The Electra Forums

I have not posted anything on here for a while, but have been dipping in now and then and am always keeping my eye out for Electras on this side of the pond.

My one and only electra is an X330 that I obtained as a body only.

Initial restoration story here on

viewtopic.php?f=26&t=4248&hilit=x330

Since then I have modified the guitar a little (I cannot help fiddling with guitars but now I think I am satisfied)

http://s284.photobucket.com/albums/ll4/ ... %20Bigsby/

So I have added a bigsby style tremolo, changed the plastics to black (which I think looks better than the cream with the dark red sunburst (more a heritage sunbust)). Rear pickup switched to a overwound 12k pickup with Alnico 5 magnet. Custom Made cover to cover the holes fromt he original tailpiece.
Three Chicken heads for active electronics, bass, middle and Treble, makes it easier to see how they are set when playing.

I chose a B5 type bigsby as the B7 would make too sharp a string angle over the bridge (the bridge is quite high on the guitar even for the lowest of actions. I had seen Zappa using a B5 pretty far back on his Goldtop so followed that idea. I was worried that the wood at the rear of the guitar would not be thick enough to support the bigsby with the cavity for the effects being there but there are no issues (though the end of the screws can just be seen in the cavity (hand place to solder the ground wire ). The WWilkinson roller bridge works well and the guitars tuning is solid. Having the bigsby at the back also helps keep the arm out of the way for regular playing but close enough to grab for whammy bar action.

I love this guitar and use it most of all, it is a player and although not 100% original it is my number one axe.

Just thought you may be interested to see it again.

Regards

Stewart (from over the pond)

I think you've done a great job....it is indeed "Custom Made", Love those tortoise covers on that guitar. It turned out a beauty. I also like that style tremelo although I've never used it on a Paul, just my SGs. I'd like to play that thing a bit.

Nice work.....

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JD's Electras

Very nice and original custom work. I also think the covers go very well with the sunburst color. The bigsby looks great on there also. Congrats and nice work.

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Always give thanks for everyday, It may be your last so Rock On Semper Fi!!