NGD - SUB1 - modded to SSS with some Morse-specs

[banjoplayer]

Hi guys,

as I have a new EBMM I wanted to let you know.... not that spectacular like all those PDNs, BFRs, Majestys (which I like very much).... just a simple guitar. This is ..... my cinnamon SUB.

About a month ago I got a reasonable offer for this one (used). I always wanted a Morse guitar with three Single-coils because I like the ergonomics and playability so much. And I always thought that a SUB would be a good basis to realize this... same woods, nearly same bodyshape... (because I would never mod a real Morse that way). And that´s it .....



The cinnamon finish is very attractive


Nobody knows why it has a Music Man Vintage Vibrato. Usually the trems on SUBs didn´t have an engraving. I asked AJ and he couldn´t explain it too. Maybe some previous owner changed it for some reasons.


I wanted a pickguard layout that has the Volume-/Tone-controls in the same place like the Morse. That meant I had to cut a PG by myself which was tough. With the help from fellow forumite Jamminjim I got all the measurements I needed. Thanks Jim!




The routing for the middle SC was done by a luthier, I don´t have a mill





And the result: A cinnamon SSS-SUB with a modified control layout (Morse-style). Tone cap is the same as Morse´s (47nF)




Further possible mod is removing the paint from the neck and give it the oil/wax treatment. But as this mod is irreversible I wait a while to see how much I like it.

 

[mystixboi1]

Interesting. How does she sound ?

 

[DrKev]

Fantastic work! The luthier did a lovely neat job on the routing and your pickguard looks great! Well done!

 

[fbecir]

Nice work !

For the engraving of the vibrato, it seems that the older SUB had it. Mine does not have it, but I remember that ReB87 (a forum member from Netherlands) bought a (new) SUB with an engraved vibrato. There was a discussion on this topic :
http://forums.ernieball.com/music-man-guitars/23606-musicman-sub1.html

Thus, it appears that you are a lucky guy

For the paint of the neck, leave it as it is. The paint is not sticky at all and it is very thin (the paint of the neck of my SUB starts to wear out : the wood is now visible. I have a Road Worn Sub )

 

[kestrou]

That's just three shades of cool right there - great vision and execution of that vision - take a bow!

Kevin

 

[Tollywood]

Fantastic work! The luthier did a lovely neat job on the routing and your pickguard looks great! Well done!

+1 Excellent job.

 

[Another Noob]

Cool mod! Looks like it came out great!

Jamminjim is the man! Glad to see other folks found that diagram useful too!

 

[banjoplayer]

Thanks for you input guys. Really appreciate it.

It was just finished yesterday in the middle of the night so I only tried it through Guitar Rig on my PC. It sounded very strat-like, rather thick tone, powerful. But this also is because of the pickups. I have a LeoSounds Red House Set in it. They are rich in tone, although clear sounding. I would recommend them. LeoSounds are really affordable, handmade German pickups. Tonight I will take it to a rehearsal and play it through a Laney Lionheart.

Cutting the pickguard was a tough job which took me a while. The result is fine. A thin coping saw, some rasps and a razor blade can do the job. For the outlines and screwholes I took the SUB-pickguard as a template. But I had no template for the pickup-cuttings. So Jamminjim measured the distances between the three Singlecoils. And finally for the controls I had to measure their positions on my morse.

 

[Samoht]

That looks incredible! I recently watched a sub1 on ebay with hopes of doing the same exact mod as a guitar for my son. Still hoping to find one at the right price. Over $400 was too rich for my blood.

Anyways, congrats on such a sweet guit!

 

[beej]

Nicely done The Subs are great guitars to play with.

 

[pentaspan]

good job. I think black plastic parts imply Morse more than white, but whatever works for you.

...and, just for the sake of coolness, I'd call that "Rust", not "Cinnamon".

 

[kestrou]

I've looked at this thread a few times - and like it more every time!

Just did some looking for a Sub1 online and they're not very commonly found these days but going to keep my eyes peeled.

Kevin

 

[joe web]

great job mate!!!
i would go with a black pickguard, but that's just my taste.

 

[banjoplayer]

great job mate!!!
i would go with a black pickguard, but that's just my taste.

good job. I think black plastic parts imply Morse more than white, but whatever works for you.

...and, just for the sake of coolness, I'd call that "Rust", not "Cinnamon".

oh I really like plain white (in this case vintage white) pickguards with white plastic parts. It looks classy

cinnamon was the official name for this color. You´re right, "Rust" nails it But - under different light it can also vary between brown and green. Pics doesn´t show it right. Hard to photograph

 

[banjoplayer]

I've looked at this thread a few times - and like it more every time!

Just did some looking for a Sub1 online and they're not very commonly found these days but going to keep my eyes peeled.

Kevin

Yeah they don´t come up that often. But if they come, catch one if the price is good. Right now there are 2 on german ebay with prices nobody wants to pay. So they usually don´t go that expensive

 

[jamminjim]

Banjo - you are most welcome, it was fun to provide the numbers for you. You did a superb job on that plate and it looks really nice on the Sub 1. Now you have a custom axe that is going to make you smile a lot and you can be proud of it. Be sure to join the Sub owners club and post a pic there.
~Jim

 

[banjoplayer]

Be sure to join the Sub owners club and post a pic there.

Done official SUBOC-Member