The Electra Forums

I just picked up this Outlaw guitar project. It had a broken headstock (sound familiar? guitars with mahogany necks should NEVER be allowed to fall over) that had been repaired, but it still needs cosmetic attention.

Otherwise, it's amazingly complete- I would hate to have to source any of these parts. About the only thing really missing is a bridge, but I'll use an Electra LP bridge until I can get info on what's more exactly correct. Mostly what it needs is TLC, some new screws to replace the rusty ones, and a bunch of cosmetic finish repair. There's a ton about this guitar that's really pretty- the tortoiseshell fretboard binding for instance, I didn't know they had that.

at right you can see the tortoiseshell binding, and the neck repair.



the pickups are super magnaflux, that bridge pup looks like the ones used on Electra LP's, with the black metal pickup ring, except without the square poles.


the body's made of nice solid chunks of mahogany. No MMK markings on the back of the pickups... maybe that started later?




I wish I knew what tuners were used- the shape is kinda odd.



it doesn't have the printed foil shielding like some MPC's.



I get the idea this may have been one of the earlier MPC's- the pickups and a lot of details remind me of earlier 70's Electras rather than later. But I find no serial number, presumably it was on a sticker now long gone. Anyone else have clues on how to date this thing? Anyone got a collection of other MPC's that might give a clue from the hardware details?

I just got a magazine ad for a Outlaw bass, and it states that "the cavities were treated with conductive paint which eliminates outside interference".

nice score

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My Electra Pages
I have too many projects!

nice one, X189.
my outlaw was the best made guitar i've ever had and possibly ever played. apart from the top-quality mahogany (hello, sustain!) and perfect finish, there's the tortoiseshell you mention, abalone markers, and lovely ebony fretboard. (yes, i say it WAS the best-made. she's gone now. she had a bit of a weight problem. it was the best made and HEAVIEST guitar i ever had!)

the tuners are grovers.
the serial number on mine was on a metalic plate/sticker thingy on the headstock.
not sure what you mean by printed cavity shielding. your shielding looks to be the same as mine and it was an '80.
strange that the headstock broke; outlaws are solid and have a sturdy chunky neck.

The X910 MPC Explorer has printing on the module cavity shielding, numbers 1 and 2, and I forget what else. I'll try to get a picture for comparison.

I'm not so surprised the headstock broke, the headstock is tilted backwards (not unlike a G****n) and that means all it has to do is fall over- unlike a straight headstock like a Phoenix or strat, the tilted headstock will take the full weight of the guitar. And isn't the neck mahogany?

I'm grateful the headstock repair seems solid and accurate. I'll jsut have some cosmetic work to bring it back to shape.

I'm looking forward to playing this thing, I hear so much good about them, although it's not a shape I ever imagined liking. A friend is asking if I'd consider parting with it, and I really haven't decided yet.

chunky is an adjective, not a type of wood.
the whole thing is mahogony. 3 pieces: 2wings on a neck-thru body.
i think broken or repaired headstock guitars are the best bargain out there. if the repair is done right, the headstock is actually MORE stable than it was before due to the glued joint. my friend got a 60s SG for $400-500 on ebay that everyone shied away from cuz of the broken headstock. it cost him $60 to have repaired professionally. presto. beautiful vintage SG!

Yes, broken headstocks are your best entertainment value! My best score was a cello with a broken neck, I'm repairing it to give to a cellist friend- I got it for $50 and it turns out it's a $2500 instrument. Should be good as new soon!

How did that project come along? Did anyone tell you where to find a bridge?

Get the larger Gotoh one from www.stewmac.com - I will get you the part number.

1511 is the part number - and comes in either chrome, nickel, or gold. You use the bushings supplied with the bridge and the screw right into the guitar, and the bridge fits tightly on top. It is much better than stock too - better quality, more adjustment (may be important since you have had a neck repair), sounds better, looks better. I have installed a few on MPCs with great results. It really is pretty cheap - about $25 or so after you ship.

You might be able to do the tonepros version, but that is a lot of money that is mostly wasted in my opinion (good bridge, actually the same bridge with a set screw).

Also, if you are cheap and adventurous you can try the one that GFS has on ebay. It is not the same bridge but I believe it to be a Chinese copy of it. It is about half the price. I have not tried it but it is advertised as an upgrade to most guitars (and most guitars will work with the gotoh).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... eName=WDVW

It is listed as a B04 bridge. If you try it - please report back to the forum to let us know if it works. That way we all will know. I bet it does. It is CHEAP, but still an upgrade over what was there I bet.

The japanese bridges on the electras are prone to pitting, siezing, and stripping/breaking screws in the saddles. The saddles wear badly and also can cut up strings. They are not the best. Sorry folks, I love these guitars but their bridges are kinda sucky.

Let us know how it turns out.

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Thorny

Hey Thorny -

I appreciate the heads up on the parts web sight; I will definitely utilize this.

The modified Power Overdrive MPCs are still working great!

Thanks again,

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RCSBlues

I've been out of town so haven't made progress yet. As I recall either the original bridge is present or else I thought I had an Electra LP bridge that would fit... if not, that sounds like the ticket.

The LP bridge would fit fine. I just did not see a bridge in any of the pics and thought you might need one.

I just ordered one of the GFS upgraded bridges to see how it is. Actually I won the auction for one for like $9 and with shipping it was up to $14 - not a bad price. If it is like the Gotoh it is copied off of we are in good shape, and while they look like the original electra bridge they have more adjustment, and to me are built better, definitely look better (than a typically pitted 30 yr. old electra bridge), and I thing they sound better. Anyhow, a $14 gamble.

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Thorny

haven't forgotten about this project- actually i just managed to get my studio rewired, and lights finally. so that will be a big help in getting things done. it's been hard restoring guitars in the dark...

any progress on the outlaw?

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My Electra Pages
I have too many projects!

actually yes, thanks for asking! :)

i've started to work on repairing the finish around the area where the headstock was glued. it's nothing major, but it's hard to think of reassembling it once and then taking it back apart to get at those areas.

I'll try to get pics soon.

so... its a year+ since your last post... is it back together yet?...

would love to see those pics you promised

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