SF III w/P-90s

[mad dog]

It's on the truck, should be here soon. Longtime curiosity for this model. Not easy to find, and I've been looking for years. Traded into it ... hoping for the best:

MD

 

[SouthernSounds]

Congrats, MD: I'll wait for your report!

Hope you like it!

All the best,
B.

 

[littlesongs]

I hope this is the one you've been looking for all along and it was worth the wait.

 

[Default]

I was playing the Goddess yesterday and while the Franz repros are not quite the same as those P-90's, I'm sure you'll be digging it! :mrgreen:

 

[matsickma]

I have been fortunate to aquire a pair of Corona SF3-90's (Blond & Antique Sunburst). Love playing them. Since the GSR T-500's have come out I have been planning to swap out the P90's and install a pair of Franz pups on the Blond. Before I do the pup swap it I need to decide how to fab the spacers for the bridge pup.

I think you will enjoy your latest GAS.

M

 

[mad dog]

Thanks all, for your encouragement!

Just got this red beauty. Unwrapped, tuned up and checked out at length. Quick impressions:

- Very attractive guitar, such a deep, lovely crimson finish.
- Nearly new condition. A few marks on the back, minor stuff. It looks little played.
- Fine sounding P-90s. Right up there with the Lollars and Wolfetones I'm growing used to in other guitars.
- Not an instant feedback machine. It's there, but as with other thinner body hollows I've tried, easy to keep things in balance at medium volumes.
- Played a bit stiff at first. A coupe truss rod tweaks, some judicious lowering of the action later, feeling much more relaxed.

My only surprise here is the pinned bridge. Hadn't noticed that in the pics. Small screws through the metal bridge plate. I don't know how deep the screws go ... whether they just intrude into the body wood, or go through. I'm guessing this was an aftermarket mod, yes. String spacing is not quite ideal. The high E is inset a touch too far. You can see from the pic how the strings don't line up with treble tailpieces. Playing it though, it feels and sounds great.

Maybe I'll mess with a different bridge. Not sure yet. I usually don't much go for the metal bridges, but this one seems to be sonically well matched with guitar and pickups. This thing sounds great!! BTW, the pickguard is off the guitar, but in the case. And I'm not at all sure of how the TRC cover goes. PERHAPS SOMEONE HERE WILL HELP ME OUT WITH THAT!!

md

 

[littlesongs]

I'm not at all sure of how the TRC cover goes. PERHAPS SOMEONE HERE WILL HELP ME OUT WITH THAT!!

Thanks to Thunderface for the excellent illustration. :lol:

Woo-hoo!! The P-90s have landed.

 

[matsickma]

A pinned bridge is not a feature on the two guitars I use.

M

 

[walrus]

That's a really pretty finish, mad dog! Enjoy!

walrus

 

[Jeff Haddad]

That's a beauty, congrats!

 

[Default]

I have been fortunate to aquire a pair of Corona SF3-90's (Blond & Antique Sunburst). Love playing them. Since the GSR T-500's have come out I have been planning to swap out the P90's and install a pair of Franz pups on the Blond. Before I do the pup swap it I need to decide how to fab the spacers for the bridge pup.

I think you will enjoy your latest GAS.

M

Mine look like off-the-shelf spacers. Not sure where they were sourced. Whenever you do the pup swap, keep us posted. I have a T-100 where the seller added another Mickey Mouse, but he couldn't be bothered to route the proper place. :?

 

[Zelja]

Looks great MD! Congrats & enjoy. The bridge looks like it's set up for a wound 3rd.

 

[southernGuild]

8) A red Rocker!! Beautiful.

 

[mad dog]

Looks great MD! Congrats & enjoy. The bridge looks like it's set up for a wound 3rd.

A wound third. Hmm. So I'm guessing they make two versions of this bridge? Might have to look for the other version. Thanks.
MD

 

[Jeff Haddad]

No - the bridge pictured on yours is for an unwound G. On a wound G bridge the saddle is positioned closer to the neck and the B saddle is closer to the tailpiece than the G saddle.

 

[mad dog]

Jeff:

Thanks for clarifiying. Think I'll get another bridge top anyway. This one has grooves cut for the strings, and the spacing could be improved. A question for you ... is it necessary to groove the top of the bridge saddle area to use it? Or would it be just as good with no grooves?

Thanks.
MD

 

[Jeff Haddad]

I think they usually have a slot for the string. I have Bigsby bridges with more than one slot - don't remember if I did that or not but you can just file another slot next to the one that doesn't line up. Make sure to polish or smooth it so there's no burr to catch or break the string.

 

[Default]

If there are no slots, the strings won't stay spaced correctly, as they will slide back and forth. You are lucky, MD, they didn't make many unwound G bridges and you can't get them from FMIC. :|

 

[mad dog]

I found a guy over on gretschpages selling one of these bridges, mounted on a wooden base. With intonation set for unbound G. Told him I want it. If I can get it, I'll have my favorite guitar tech set it up and put grooves at the right spacing for this guitar.

This pinned bridge is another issue. I am disappointed to see that, wonder how easy it would be to fill those little holes and touch up the finish. That said, it might never happen. Not my chosen means of ensuring a good setup, but it sure works. Very solid guitar, well intonated, and the Bigsby works just as it should. So I might leave it.

Such a pretty guitar. Guild has made so many truly lovely instruments, then and now.
MD

 

[Zelja]

No - the bridge pictured on yours is for an unwound G. On a wound G bridge the saddle is positioned closer to the neck and the B saddle is closer to the tailpiece than the G saddle.

Yeah, sorry about the mis-information. Brain snap! :shock: :roll: