Sub 1 Mod questions

[SteveF]

Hi. New guy here. Just picked up a Sub 1 HH hardtail...tonight, actually. Very good deal, needs minor attention. Always wanted an EBMM, and finally the price was right (I've played acoustic almost exclusively for the last 15 years or so...but lately I've been bitten by the desire to learn "rock" guitar, I always sucked at it, I guess that's why I went over to being an acoustic guitar/vocal guy) anyway, that's the short intro...I have a few questions.

Anybody have graphtec string saver saddles on a SUB? Are they the same ones that would fit a silhouette? I'll probably measure them and check the Graphtec website-but if anyone knew offhand, and could let me know, I'd appreciate it.

Mods I'm planning:
(after a fret dressing, little trussrod tweak - is the trussrod adjustable with an allen wrench? I just saw that adjustment slot-very cool)

-string saver saddles (model #s anyone?)
-locking pegs (someone said you could get them from EBMM cs...any other suggestions? Esp. brands and model #s?)
-pickguard replacement-so far, I've only found SUB gtr. pickguards availabel from a site called "pickguard heaven"-run by Chandler, I think.
-Graphtec graphite nut (it's non-trem, but string hang up is still the enemy)
-new pickups, I like EMG 85s (NOT 81s)-but also have an OLD Duncan JB sitting in an old $50 fender mustang-so might go passive...jury's still out -the stock pickups aren't bad at all, actually a pleasant surprise. I'm not a metal guy, more classic rock, so pickups will likely be lower output (suggestions welcome)
-Buzz Feiten tuning mod a little later on (I've had this on other guitars and it's really a wonderful solution for intonation)
-has anyone tried taking the finish off the back of the neck? Just a thought...

that's about it...I have to say that, after looking for a reasonably priced electric for me to essentially play at home for my own enjoyment (only gig solo acoustic and much less frequently as I get older) I think this guitar is really very good. I looked at mexican strats (generally awful), G&L tributes, etc. (G&L is making a mistake with the "tribute" line, I think, have yet to play a decent one, when almost ANY "real" G&L is a very very good guitar) but the SUB was really the best deal for the money (I paid less than 400 US new-but it was roughly treated and in need of care)---even at the street price of 600-700, this is a very good playing guitar with decent pickups and a feel of quality.

For a point of reference-my other guitars are a Larrivee L (all mahogany) a Garrison G35CE, and like I said, a 66 fender mustang that I got for $50 when I was 16 and has been basically rebuilt many times and has no value except to me.
I HAVE owned many strats, teles, a G&L ASAT, Gibsons, and a Gretsch over the years, and the sub is a fun little rock guitar - really among the best budget guitars I could find.

Thank you in advance to anyone with modification stories or tips.

Sincerely,
Steve

 

[Sub1 Zero]

well, you dont have to buy locking tuning pegs, the guitar already has those. as for pickups, that is all up to you. i am still debating with myself if i want an EMG60/81 set or dimarzio evolution and air norton. that all comes down to your own preference. i think someone on this forum had talked about removing the finish on the neck, but i dont understand why you would want to; its really smooth, and fits the guitar well, and while i would rather have the birdseye maple, i like mine just the way it is.

 

[GWDavis28]

SteveF, welcome, you've just picked up an awesome guitar for the $$.

The truss rod wheel is easier to use if you buy a small diameter phillips head screw driver and grind the head off. Small 1/4 quaters is all it should take.

Do a search for SUB1 some else was asking the exact same ? about the neck and doing some mods. There are a bunch of SUB1 owners here and some have done some mods as well. Heck, Raz mod'ed his to a SSH configuration.

Good luck, Glenn |B)

Let's see some picture of the beast??

 

[Junior]

Sorry to OT, GWDavis28, but I think that the hardtail SUB1 does not have locking tuners. I'm pretty sure.

 

[GWDavis28]

Sorry to OT, GWDavis18, but I think that the hardtail SUB1 does not have locking tuners. I'm pretty sure.

Junior, that was "Sub1 Zero" who said that, it's either late or very early over there.

And yes Junior you are correct "Tuners Chrome plated enclosed non locking (standard bridge) or locking (tremolo)".

http://www.ernieball.com/mmonline/specs/instruments_subguitar.html

Thanx, Glenn |B)

 

[SteveB]

SteveF,

Welcome! I don't have any mod stories to share, and I do not own a SUB, but I have played them. If you're going to play "rock guitar" I'd suggest leaving the pickups in there. They're really nice sounding! I'd say leave that modification for last, and maybe by that time you'll decide that you like those pickups.

As mentioned, the SUB does have locking tuners, and the trussrod can be adjusted using the wheel at the (body side) end of the neck. You can use anything that will fit in the hole on the truss rod wheel.. alan wrench or small screwdriver. I've used alan wrenches in the past, but a small screwdriver or something a little more 'sturdy' than the allan wrench would probably work better.

 

[Junior]

Sorry about that GWDavis28 ...my mind is messed up right now. Trying to learn some Petrucci stuff

 

[Raz]

I think you should get in contact with pick guard heaven, because when I spoke with them (about 3 months ago) they didn't really do replacement pick guards for Sub 1's (meaning they don't work with the current formica material), however that being said, a Silo Special pick guard will fit a Sub 1, so essentially it's the same thing, but different! They're really cool there, just call them and explain your situation, and if you decide on EMG's they can customize the pup guard to suit!

 

[SteveF]

Thanks so much for all the info...people respond quickly on this board.

Yeah...the tuners aren't locking (really no BIG deal - since it's non-trem) but it's a convenience and tuning stability plus.

The pickups are not bad (I agree with you) and would be passable in most situations...I'm kind of looking for a certain sound...I'm not sure if they are IT but they're not TOO far off. Yes, most sound comes from the hands, but details can come from gear. EMGs are DEAD SILENT, take effects well, feedback is amazing, and they make one that's a single coil in a humbucking body, thinking about putting that in the neck position for a more strat-like neck tone without routing for a middle pickup or changing to a 5 way switch - I'm not a fan of that middle pickup getting in my way(I did see the sub mod on this board with the pearl pickguard in SSH configuration-VERY cool!) They may be the last mod.....

I was out running this morning...got to thinking about repainting the body and stripping/refinishing the neck. The GTR. is dark metallic blue - but like I said, it's been bonked around by/at the massive retail GTR chain that sold it.

Actually just to show how some large retail music stores treat their instruments...this guitar has a big ding on the upper horn, the neck pickup is almost falling out (screws missing on one side - easy fix - just haven't done it yet, just got the gtr less than 12 hours ago -and yes I'm already mentally modifying it - guitar sickness is a terrible thing...) the action is so low as to be barely playable with the factory .09s or whatever they are, buzzes all over the neck. Anyway, instead of doing a quick action adjustment, or truss rod tweak, or just setting it up with a set of .10s...this large retail chain (take a guess) just decides to sell the thing at almost half of the regular price. It works out well for me, but jeez...from a business standpoint, it's just not very good thinking. I asked if there was a wrench for the truss rod adjustment, nobody knew. I hate to give my money to these guys, but it was the best price going, even vs. used SUBs on Ebay.

Thanks again for the info guys, I'll post some pics as this project comes along. Any other SUB mod photos would be cool to see.

 

[appar111]

Actually just to show how some large retail music stores treat their instruments...this guitar has a big ding on the upper horn, the neck pickup is almost falling out (screws missing on one side - easy fix - just haven't done it yet, just got the gtr less than 12 hours ago -and yes I'm already mentally modifying it - guitar sickness is a terrible thing...) the action is so low as to be barely playable with the factory .09s or whatever they are, buzzes all over the neck. Anyway, instead of doing a quick action adjustment, or truss rod tweak, or just setting it up with a set of .10s...this large retail chain (take a guess) just decides to sell the thing at almost half of the regular price. It works out well for me, but jeez...from a business standpoint, it's just not very good thinking. I asked if there was a wrench for the truss rod adjustment, nobody knew. I hate to give my money to these guys, but it was the best price going, even vs. used SUBs on Ebay.

Same issue with the SUB1 that I pickup up last night on clearance at GC. Half the price of what they normally sell it for (so, about a 1/3 of the price of retail), all because the action was too low, truss rod needed adjustment, etc.

Their loss, my gain!