Custom guitar build happening - To Kahler or not???

[JerEvil]

Ever since getting the now long gone Krank KKerry King proto, I have REALLY wanted a KK ESP V. Well, since they are not made anymore and I will NOT buy the old ESP bolt-on version or import BC Rich versions my eBuddy Paul (Zeegler) and I discussed and he will be building a pair of these guys. One for me and one for him.

He has already started the build. I will post some pics (or he will) as the builds come along. I can say, it's going to be gorgeous! I am still trying to decide on the Kahler or string thru.

The guitars have 5 piece maple/walnut necks, body wings are flame maple with mahogany core. Stringers are different for each guitar. Mine has purple heart/walnut stringers. We haven't totally decided on paint schemes respectively yet. I want a trans top that's going to really let the wood show.

Here is some early progress...



So look at the sides of this guy, the way the maple top and back sit on the darker core. It'll be like that...


It's gonna be AWESOME!!!

So anyway, It is INSPIRED by the ESP Kerry King but I am so far not inclined to use EMG's and if I do, it'd be the 57/60 set. I rarely, if ever use tremolo's now so I am not sure if I want the Kahler or just a string thru body. I actually prefer the feel of the Kahler to a Floyd. The Kahler also has a set screw for locking to hard tail...

Thoughts?

 

[rottingcorpse]

Dude....that looks all sorts of kick ass!!! I loooove glue-ups like this. So many layers of sweet, beautiful woods coming together. Very jealous. Wish I had a cool project going on....

IMO it's better to have something and not use it,than to wish it was there and not have it farther down the line. That said,if you NEVER use a trem just go string thru. I have gotten so used to my palm on a Floyd I find anything else awkward.

Congrats on a beautiful piece of art.

Edit...don't you want to be able to do Kerry king noise solos when you get a little drunk? Get the kahler.

 

[JerEvil]

Dude....that looks all sorts of kick ass!!! I loooove glue-ups like this. So many layers of sweet, beautiful woods coming together. Very jealous. Wish I had a cool project going on....

IMO it's better to have something and not use it,than to wish it was there and not have it farther down the line. That said,if you NEVER use a trem just go string thru. I have gotten so used to my palm on a Floyd I find anything else awkward.

Congrats on a beautiful piece of art.

Edit...don't you want to be able to do Kerry king noise solos when you get a little drunk? Get the kahler.

Thanks man! I have not been this excited about a guitar in a long time! I remember on another forum seeing some really beautiful builds a guy was doing and that the woodwork looked stunning. I knew I reached out about build prices to the guy a few years ago and was out of my league at the time. Fast forward and that thread popped in my head. I remembered there being a Jeff Hanneman avatar for the guy so that narrowed it down to 2 people on the forums I frequent.

Be on the lookout for Zeegler guitars. He makes some beautiful stuff.

I think I am going to do the Kahler. i really want a shred machine and it'll be nice to have the option for my weedly-weedly's!

 

[Anonymous]

I know people seem to hate Kahlers - they absolutely decimate the value of vintage Charvels, for example - however, I like them. You can't get the deep, throaty dives you can with a Floyd, but generally they stay in tune and are great for subtle trem stuff.

I still prefer a Floyd, but I wouldn't pass on a Charvel I otherwise liked just because it had a Kahler...

Looking forward to seeing your build progress!

Steve

 

[JerEvil]

I know people seem to hate Kahlers - they absolutely decimate the value of vintage Charvels, for example - however, I like them. You can't get the deep, throaty dives you can with a Floyd, but generally they stay in tune and are great for subtle trem stuff.

I still prefer a Floyd, but I wouldn't pass on a Charvel I otherwise liked just because it had a Kahler...

Looking forward to seeing your build progress!

Steve

Right on Steve. I had a custom V previously that had a recessed Kahler and dug it. I know they are VERY hit or miss with people. Like I said, I don't do a TON of trem work so the occasional harmonic pull or dive is all I'd use it for. I need to decide soon though as it'll affect the pickup counting and all that.

I have owned and played enough guitars w/Kahlers to know that I like the feel of them for sure. I can not for the life of me figure out why I am struggling so much with this.

 

[sg guy]

-i love these threads-

-i'd do the string through,... like steve mentioned i have no issue with khaler's

-that thing is way too beautiful to paint,.. she's on her knee's begging for 2001 coats of hand rubbed lacquer!!

-(that mocking bird thing on the bottom is a work of art)-

 

[mchn13]

-i love these threads-

-i'd do the string through,... like steve mentioned i have no issue with khaler's

-that thing is way too beautiful to paint,.. she's on her knee's begging for 2001 coats of hand rubbed lacquer!!

-(that mocking bird thing on the bottom is a work of art)-

^^^^^^
All of this

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Wow! That guitar in the bottom pic looks really cool!

I like the feel of my floyds and really like palm mutes on them. However, I also don't use mine, ever actually, and got tired of set ups every time I change strings and recently ordered a string through. More of a pain for me cause I tend to change string gauges frequently. I vote string through if your not planning on dive bombs and squealies.

 

[8len8]

If you go with a Kahler you can always change it later to a kahler hard tail.

 

[GJgo]

I actually prefer my Kahlers to my FR because I can set my action lower since the strings don't move. Plus as mentioned with the Hybrid you can lock it down.

 

[JerEvil]

Anything be have the issue of "supposed" pitch issues after big string bends?

 

[GJgo]

No more than any good tremolo. It needs to be set up correctly, and keep the rollers free-spinning.

I do like PMing on the FR slightly better, but I like the Kahler better overall.

 

[mchn13]

That bottom pic is stellar. I want one of those!

Yeah I can't stop looking at that pic. Those v's are going to be some kind of sick. I'd put as few holes as possible in that wood, stain the top transparent black, and tung oil the hell out of it.

 

[JerEvil]

That bottom pic is stellar. I want one of those!

Yeah I can't stop looking at that pic. Those v's are going to be some kind of sick. I'd put as few holes as possible in that wood, stain the top transparent black, and tung oil the hell out of it.

Yeah this is how I'm leaning actually...

 

[snowdog]

This wood hasn't done anything to you, why bolt a Kahler on it ?

 

[JerEvil]

This wood hasn't done anything to you, why bolt a Kahler on it ?

Lol! Yeah man I just sent the email. String thru, no trem.

 

[JerEvil]

Some more progress! Custom "V" 1st fret inlay

 

[Mailman1971]

For me I just cant do Kahlers. Unless its a Kahler STEELER!
That is one great bridge!
Liked it better then Floyd

 

[JerEvil]

For me I just cant do Kahlers. Unless its a Kahler STEELER!
That is one great bridge!
Liked it better then Floyd

Yeah man I remember those trems. Didn't they come in the original Peavey Vandenberg's?

I finally opted for string thru on this guy.

 

[Mailman1971]

For me I just cant do Kahlers. Unless its a Kahler STEELER!
That is one great bridge!
Liked it better then Floyd

Yeah man I remember those trems. Didn't they come in the original Peavey Vandenberg's?

I finally opted for string thru on this guy.

Had an original Vandy as well. They came with the Kahler "Spyder"
Hated that trem!

Yup.....I would have a stop tail over a Kahler. Just my personal preference.