Nitromessiah
Joined: Jul 03, 2012
Posts: 26
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Posted on Nov 12 2014 12:50 AM
I haven't looked into how to post photos on here yet, but I wanted to let you guys know I perfected the Hallmark Custom 60 and possibly other Mosrite clones, Jazzmaster/Jag type guitars using similar bridges like the C60.
First thing I did, was drill & tap the bridge height screws, machined brass washers, and installed a vertical setscrew. Then I had the tremolo block machined to lower the E and G string holes, so they have maximum downforce against the now locked down and stationary roller bridge. I also removed and reglued the string spacer (above the zero fret) with urethane glue.
The results were much more sustain, much more tone, and way more resonance, and a better setup as string height can be lowered if desired.
To finally have Mosrite tone (I rewired the guitar like a Ventures model) with Gibson sustain and resonance is a dream come true.
If anyone is interested in having this done on their Hallmark, I could figure up a price. It does no damage or non-reversible modifications to your guitar. The trem is the only thing that gets any permanent machining.
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SanchoPansen
Joined: Jan 04, 2011
Posts: 1588
Berlin L-Berg
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Posted on Nov 12 2014 01:25 AM
Why would anyone want more sustain on a Mosrite style guitar? That's the trademark sound everyone is after and really defines the tone of these instruments. I read this from time to time and there's always some people trying to get more sustain out of these guitars. It makes me sad 
— The Hicadoolas
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Nov 12 2014 06:50 AM
I know more than a few guitarists who would love their Mosrite clone to sound like the original Ventures model. I'll pass this on.
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
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Nitromessiah
Joined: Jul 03, 2012
Posts: 26
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Posted on Nov 13 2014 11:21 PM
Sancho, You have to remember that back in the day they used wound 3rd strings, my mods compensate for an unwound 3rd. So the lack of sustain is in fact not a trademark of the model, it's a change in times that didn't catch up.
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TheCruelSea
Joined: Feb 25, 2012
Posts: 131
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Posted on Nov 14 2014 12:21 AM
Im curious to how you rewired it. I have what I believe is the Ventures model wiring, but I have been wrong before. Do you have a schematic or something I could see?
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TomH
Joined: Mar 15, 2006
Posts: 766
Oberlin, Ohio, USA
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Posted on Nov 14 2014 11:09 AM
I made my own Ventures model wiring diagram to help me re-wire the many Japanese Mosrites that I've had. This is accurate. I hope it helps somebody.
image
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Sonichris
Joined: Mar 06, 2006
Posts: 1910
Wear gloves - I'm in the Rockies
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Posted on Nov 14 2014 03:00 PM
Nitromessiah wrote:
Sancho, You have to remember that back in the day they used wound 3rd strings, my mods compensate for an unwound 3rd. So the lack of sustain is in fact not a trademark of the model, it's a change in times that didn't catch up.
Not always - a lot of those late 50's,early 60's guys - especially the country guys, ditched the heaviest string of a 13-56 set, moved everything down, and used a banjo string as the high e. Essentially a set of 10-46's with an unwound G.
And I think the issue with a wound vs unwound G is a difference in volume, not sustain. Plain strings are louder.
I can see where locking the bridge down more firmly would help with sustain. Same with more break angle on the strings. More pressure on the saddles and bridge. Can we see a picture of your mod?
— "You can't tell where you're going if you don't know where you've been"
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Nitromessiah
Joined: Jul 03, 2012
Posts: 26
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Posted on Nov 15 2014 01:43 AM
If you tell me how to post pictures here, I'll be glad to show it. And that schematic is the same way I wired mine. The Hallmark came with 250k pots where it needed 500k, it did have a .05 cap however. I replaced all of that plus the jack which was crap. The 3-way switch was retained as were the pickups, although I did re-silicone the covers on.
Last edited: Nov 15, 2014 01:44:26
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Nov 15 2014 07:19 AM
Nitromessiah wrote:
If you tell me how to post pictures here, I'll be glad to show it.
Immediately under the edit box when you're writing a post is the Upload Photo feature. It's right below Video Attachments. Just click Browse to search your computer for the picture you want to upload, and click the Upload Photo button under the file you've selected. That's it.
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
Last edited: Nov 15, 2014 07:20:04
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19346
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Nov 15 2014 09:16 AM
Nitromessiah wrote:
If you tell me how to post pictures here, I'll be glad to show it.
http://wiki.surfguitar101.com/Sg101Faq/PostingPhotos
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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BJB
Joined: Jul 28, 2008
Posts: 413
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Posted on Nov 17 2014 01:59 PM
That wiring diagram is very interesting! It's a typical master volume/tone circuit, but one of the tone pot lugs is connected to ground. This is definitely going to cause some signal loss and create some interesting EQ for the signal (a 250K pot is going to have an even greater effect). The effect may be subtle but if this is how old Mosrites were wired, then this is what you have to do.
— If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
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TheCruelSea
Joined: Feb 25, 2012
Posts: 131
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Posted on Nov 17 2014 02:09 PM
What brand and what size strings do you use on the Hallmark?
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Nitromessiah
Joined: Jul 03, 2012
Posts: 26
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Posted on Nov 17 2014 09:09 PM
OK! I'll shoot some pics tonight and post them. At the moment I'm using D'addario XL Pure Nickels, 10's (EPN110). They feel kinda stiff but I have the action high so I can play a certain song and the 6th string not rattle. (it's .045, I need a .050-056 I think) I don't have any at the moment, but next week I'll try some 9's on it just to see how they feel.
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Nitromessiah
Joined: Jul 03, 2012
Posts: 26
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Posted on Nov 17 2014 09:10 PM
BJB wrote:
That wiring diagram is very interesting! It's a typical master volume/tone circuit, but one of the tone pot lugs is connected to ground. This is definitely going to cause some signal loss and create some interesting EQ for the signal (a 250K pot is going to have an even greater effect). The effect may be subtle but if this is how old Mosrites were wired, then this is what you have to do.
I'll post a picture of my wiring so you can see if it's the same or not.
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Nitromessiah
Joined: Jul 03, 2012
Posts: 26
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Posted on Nov 17 2014 11:50 PM
Stock vibrato/tailpiece
my modified vibrato/tailpiece
mounted and strung up
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Nitromessiah
Joined: Jul 03, 2012
Posts: 26
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Posted on Nov 17 2014 11:57 PM
here are a couple of photos of the modified bridge posts with lock screws in place. The bridge is now solid and locked in place. You can imagine how much more resonant the guitar is now. When the vibrato is used, the roller wheels are the only things that move.
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Nitromessiah
Joined: Jul 03, 2012
Posts: 26
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Posted on Nov 18 2014 12:01 AM
the stock Hallmark wiring (250k pots, tiny .050 cap, cheap jack)
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Nitromessiah
Joined: Jul 03, 2012
Posts: 26
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Posted on Nov 18 2014 12:03 AM
rewired with 500k pots, .047 cap, switchcraft jack (retained the stock 3-way switch)
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Nitromessiah
Joined: Jul 03, 2012
Posts: 26
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Posted on Nov 18 2014 12:07 AM
Not included, is a picture of the vibrato tailpiece moved closer to the bridge about 1/4". The existing 3/32" holes were filled with maple dowel rods to enforce the new holes. The only other mod I'll be making is replacing the tuners.
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Nitromessiah
Joined: Jul 03, 2012
Posts: 26
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Posted on Nov 20 2014 12:14 AM
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May Birthdays 
