Ideas on fixing crazy butt gape?

[Longer]

So about 20 years ago I bought a parts caster. It was my number one all through my blurry rockstar days.

Not sure if it had a hum-bucker in the bridge when I got it, or if I had one put in. Either way, it was completely useless. But man, the 1980 Gibson in the neck is magic, both on it's own or with the mid pup.

It had a large Gotoh 6 saddle bridge to hold the useless hum-bucker, covering the poor routing job.

Anyway, it was long over due for a overhaul. After 20 years, my taste has changed, go figure.

I put in a 3 saddle bridge and a Don Mare 3 Speed (6k, 8k, 10k,). I wired the neck pup in the middle position of the 5 way, so if position 1 is the bridge pup, position 2 is neck with bridge. Also wired a concentric tone pot to tame the bridge pup on her own. Man she sounds amazing!!!

So I want to keep the 3 saddle because, well, I want the freaking 3 saddle right? But the crude routing that was for the bridge bucker is very exposed, and I can't find an over-sized 3 saddle bridge, and don't want one custom made.

Now, this guitar is beat to he'll and back. Looks are in no way a big deal to me, but still...

I have some ideas on how to cover this crazy butt gape, but wanted to throw it out there for your suggestions.

I you have any ideas, let em rip! Thanks!

[Guitarmadcat]

Yes, here in Engle land we have something called wood filler, in a tube. Can't imagine you don't have something similar there. If you can't get the colour you want, buy as-near-as-damnit and mix in some wood dye. Carefully apply but don't overfill the cavity. It dries fairly quickly so you can (carefully) sand flat in a couple of hours and touch in with some appropriate clear lacquer.

Sure, it may look a slight bodge from close up (but then so does the angle of that mid pup!) but should do the trick from a couple of yards away.

Good luck!

[dada]

Originally Posted by Guitarmadcat

Yes, here in Engle land we have something called wood filler, in a tube. Can't imagine you don't have something similar there. If you can't get the colour you want, buy as-near-as-damnit and mix in some wood dye. Carefully apply but don't overfill the cavity. It dries fairly quickly so you can (carefully) sand flat in a couple of hours and touch in with some appropriate clear lacquer.

Sure, it may look a slight bodge from close up (but then so does the angle of that mid pup!) but should do the trick from a couple of yards away.

Good luck!

Not sure I would follow his advise... just leave it alone.

[Phelonious Ponk]

Custom pick guard.

P

[musicalmartin]

Get a cut down bridge and a plastic humbucker pickup plate like this one might work or of course the custom pickguard .You could just drink and take more drugs and you'll probably forget all about it .

http://www.guitarfetish.com/Humbucke...RS_p_4350.html

[Jake_Blues]

Glue a block in the gap and then shape a piece of veneer to match the top...

[dgr888]

Duct tape fixes everything...

[StratBluesRock]

LOL @ thread title

I say just leave it alone.

[boris bubbanov]

I saw the title and I thought, "oh no, someone is trying to change the term I coined".

But actually, that IS butt gape and not just butt crack.

a) A Callaham bridge is wider but not enough to cover that;

b) A Gotoh six saddle bridge is wider still, and it may cover enough to please the eye. Do some calculations off the dimensions they give you on the Stewart Mac website and see if that will cover most of it. I am thinking a tiny bit will still show.

I've seen homemade bridge plates that were wider, meant to cover a HB rout and some look right and some only look OK. Really, really easy to have a large bridgeplate that so dominates the front of the guitar - but luckily this IMO is much less of an issue when done in black. But then coating it in black is just one more step.

I wish I had better news. Otherwise the guitar is real cool.

[Longer]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Leave it alone is the easiest, but you know, once something starts bugging you....

[crowhaven2000]

Originally Posted by Longer

So about 20 years ago I bought a parts caster. It was my number one all through my blurry rockstar days.

Not sure if it had a hum-bucker in the bridge when I got it, or if I had one put in. Either way, it was completely useless. But man, the 1980 Gibson in the neck is magic, both on it's own or with the mid pup.

It had a large Gotoh 6 saddle bridge to hold the useless hum-bucker, covering the poor routing job.

Anyway, it was long over due for a overhaul. After 20 years, my taste has changed, go figure.

I put in a 3 saddle bridge and a Don Mare 3 Speed (6k, 8k, 10k,). I wired the neck pup in the middle position of the 5 way, so if position 1 is the bridge pup, position 2 is neck with bridge. Also wired a concentric tone pot to tame the bridge pup on her own. Man she sounds amazing!!!

So I want to keep the 3 saddle because, well, I want the freaking 3 saddle right? But the crude routing that was for the bridge bucker is very exposed, and I can't find an over-sized 3 saddle bridge, and don't want one custom made.

Now, this guitar is beat to he'll and back. Looks are in no way a big deal to me, but still...

I have some ideas on how to cover this crazy butt gape, but wanted to throw it out there for your suggestions.

I you have any ideas, let em rip! Thanks!

I say leave it. Willie don't mind a gape.. Gives is character.

[Ronkirn]

I'd use a gotoh Humbucker bridge. and put a Humbucker in it… and never look back…. the change in pickup, and the resulting sound doesn't really mean diddly, as long as you can play… Oh, if ya can't play. no one cares either..

r

[chipbutty24]

Definitely just leave it.

[Longer]

Oh, I can play Ron! After 25 years, I know 3 chords and everything!

You gotta love a guitar maker that flat out says "the resulting sound doesn't really mean diddly". LOL!!! Nothing but love and respect for ya man, honestly.

I gotta say, the Don Mare mixed with the neck pup sounds freaking great. Makes my 3 chords sound REAL good. :)

[63dot]

Originally Posted by Phelonious Ponk

Custom pick guard.

P

+1

You can put this concept (below) and have the pickguard migrate like a glass of spilled milk and cover all the naughty bits.

[hemingway]

You could design a natty feature bridge-surround.

[southwoodgtars]

I did this on a crudely routed body. I just scribed it then made little pieces to fit. I did not put any finish on it but, you could use maple pieces and try and match the finish. I hope this helps.

[Longer]

Thanks again for the input. After thinking about it, leaving it alone is the best call. Why hide it? It truly fits the "beat to hell frankin-caster" theme. She is also a neat contrast to my other guitars.

Here is a taste of some true road wear. Not sure how she got this way, guessing a little at a time. :)



And here is the "alligator skin" checking, with other scars.


Ugly as sin, but it makes her who she is. So yes, butt gape fits her well. Ok, time to maybe learn a 4th chord. Oh, geeez, on second thought... :)

[Matthias]

You could saw thew sides of a pickup surround and screw them into the old holes either side of the bridge plate.

Alternatively, you could get two strips of veneer and pin them along each side of the bridge.

But I think cutting pieces wood and staining them a similar colour would be the nicest-looking (albeit hardest option).

[Jazzy Jay]

I believe this one will cover the gap. It's 3.75" wide



http://www.ebay.com/itm/Texas-Custom...item43b0b7e848