Great news everyone! I went ahead and ordered my Locke Yellow Jacket body & neck & contacted Kip @ Starr Guitars about my finish needs. 2 months before I get the parts from Locke but I am looking forward to this project! I will keep you guys posted on my progress!
Hi Sean! Wow..thank you for mentioning my video towards the end. I'm humbled by the compliments on my Bee project! I noticed you just ordered your Bee body and neck a few days ago (in another comment). If you plan to use any of the Floyd Rose tremolos, be sure to install your bushings into the raw body before doing any of the paint work! I made a critical mistake by not doing this and I might actually have to start over on one of my Bee bodies from that video series that you mentioned. I knew better than to start painting without having the bushings installed but at the time I wasn't sure where that body was going to end up so I didn't install the bushings...now I regret it. The holes drilled by Locke are VERY tight for the Original Floyd bushings...not to mention the northern ash is VERY hard so there is no "flex" inside the holes. Also, the neck pocket is very tight as well. So...avoid my mistake and do a full mock-build with all of your parts and hardware before starting! Good luck, and keep me posted! I'd love to see how your project goes!!! Cheers!!!
Hi Brian, thanks so much for all the pointers! I will definitely follow your advice and I will keep you posted my progress, iron sharpens iron! I have 8 weeks until the neck & body show up. *Sigh* the waiting is the hardest part...
@@scanjazz777 Yes, indeed. The anticipation builds....ha! Oh...I should mention, I know Chris Locke has sold the business to an existing company in Colorado (there was an Instagram post made about this recently). So, it might be smart to double check and verify what I just said above when you receive your body and neck, since my bodies were created over a year ago at his original shop in Ohio. In other words, the new builder that took over may have decided to modify a few things based on their preferences...so it wouldn't hurt to verify your Floyd bushing hole diameters compared to mine, etc. ...and since they are also building a matching neck, hopefully they will size them properly for a good fit right out of the box.
@@scanjazz777 Yes, that's correct. The standard size for a Floyd Rose bushing is 10.2 mm. After you receive your body, double check the diameter of the holes in the actual body to make sure it won't be too tight/undersized.
I built mine with pawnshop stuff and painted it myself using painters tape and just regular spray paint so the linens were a bit thicker ( Ed used electrical tape I believe) but I have OCD so I'm kinda detail oriented... Lol Anyway, I was more than satisfied with the final result. Funny thing though, I had the same problem as Ed had keeping the damn thing in tune...lol. Like I said earlier pawnshop guitars are a good way to go if you're on a tight budget. Hope that this is helpful in any way. Good luck with your project!!!!
Fender had problems with consistency on all MiM EVH stripe series guitars. In the beginning they hand taped them with results like your showing. … they started using paint masks with more consistency.💯
Cool video. Question about the Floyd- I got my Frankie a few weeks ago and the floyd is already resting on the body but the action is just slightly too high for my liking. I can’t lower it anymore. Any ideas on how to get the bridge to lower if it’s already resting on the body?
@@MrMike-fm8bp well I did that. But they just messed with the truss rod. The neck was already as straight as it could be. So it left me stumped on how to lower it. I’ve heard of people talking about taking the springs out of the back releasing the tension on the bridge so you can raise the two posts on each side. Then mounting the bridge back in place and putting the springs back on, but I’m having a hard time understanding how that will lower it just the little bit it needs for my desired action. It would elevate the string height even more and then I could possibly lower it once the posts are reset but I want to confirm with more people on this method before trying it out.
I think a shim for the neck would do the trick. It would raise the neck up so that you would be able to have a little room for the Floyd Rose to be adjusted down. Certainly take this to an experienced luthier & they would know exactly how to do this. Let me know how you do.
I think at best if you want to create a bumblebee replica with a more "accurate" bridge, floyd rose sell a non fine tuner version in "antique silver" which while not ENTIRELY accurate it's definitely a good jumping off point? (the blocks and saddle shapes on modern non fine tuning floyds are different though)
I found an older non-fine tuner FR2 and it is finished in black chrome. It looks close to the original & I am debating on wether or not to remove the chrome to the raw metal.
The original non fine tuner Floyd probably had a Nickel finish on it. You can still find nickel hardware here and there but I doubt FR offers anything in Nickel. My opinion is Nickel looks better and ages better than chrome nickel will darken and age quicker than chrome. Chrome will look newer longer but will pit, bubble and rust in not as appealing as nickel. I think nickel hardware was kinda the standard for guitars back in the day. You’d probably have to bead blast the chrome off the new stuff and have it nickel plated or perhaps you could get it powder coated to a less shiny grey or something similar looking to nickel. I really think nickel hardware just looks higher quality than chrome but that’s probably subjective. If you’re wanting to get as authentic as you’re talking about I think nickel is the only way to achieve what you’re going for.
Sean,,Eddie said it's the frankenstrat just painted black and yellow? I understood it to be the same guitar just new paint job,, I know I saw Eddie say that In a interview?
Actually, the Frankenstrat was the black & white one on the cover of VH I, then he retaped it and painted it red. The black & yellow Bumble bee was pictured on VH II. Here is a picture link that shows both guitars where the frankenstrat is shown with a white pickguard 2nd from right, the bee is on the left. www.reddit.com/r/Vulfpeck/comments/12hlsuu/eddie_van_halen_with_the_unreleased_joe_dart/
Great news everyone! I went ahead and ordered my Locke Yellow Jacket body & neck & contacted Kip @ Starr Guitars about my finish needs. 2 months before I get the parts from Locke but I am looking forward to this project! I will keep you guys posted on my progress!
Hi Sean! Wow..thank you for mentioning my video towards the end. I'm humbled by the compliments on my Bee project! I noticed you just ordered your Bee body and neck a few days ago (in another comment). If you plan to use any of the Floyd Rose tremolos, be sure to install your bushings into the raw body before doing any of the paint work! I made a critical mistake by not doing this and I might actually have to start over on one of my Bee bodies from that video series that you mentioned. I knew better than to start painting without having the bushings installed but at the time I wasn't sure where that body was going to end up so I didn't install the bushings...now I regret it. The holes drilled by Locke are VERY tight for the Original Floyd bushings...not to mention the northern ash is VERY hard so there is no "flex" inside the holes. Also, the neck pocket is very tight as well. So...avoid my mistake and do a full mock-build with all of your parts and hardware before starting! Good luck, and keep me posted! I'd love to see how your project goes!!! Cheers!!!
Hi Brian, thanks so much for all the pointers! I will definitely follow your advice and I will keep you posted my progress, iron sharpens iron! I have 8 weeks until the neck & body show up. *Sigh* the waiting is the hardest part...
@@scanjazz777 Yes, indeed. The anticipation builds....ha! Oh...I should mention, I know Chris Locke has sold the business to an existing company in Colorado (there was an Instagram post made about this recently). So, it might be smart to double check and verify what I just said above when you receive your body and neck, since my bodies were created over a year ago at his original shop in Ohio. In other words, the new builder that took over may have decided to modify a few things based on their preferences...so it wouldn't hurt to verify your Floyd bushing hole diameters compared to mine, etc. ...and since they are also building a matching neck, hopefully they will size them properly for a good fit right out of the box.
@@CoffeeDrinker71 Hmm, somewhat alarming but they seem to be moving forward normally. Thanks again!
@@CoffeeDrinker71 Locke or the new company said the Floyd Rose bushing diameter is 10.2 mm. Thanks for your wisdom!
@@scanjazz777 Yes, that's correct. The standard size for a Floyd Rose bushing is 10.2 mm. After you receive your body, double check the diameter of the holes in the actual body to make sure it won't be too tight/undersized.
I love that Bumblebee and the real proof is in the pudding with the sound excellent post and thanks
Glad you’re feeling better brother
Thank you!
I built mine with pawnshop stuff and painted it myself using painters tape and just regular spray paint so the linens were a bit thicker ( Ed used electrical tape I believe) but I have OCD so I'm kinda detail oriented... Lol Anyway, I was more than satisfied with the final result. Funny thing though, I had the same problem as Ed had keeping the damn thing in tune...lol. Like I said earlier pawnshop guitars are a good way to go if you're on a tight budget. Hope that this is helpful in any way. Good luck with your project!!!!
Thank you!
Well ! I really like how passionate you are about fine details ! Reminds of me ! lol You got a new sub here from Quebec !
Awesome! Thank you!
The copyright issue is because he used a Fender body and the EVH is another brand.
Great points thank you!
Great job man!
Thanks!
Fender had problems with consistency on all MiM EVH stripe series guitars. In the beginning they hand taped them with results like your showing. … they started using paint masks with more consistency.💯
Thanks for sharing!
Cool video. Question about the Floyd- I got my Frankie a few weeks ago and the floyd is already resting on the body but the action is just slightly too high for my liking. I can’t lower it anymore. Any ideas on how to get the bridge to lower if it’s already resting on the body?
I’d take it to your favorite tech for good complete set up , I did with mine when I bought a new Floyd hot rod for my Frankie
@@MrMike-fm8bp well I did that. But they just messed with the truss rod. The neck was already as straight as it could be. So it left me stumped on how to lower it. I’ve heard of people talking about taking the springs out of the back releasing the tension on the bridge so you can raise the two posts on each side. Then mounting the bridge back in place and putting the springs back on, but I’m having a hard time understanding how that will lower it just the little bit it needs for my desired action. It would elevate the string height even more and then I could possibly lower it once the posts are reset but I want to confirm with more people on this method before trying it out.
I think a shim for the neck would do the trick. It would raise the neck up so that you would be able to have a little room for the Floyd Rose to be adjusted down. Certainly take this to an experienced luthier & they would know exactly how to do this. Let me know how you do.
@@scanjazz777…..you are correct…at that point sounds like only shimming the neck would work 👍
I think at best if you want to create a bumblebee replica with a more "accurate" bridge, floyd rose sell a non fine tuner version in "antique silver" which while not ENTIRELY accurate it's definitely a good jumping off point? (the blocks and saddle shapes on modern non fine tuning floyds are different though)
I found an older non-fine tuner FR2 and it is finished in black chrome. It looks close to the original & I am debating on wether or not to remove the chrome to the raw metal.
What brand would be a good guitar to do a tribute myself? I’ve done a Frankenstrat & the black & white & would love to do a bumblebee. Thanks
Check out Locke Custom Guitars in the video. They make necks & bodies for all the Van Halen guitars.
I am still waiting for my to get painted!
@@scanjazz777 very nice. Bumblebee? Or Frankenstrat?
@@scanjazz777 awesome will do👍
@@uncleteddy78 bumblebee!
The original non fine tuner Floyd probably had a Nickel finish on it. You can still find nickel hardware here and there but I doubt FR offers anything in Nickel. My opinion is Nickel looks better and ages better than chrome nickel will darken and age quicker than chrome. Chrome will look newer longer but will pit, bubble and rust in not as appealing as nickel. I think nickel hardware was kinda the standard for guitars back in the day. You’d probably have to bead blast the chrome off the new stuff and have it nickel plated or perhaps you could get it powder coated to a less shiny grey or something similar looking to nickel. I really think nickel hardware just looks higher quality than chrome but that’s probably subjective. If you’re wanting to get as authentic as you’re talking about I think nickel is the only way to achieve what you’re going for.
Excellent points btw!😊
I had a really good dark humor joke for this but since I'm also a Dimebag fan I won't go there... 😂🤣
Ha, I do like dark humor, but I am also a Dimebag fan!
@@scanjazz777 if Eddie's the King of rock (which he is) then Dime is the Prince of metal. Great video btw!
Smoke another, it was in Missoula, Montana lol
Sean,,Eddie said it's the frankenstrat just painted black and yellow? I understood it to be the same guitar just new paint job,, I know I saw Eddie say that In a interview?
Actually, the Frankenstrat was the black & white one on the cover of VH I, then he retaped it and painted it red. The black & yellow Bumble bee was pictured on VH II. Here is a picture link that shows both guitars where the frankenstrat is shown with a white pickguard 2nd from right, the bee is on the left. www.reddit.com/r/Vulfpeck/comments/12hlsuu/eddie_van_halen_with_the_unreleased_joe_dart/
@@scanjazz777 thank you you are right I was confused on that thanks for responding