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March 2009
Posts: 21
Location: Mass | Hi,
New to the list. I always wanted a Breadwinner or Viper and a Viper body came up on ebay. Since then I have been looking around for parts and found few with hefty prices. Bummer. I can wait to find parts, but what should I expect?
I also have a old Celebrity Deep Bowl, kind of beat. but plays and sounds great.
-ugmold |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13984
Location: Upper Left USA | Welcome to the Quicksand Ug!
I have a couple of parts myself :rolleyes: and I come from Brockton, MA.
What came with the body? Maybe we can help you finish something. |
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Joined:
March 2009
Posts: 21
Location: Mass | Hey MWoody,
Weymouth Mass here. It looks like it is a Viper 3, which I'm sure makes it a little bit harder to track down parts. But I need everything but the body. It is still in the mail, I think it has strap buttons at least...lol.
-ugmold |
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Joined:
July 2005
Posts: 3408
Location: GA USA | That may be a challenging project, but a Viper 3 would be very cool. The one thing to do is try and make it as close to an original as far as pickups and switches as you can.
If you don't really care if you wind up with a 2 or 3 pickup model, or if you don't really want a long project, I personally would sell the body to Woody (don't tell him I said so, but he's a sucker for viper parts) and buy an original Viper for under $500.
That's just what I'd do. I'm not much of a tinkerer.
Welcome! |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7211
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Unless you can find a real beater that has good parts, it can get pricey to build one up. I have most all of the parts, but as the Capt states, you could buy a complete one in good shape for what you would have to pay to build one.
As far as Viper or Viper III. At a point, ALL of the bodies had Viper III potential in that they were routed for 3 pickups. I assume it was just easier that way. They put on Viper or Viper III pickguard and controls as needed. |
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Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Those Viper III pups are pretty hard to come by. If I recall correctly, the neck pup is the same as the II, but the bridge and middle are wound differently.
I have a Viper III bod laying around which I will complete someday, so if anyone has those PUPS laying around let me know.
Miles - I'm pretty sure that a couple of the Viper II bods I have are only routed for 2 pups. I'll check when I get home. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7211
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Early on the bodies were routed for two or three pickups... at some point later in the run... they started doing them all as 3's. Or maybe.. they had a bunch of III's they just decided to use as regular Vipers... but I have seen regular 2-pickup Vipers with both 2 and 3 routes. |
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Joined:
March 2009
Posts: 21
Location: Mass | Hmmm, sounds grim. I guess I should look for a complete guitar, I don't want to spend a ton on parts when I could buy a complete one for less, So I guess its up for Trade, or sale. I'd rather trade it for something interesting. Bigsby B5?
-ugmold |
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Joined:
July 2005
Posts: 3408
Location: GA USA | Ug, don't give up on the Viper, though. They are so sweet to play and a bargain. |
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Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | There's a complete pickguard/pups on ebay right now.... just make it a Viper II. You'll love it!
Viper PUPS/PG |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13984
Location: Upper Left USA | Ugmold,
(As in they broke the mold when you were made?) What kind of budget do you have for a Viper?
If totally stock is what you want you are better off finding one on Ebay.
If you like surprises I could build you one. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7211
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | There are three on eBay now in an assortment of price ranges. |
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Joined:
March 2009
Posts: 21
Location: Mass | Just got it today,
Its nice. Clear finish, dark-ish, maybe nutmeg? I think I may hold out a bit and maybe I'll get lucky considering the economic times.
I saw the pups/pickguard on epay...too pricey fro me, I'm always do things on a budget which takes more waiting and searching, but thats part of the fun.
MWoody, you got parts? I have looked at SunnyLedges before, but was turned off by the prices.
Thanks for all the replys!
-ugmold (ugly and moldy) |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13984
Location: Upper Left USA | Keep watching the markets and get up on your knowledge of the parts. If you are quick and keen you can piece a nice one together for under $500.
The same goes for watching for a complete one and nabbing it under $350.
Miles has good pictures and descriptions and you get what you pay for.
Don't be afraid to ask a lower price... but don't whine when you get "No". |
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January 2006
Posts: 1112
Location: NW Washington State | If I wanted an original Viper, I'd be patient and buy a complete one from a good seller on eBay.
You might want to wait and watch for a Viper neck at a reasonable price. Bridges aren't too hard to find. Make your own neckplate. Then have Woody make a pickguard for whatever pickups you like. You can have a fun guitar without spending too much if you're not in a hurry.
-Steve W. |
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March 2009
Posts: 21
Location: Mass | I only hope when these parts come up I can beat you dogs too them! lol
-ug |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 1112
Location: NW Washington State | Originally posted by ugmold:
I only hope when these parts come up I can beat you dogs too them! lol -ug I'm always looking for a reasonably priced Ovation neck. And neckplate. And pickups. I have searches saved for them. An eBayer named "fishy" or something like that still gets the best ones before I notice them. :) |
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December 2003
Posts: 13984
Location: Upper Left USA | 
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May 2008
Posts: 160
Location: Montana | MWoody, in the top picture is that an O neck with the scalloped part of the headstock trimmed? Or is that just the camera angle? I toyed with the idea of doing that to my "Van Gogh" Elite but I couldn't convince myself that it would be an improvement. I still really like that "cool mint" one ... |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13984
Location: Upper Left USA | Yes, the top pic - neck is a figured or Rock Maple with the Peghead rounded off.
With extreme grain comes the risk of fractures and this one had the classic Van Gogh thing going.
I wouldn't do it on an acoustic though.
The Retro Seafoam resides with Redwood near SF now. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13984
Location: Upper Left USA | Mr. U,
Viper on Ebay
If this had a case I would have pulled the trigger.
You might consider it. I like this Nutmeg tone on the Maple. |
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March 2009
Posts: 21
Location: Mass | Which neck are you going to sell me? |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13984
Location: Upper Left USA | How much money do you have? :rolleyes:
Seriously, if you are ready to part-n-place your viper email me and tell me what you want the end product to look and play like. |
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Joined:
March 2009
Posts: 21
Location: Mass | I like to know the price, rather than ask. I'll hold out.
-Thanks |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13984
Location: Upper Left USA | Viper/Preacher part prices in General (not mine or specific):
Neck $75 - $150
Body $75 - $200
Pups $100 each and up
Bridge $75 - $250
Neck Plate $50
Tuners Set $50 - $75
PG $35 - $90
Knobs $20
If you hunt for nicer quality or finish these prices rise fast.
I have had good result using Artec pups, Schaller Tuners and a variety of Bridges at lower costs. |
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Just bought a Viper body, mistake?
