The Electra Forums

My brother passed away in the summer of 2001. I knew that he played guitar some. I was always amazed that he would try as a lefty to play right handed quitars. When I went out to his old farmhouse to begin cleaning and getting ready for a garage sale, I noticed an electra guitar upstairs in his bedroom. For years I did not do much with it. Last year I wanted to see if it played. Many problems including a machine head that at one time was severed and glued back togather.
I visited a few guitar shops in the twin cities here in Minnesota and most said..."wall hanger". But one young buck said it could be fixed. The stock was put on straight and soild though sloppy. I will cut to the chase. I want to play this old girl. I want my brothers quitar soul to come alive through my fingers. It is old and weathered just like him. I want to know what kind of wood, I want to know what I should put in her for pups. I want to know how I can touch up the headstock a bit. Some of the wood is showing and I would be satisifed just getting it black again without ruining the logo. I will also be putting new tuners on.
I am glad I found this sight. I am really looking forward to playing this axe. Any advice would be very much appreciated.

Crispy

Welcome,sounds like a worthwhile project-tons of people on here will be glad to help,but we need pictures! I'm sure your brother is smiling now...
Joe

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"If it ain't been in the pawnshop,it can't play the blues" R.L.Burnside

The neck is most likely a multi-piece (usually three) Maple neck. If the headstock snapped, it was probably in the vicinity of the truss rod adjustment, because its narrowest there. We've all seen sloppy headstock repairs, but most, as you indicate, are fairly solid. Sometimes the nut doesn't go back in quite the right place because of the repair proximity, so look closely at the end of the fretboard for gaps, etc.

The body can be many different types of wood. Like Ozark requests, some photos of the pickups and control covers removed would help us. A lot of these early LP copies had semi chambered bodies, and can be real fun, lively instruments to play. They will never be that valuable, even though many who have played them say they have more soul than their expensive American counterparts.

In that era, the pickups were most likely Maxon humbuckers. I have (as probably many of the members here...) a set floating around somewhere if you're interested. What all is missing? Welcome to the Forum.

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Electra Guitar Videos ===> http://www.youtube.com/user/mjm33mjm?feature=watch

Thanks for the nice welcome. I will try and post pictures of the guitar. Just as soon as I learn how. Nothing is missing from guitar. But what I have learned is that the original components were not all that great. So my intentions would be to replace the pick-ups with some new ones. replace the four pots, the jack and three way switch. I am leaning towards Seymor Duncans 59's.

All this is really new to me, cause I have never owned an electric, only played on a look-a-like strat a few times. There are many schematics out there, so that will be no problem. Just need some advice on grounding out the strings/bridge area. Since I don't believe that it was ever grounded. Anyway again thanks,

Crispy

Welcome aboard; keep us updated with any developments with your axe.

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RCSBlues

Good luck with the project. I would suggest you try it with the original pickups and electronics first. You can always change them later. Maxons can sound quite nice. The only caveat being that like most older pickups they can be a bit microphonic at high volumes. You can always pot them if you have this problem.

I shot a few pics. on my digital camera. Can anyone talk me through how to display them on the web-site.

Welcome to the forums. The easy way to post the pics would be to go to photobucket.com and open and account(account is free) and upload the pics to an album there then you can just click on the link they provide to copy it and past the link here in the forums. This way we can all click the link to see all the pics etc. Make certain you make it a public album. If you would like an example here is the link to my albums so you can see before you decide. http://s975.photobucket.com/albums/ae23 ... 20gang11c/
Hope it all goes well and I would also reccommend giving the original pups a try first. Arthur aka mortarman120gang11c

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

I will be posting some pictures of my 2244 super rock this week-end. Should I be going into the repair and restoration area for my questions regarding the project? One quick note, I did ohm both pups and they both are shot....open. that being said, I have talked with at least three different repair guys and they suggested the seymour duncan pickups. I think the 59 models. Hven't done anything yet other than remove all the components.

I want to overhaul this axe as best I can. I am not so much concerned with keeping it orignal as makeing it sound as good as I can, reasonably speeking. Again, i am not at all familiar with electric guitars. Being this is the first resoration job i am seeking any and many schools of thought.

Crispy

Repair and restoration would be a good place to show what you are doing and ask questions. To bad the pups are shot SD 59 pups are very reputable and should be a good match. If you are looking to spend a bit less, Guitar Fetish makes some nice pups at reasonable prices.

Welcome to the forum, Crispy. Check your message inbox for a PM from me.

I live somewhat north of the 7-County Metro Area and would be glad to take a look see if you could find some time for me.

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...throw me a frickin' bone here, people...

Well make it the way you like and I also like the sound of the 59 pups. Good Luck.

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