Johnson JS -500 Upgrade Update

In a post back in 2010 I wrote about my worries that something might break on this one and that's exactly the reason why I had to do some upgrades to make it playable again.



A picture that shows the original condition:

Over time the tuners startet to slip and get wobbly, so I had to change them.

Then the bridge started to ratlle and the bushings came loose, so I exchanged it with a Schaller STM bridge and tialpiece.

While I was at it, I replaced the stock pickups with a set of "Berserker" humbuckers by Viking Pickups.

Actually advertised as Thrash Metal pickups, these two sport Alnico V magnets with alleged 8,6k and 16,6k DC resistance. Doesn't really matter much, all this means is that they're pretty hot but I don't turn them up all the way and they sound quite decent.


Recent models of this guitar are sold as Johnson JS - 500 "Grooveyard" and are now made in China, with a maple top and back over the centerblock and a maple neck.
But Johnson Guitars is a rather elusive brand and solid information is hard to come by, so I'm not sure about the actual specs of my guitar.
That said, the instrument itself plays nicely and holds up well over the years and now the hardware is up to snuff too.

It has the "appropriate" scale length of 628 mm (24,75") and I put 10 - 46 strings on.
Tuning is E - standard.

Johnson Guitar - Cosmetical Update

I liked this one very much - it was very flashy with all those bindings but not quite
coherent.

Had to do something about those black plastic parts.

It's close and almost there but I had to do something about the pickup rings.

That's better.

Knobs with abalone inlay just like the binding.

Tres Hombres

Cheers!

Johnson JLP - 50 WA Classic Series

Now I know, I posted this one before http://bartbowlesblog.blogspot.co.at/2010/03/mr-brown.html

I didn't post the details though, so here they are, mainly to help me recall all the (useless) information:

Built in 2010
Mahogany neck and body
Korina top
Walnut finish
Rosewood fingerboard
Three Tesla VR - 60 Classic Gold Pickups

So there you go - all the secrets of "Mr. Brown" revealed.

Johnson Sugar Plum Fairy - Changing The Signature Of A Signature Guitar

Now, after quite some time I have work space and leisure mess with some guitars.
This one is my one and only signature guitar (so far...).

It's a Johnson model for the band "Sugar Plum Fairy" and I must confess I know nothing about them. Ferocious fans please, I'm utterly sorry.

But the guitar is fine, I always liked the trem system in particular, vintage style yet floating and solid - nice.

Since copyright is quite a serious thing I won't put pictures of the original on the blog but a quick search on the web might serve if you're interested in the original looks.

Mine now has two old DiMarzios at neck and middle position and a Fenix Humbugger (yeah!) at the bridge.
Due to soldering mishaps I have a phase cancelling situation when the bugger and the middle coil is selected - an issue of changing two wires - but I must say, I quite like the thin sound, so maybe I will keep it that way.

Johnson Doublecut - A worthy companion

PRS - like guitar by Johnson. Bought as good as new about 4 years ago.
Used to be the ol' robbers main instrument on stage for a while.
Was eventually replaced by a Cort MGM 1.

The neck pickup has one of the darkest tones I've ever heard.
And by "dark" I don't mean muddy or dull.
I'm talking about playing in the tunnel system of an abandoned mine.
I'm starting to feel a little cold already...

Looks kind of fancy - schmancy with all the glitter and gold but the "flamed top" is neat.
Would prefer "Seafoam Green" though... just kiddin'.

Johnson Semi Hollow - The Dot

ES-335 copy by Johnson.
Nothing special here.
Decent sounding, nice guitar and great value for the price.

As always I'm waiting for something to break sooner or later.
Up until now everything's fine.
Does the blues rather well I must say.

Johnson Les Paul - "Mr. Brown"

Les Paul Custom with three humbuckers.
Mahogany neck and body with Korina veneer, Rosewood fretboard.

Really nice guitar but I´m thinking about changing the looks a little bit.

Question is: go for full fanciness or for understatement?

The dark brown colour gives it a very elegant look
which might be spoiled by too much "glitter".
Yet it´s tempting to try and pimp the hell out of it!

Opinions anyone?