1966 Ventures II (German Carved) Restoration

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101Volts
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Re: 1966 Ventures II GC Restoration

Postby 101Volts » Sat Jan 14, 2012 8:41 pm

I really don't want to sound like a jerk here, I'm not even sure if talking about something like this is allowed here but I feel like I should say it. And I feel awful for saying this, I pray it's not as bad as it seems.

I haven't heard from Ed since December 30th, 2011 when he called me and my guitar parts (Non Roller G Saddle, Bridge and Neck Pickups + Rings, Electronics, Pickguard, Pickup Switch Tip, Volume and Tone M Knobs) Haven't arrived. The last time he called me he said he finished the pickups and that he'd call me on Monday, January 2nd, Which he never did, And he said I'd receive my parts on Wednesday, January 4th, And I didn't receive them then - Of course, I didn't receive them EVER - I've called Ed numerous times now for over a week, He's never responded and for the last few times I called I only got his answering machine without the phone ringing. My Dad is super upset over this too; As far as he's concerned, Ed is stealing from us by not sending the parts. (Please don't take that out of context) I don't believe that nor do I want to but since I haven't had any contact with Ed for over two weeks it's very concerning.

Please don't hate me.

Also, Whee, This is the first post on Page 5. Nice, I won't be able to update this particular post so whoever reads this, Look below for updates once they've been posted.

Austin
1966 Ventures II (German Carved, B670.)
1970s "Not a Blues Bender" Bodies: 2.
1976 Brass Rail Deluxe #10.
2013 Fender Pawn Shop Bass VI.

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Veenture
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Re: 1966 Ventures II GC Restoration

Postby Veenture » Sun Jan 15, 2012 11:33 am

Austin, how can we hate you? I would feel quite uncomfortable myself in a similar situation. I hope Ed (Elliott) is OK :?
-Paul

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Re: 1966 Ventures II GC Restoration

Postby 101Volts » Sun Jan 15, 2012 1:10 pm

Well, Such thoughts do come to my mind since my Dad is upset over it. He always takes negative things much heavier than I do, I'm sure he has reason to, And it makes me feel like I might be doing something wrong by being considerate. Also, It feels like I'm bashing Ed's reputation with a sledgehammer.

I checked Ed's profile here, His last login was on January 9th at 2:38 PM. I do hope he's alright... :(

Austin
1966 Ventures II (German Carved, B670.)
1970s "Not a Blues Bender" Bodies: 2.
1976 Brass Rail Deluxe #10.
2013 Fender Pawn Shop Bass VI.

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101Volts
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Re: 1966 Ventures II GC Restoration

Postby 101Volts » Wed Jan 18, 2012 4:25 pm

I got a call from Ed today, Glad to hear he's alright. He's sending most of the parts tomorrow, The pickguard is going to take a little bit longer as his MK V Pickguard Template seems to have been misplaced. I hope the parts all arrive safe and sound.

Austin
1966 Ventures II (German Carved, B670.)
1970s "Not a Blues Bender" Bodies: 2.
1976 Brass Rail Deluxe #10.
2013 Fender Pawn Shop Bass VI.

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101Volts
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Re: 1966 Ventures II GC Restoration

Postby 101Volts » Wed Jan 25, 2012 6:13 pm

Ed's Pickups and Wiring Harness arrived today, I installed the parts and they all work and sounds great! I played a few B-52's songs and there was the magic tone, Sort of like a Fender with seasoning. :mrgreen: I'm glad I decided to buy these pickups rather than the regular Ventures I style; I don't think those would sound right, Given how the design differs with the magnets. Also, Maybe I'm just excited that the parts arrived but I think this is now my favorite guitar; It's comfortable to play, It doesn't put strain on my hands and I had more fun playing those B-52's songs today than I've had playing guitar in the last six months! I look forward to installing the rest of the parts, Hopefully they'll be here soon!

Austin
1966 Ventures II (German Carved, B670.)
1970s "Not a Blues Bender" Bodies: 2.
1976 Brass Rail Deluxe #10.
2013 Fender Pawn Shop Bass VI.

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101Volts
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Re: 1966 Ventures II GC Restoration

Postby 101Volts » Thu Jan 26, 2012 2:29 pm

Here's a pic of the guitar with the pups and wiring installed:

Image

Next, I need the pickguard, knobs, saddle, pup switch tip and a refinish. The current finish doesn't look bad from a distance, I'm having more thoughts about what I should finish it to now. I may still go with orange.

Austin
1966 Ventures II (German Carved, B670.)
1970s "Not a Blues Bender" Bodies: 2.
1976 Brass Rail Deluxe #10.
2013 Fender Pawn Shop Bass VI.

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101Volts
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Re: 1966 Ventures II GC Restoration

Postby 101Volts » Mon Mar 12, 2012 5:38 pm

No updates this time but here are a few thoughts about the guitar:

You could probably overdrive an amp with MK V pickups even if you used a set of 8s.

The neck and low frets are very nice for rhythm playing but I think a 7.25" Fretboard Radius would help my style a little bit more. That will change the tone a little bit, Though.

EVO Frets, Not Stainless Steel frets, Would be better to use for a longer low fret life. (BTW, Did EVO frets exist in the 60s?) I'll probably replace the zero fret with an EVO fret when the time comes.

The body is very comfortable to hold.

The short length of the guitar (Not scale length) Is nice; I don't have to reach far to the first fret, Unlike most other guitars I own.

The guitar is light because of the Basswood body but it dents very easily.

I mentioned this before but it's very nice to palm-mute with these non-roller saddles.

Austin
1966 Ventures II (German Carved, B670.)
1970s "Not a Blues Bender" Bodies: 2.
1976 Brass Rail Deluxe #10.
2013 Fender Pawn Shop Bass VI.

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101Volts
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Re: 1966 Ventures II GC Restoration

Postby 101Volts » Sun Apr 08, 2012 12:35 pm

I haven't received my parts and I haven't heard from Ed since February 17th or 18th. I called him then and he said he'd send my remaining parts the following week but he never gave me a confirmation call to tell me the DC number, Assuming he sent the parts (He didn't give me a confirmation call for the first package either but I got it without issues), And he never returned any of my following calls last month inquiring if he sent my parts. I don't intend to be a mean raincloud but I have to say, Things aren't looking good with this transaction. BTW, I sent Ed a PM here but he hasn't seen it yet since he hasn't logged in since before I sent it. The pickups and wiring harness also still work nicely and I'm satisfied with them but where are the remaining parts?

Austin
1966 Ventures II (German Carved, B670.)
1970s "Not a Blues Bender" Bodies: 2.
1976 Brass Rail Deluxe #10.
2013 Fender Pawn Shop Bass VI.

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101Volts
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Re: 1966 Ventures II GC Restoration

Postby 101Volts » Sun Apr 08, 2012 1:03 pm

Well, I called Ed a third time today and I got to talk to him. He said he'll send the parts tomorrow and he'll also tell me the DC number tomorrow. I'm glad to hear that, If he doesn't get around to calling me tomorrow I'll call him the next day.

Austin
1966 Ventures II (German Carved, B670.)
1970s "Not a Blues Bender" Bodies: 2.
1976 Brass Rail Deluxe #10.
2013 Fender Pawn Shop Bass VI.

User avatar
101Volts
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Posts: 2486
Joined: Sun Mar 01, 2009 10:33 pm
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Re: 1966 Ventures II GC Restoration

Postby 101Volts » Mon Apr 16, 2012 1:18 pm

The pickguard and knobs arrived:

Image

Image

I'm happy with them. While I had the guitar apart I put in an anti-shock circuit between the bridge and ground, Now I don't have to worry about dying from electrocution if I ever run into bad wiring in a building. Next, I need the switch tip and non-roller G string saddle from Ed. After that I need to: Refinish the body; Get a vibrato arm; And put some shims under some saddles to prevent them from rocking from side to side.

Austin
1966 Ventures II (German Carved, B670.)
1970s "Not a Blues Bender" Bodies: 2.
1976 Brass Rail Deluxe #10.
2013 Fender Pawn Shop Bass VI.


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