Just picked up a '67 Bronco, which at some point has been apparently customised by john birch.The neck is in really good condition, with f-tuners (although one will need replacing as it's bent and the neck'll probably need a fret dress.
The white scratchplate looks original (strangely it's pearloid on the back) but has been cut to fit two different pups - the two that are fitted don't seem to look right though, and the neck pup looks like it's off a tele.
The body has also had some routing and has been painted over inside so i'm not sure if it's been completely resprayed.The trem's missing a spring that fits right under the top plate.
So, what do you think i should do - Full resto back to original spec or should i set it up as is using the pickguard/pups etc?
Personally i thinking of replacing the scratchplate and bridge pup to original, clean the neck up and leave as is.
honeyiscool wrote:That's a pickup route job from hell.
+1 Ouch. Full Restore on the double. That's a dream project right there. Get a pickup and a new pickguard and you will be all set. Kinda like my Music Master I just finished. Those Bronco knobs look gnarly.
Looks like it will make a fun project though. Get a new pickguard, burn the old one along with those terrible pickup surrounds, and sand the giant "john birch" decal off of the headstock, and you'll have a nice looking guitar!
Should be up and running without much trouble at all, really. I wouldn't bother filling the routes (maybe the neck route at least). It's all under the pickgaurd.
John Birch was a UK luthier, best known for weird original designs for Slade and the Gary Glitter Band. His name lives on.
In 1993 John Birch and John Carling restarted the business from Nottingham UK and again came up with a new more advanced range of pickups and using modern paint process improved the finish still further.
In 2000 John Birch died and left the business to John Carling to carry on and this is the business today offering a range of products and services.
hotrodperlmutter wrote:i wouldn't bother with the routes, just slap a new pg on, route out a neck pickup hole and a 3 way switch on the lower bout, throw a set of avri jag pickups in and call it a day.
well it doesn't look like a john birch kinda job... his work is chaotic but not that messy.
careful, i know you might wanna restore it and all, but it might be worth several broncos. AFAIK, there's some serious birch-guitar (and mod) collectors out there. there was at least one i knew on the plexi palace forum: http://vintageamps.com/plexiboard/viewt ... ch#p874485
just my 2 cents.
BUT... again, i'm not sure it could be a "real" birch.
it seems the pickup routes in the guard look a bit cleaner... it COULD have maybe had some original birch pups in it. but it wouldn't explain the messy routs.
That's my Bronco's brother (OCT 67). Really nice necks. Heres what to do. Get the frets levelled. The bent tuner probably works fine. If so leave it. One of my pegs actually falls out with no spring tension. I love those pickguards. It's probably shrunk so it's pulling in on the screws. Tape over whatever you don't use. Change you name to John Birch and rock the living shit out it.
Pacafeliz wrote:well it doesn't look like a john birch kinda job... his work is chaotic but not that messy.
careful, i know you might wanna restore it and all, but it might be worth several broncos. AFAIK, there's some serious birch-guitar (and mod) collectors out there. there was at least one i knew on the plexi palace forum:
just my 2 cents.
BUT... again, i'm not sure it could be a "real" birch.
it seems the pickup routes in the guard look a bit cleaner... it COULD have maybe had some original birch pups in it. but it wouldn't explain the messy routs.
good luck!
Pat.
Yep, you might want to do some guitar detective work before you go too far. There has got to be someone that could know what you have. Looks like there is a new incarnation of John Birch Guitars. They might have some answers.
Cheers for the replies guys - at the moment all i'm going to do is change the pickguard - i have a spare mustang pup which i'll connect up to some new pots etc but i'll use the original vol/tone knobs, string it up to see how it sounds.
The trem arm is missing so i need to look out for one.It also has a metal nut fitted (not brass - looks almost alloy).
The earth is wired under the trem plate - is this correct and should their be sheilding by the routing?
Whats the best thing to use on the body and neck to clean it up?There's some serious crud buildup in places.
In extreme cases, I spray vinegar (Windex makes vinegar spray), use it to clean the superficial grime, then I let it dry for a few hours. Then I use lemon oil and microfiber to get the real gunk out.
