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Joined:
September 2005
Posts: 98
Location: SF Bay area, California | I have 2 Pacemaker 1615's, a player and a project. Both purchased at good prices.
I want a wide neck 6 string fingerpicker, haven't yet completed a Folklore purchase.
The player is a 'natural' with finish cracks on the top, and some belly with the bridge raising. It is enough that the action is high. Roughly .11" bass and .08" treble at 12th fret. 12th fret measures .040 high. Original electronics are there, but I've not tried them. There is a substantial nick in the back of the neck under fret #1. SN1317XX
The project is a sunburst (not my favorite) 1615 with blue label. The bowl exterior has been painted white (previous owner wanted it cooler on sunny outdoor stages). Frets removed, slots open, minor chipping at #1. Bridge pickup is missing, preamp is there and not tested. Fingerboard appears sanded, color has lightened. One neck nick has been puttied.
SN1793XX
So, I have questions and am open to wild ideas that have nothing to do with my originals. Big spenders, cheapskates like me, and BFLG input is all welcome ;-)
New nut, bone or Tusq? Do that on the player, and give it a try with original bridge? Leave the player alone, and do the experimenting on the white one?
Frets: what size for a fingerpicker?
I'll probably be using 'light' strings. I'm thinking leaving all the tuners in place, and using the furthest ones, for a softer bending force.
Assume any of this is done with the original tops, these have 'fan bracing'. How good do you think it would sound as a 6 string? Most comments on our board suggest the A-bracing is a nice improvement on the Pacemakers.
Now assume one goes to Mother, to come back as a 6-string. Rework with A-bracing? What pickup/bridge/electronics? Cannibalize an iDea for electronics? Any non-O electronics/pickup you might choose?
How about a trip to Mother for refresh as 12 string? How much does this cost, in 2013 dollars? Hopefully those aren't as scarce as 2012 dollars - speaking for myself. For any wild *** guesses here, let's leave off the need for frets and pickup on the white one.
As a player, I've been a beginner since about 1970. None of this is about a showpiece. If it isn't going to sing like a Folklore, I'll just wait till I find the right deal there.
My mechanical skills are good, I'm not worried about fabricating a nut or installing frets. I'd probably take it to a pro for dressing.
Thanks,
Mark
San Carlos, CA |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | I had a Boss once that was known to hunt pheasant with his dogs.
Many times I would catch the conversation with Non-hunters where they would ask if pheasant tasted like chicken...
The answer is that chicken tastes like chicken and pheasant tastes like pheasant.
I told you that story to tell you this one.
If you can build it, then do so and enjoy the trip.
If you want a Folklore, get a Folklore.
If you want a custom build then dream big and go for it.
I think Bill would say get one of each... |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3666
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | I got a Pacemaker a few years ago, sans peghead. I made a new one, but 6-string. It was pretty sweet. Wide-neck, 12-fretter, low action, volume-only FET preamp.
Check it out:
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | I'm not the luthier that the previous two posters are, so my opinion comes from someone who is frugal, to use a polite term, but too lazy and unskilled to do a bunch of work myself. I suspect that you will spend a minimum of $400 to get any professional work done to either of those guitars. You will then have a guitar that is worth about $400 and may be a compromise of a Folklore. If you look hard enough, you can get a decent Folklore for around $400. It will probably sound better because the bracing is set up for a 6 string rather than a 12. A 12 just needs more bracing because of the extra tension from 6 more strings.
I'd do what you can to one of those 12s and keep the other one the way it is. If you fix up one to your satisfaction, either sell the other one or practice your luthiery skills on it. If you screw one up, you've still got the other and you're not out much. If you do a good job, you'll have at least one nice 12 and you can sell the other or use it as a beater. |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4536
Location: Flahdaw | I think this one is still available
http://sarasota.craigslist.org/msg/3361376488.html |
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Convert Pacemaker to Folklore? Buddy, could you spare an opinion?
