reducing the risk of paint chipping when routing the cavity?

 

[ZeroFivefour]

ummm i dont see any pictures.....

Me neither?!...

Thanks for letting me know about the pics. I think the privacy settings on my Google drive were not allowing it. I'll have to check on that.

I see them, looks awesome! I totally agree with the black inside the route. I'd have done the same. Nice!

That looks really sweet!!

That looks perfect! Nice and tight.

Cool
Out of interest - how did you go about reducing the risk of paint chipping when routing the cavity?

Thanks for the positive comments guys, really appreciate it.

Spud I seem to remember someone telling me that the surface is scored with a tool prior, but I am not certain this is how it is done.

Cheers,

Tom

 

[Monster212]

ok i can the pics now.. very nice i like the look...

 

[Razzle]

Tom,

It looks great! And I'm with you on the floating thing. I think your guy is doing a fantastic job, and I think the black looks great too.

I had often thought of routing my purple Axis before I bought Tollie's. And although I do not at all think the rout on my PDN is too large (yours does look tighter though), I did check into it a bit going ahead with my purple one. I even ordered a floyd rout kit from stewmac but it was only for the body cavity.

So what template did your luthier use to size the bridge cavity? Or did he do it manually? I think he's doing a great job.

 

[ZeroFivefour]

ok i can the pics now.. very nice i like the look...

Tom,

It looks great! And I'm with you on the floating thing. I think your guy is doing a fantastic job, and I think the black looks great too.

I had often thought of routing my purple Axis before I bought Tollie's. And although I do not at all think the rout on my PDN is too large (yours does look tighter though), I did check into it a bit going ahead with my purple one. I even ordered a floyd rout kit from stewmac but it was only for the body cavity.

So what template did your luthier use to size the bridge cavity? Or did he do it manually? I think he's doing a great job.

Thanks for the positive vibes guys. Regarding the template I just don't know. but I'll ask him next time I talk to him and get back to you about it. I think He did a really good job. Prior to him doing the rout I had sent him pictures of my luke 1 reissue guitars and told him that is the way I wanted it routed. He used to build custom guitars years ago and while talking to him yesterday he seemed to indicate that this type of job is fairly easy for him at this point. If this works out the way I think it will I may have him do another guitar I have here, Ibanez Destroyer, that has a stop tail, and perhaps more in the future. If EBMM doesn't re issue the L1 or L1 reissue, I may have him take a luke and floyd it out and have it painted some insane color for kicks at some point in the future by Marty bell. That's gonna be an expensive job, but you only live once.

Cheers,

Tom

 

[Astrofreq]

Who did the recess job? I'm tempted. I'm a recessed Floyd guy or none, as well.

 

[ZeroFivefour]

Who did the recess job? I'm tempted. I'm a recessed Floyd guy or none, as well.

Rad,

Check your pm.

Cheers,

Tom

 

[fatkatz77]

Very nice.

 

[Firesource]

That looks really great! I have been considering doing this (well, getting someone to do it) to my own PBB Axis as well - my Charvel with a floating FR is simply too much fun!

How big is the range of pulling up on the bar?

 

[kimonostereo]

How much does he charge for a refret? Looking for someone on island to refret my Luke I.

 

[ZeroFivefour]

That looks really great! I have been considering doing this (well, getting someone to do it) to my own PBB Axis as well - my Charvel with a floating FR is simply too much fun!

How big is the range of pulling up on the bar?

Firesource, The guitar is not completed yet. I'll post the answer once I receive the guitar. It should be ready in a week or 2.

How much does he charge for a refret? Looking for someone on island to refret my Luke I.

Kimono, This luthier is in California unfortunately.

Cheers,

Tom

 

[Flash Gordon]

I had this done a long time ago on a Westone using a Khaler locking trem. It turned out nice, but over the years the posts started to bend.

Good luck with your mod... Looks like it's turning out great!

 

[Firesource]

Firesource, The guitar is not completed yet. I'll post the answer once I receive the guitar. It should be ready in a week or 2.

Thank you! I will be looking forward to the reply! I like how the rout is so tight around the bridge.

 

[ZeroFivefour]

I had this done a long time ago on a Westone using a Khaler locking trem. It turned out nice, but over the years the posts started to bend.

Good luck with your mod... Looks like it's turning out great!

Flash,

Thanks.

Thank you! I will be looking forward to the reply! I like how the rout is so tight around the bridge.

Thanks,

I agree, Joel Grant, the luthier did a fantastic job on the rout in my opinion. I should get the guitar next week so I'll have be able to get my hands on it and let you know about the range.

Cheers,

Tom