Mortarmans new Project Westone

Well I finally scored that long awaited Monarch I have been searching long and hard for. It is the Pearl White model and has the original case and all hardware is original. the project part is the previous owner somewhere in it's  life decided to do a transformation on the tonal setup etc. Thank goodness they left all the original pots in place and only made a birds nest out of the reconfigured wires. The fun as began and today I took the guitar down to inspect and clean it as well as verify the pickups and pots were still all in working order and clean them as they had been played and put up dirty and stored for a long period. The trem is original but the insert has issues that will need to be fixed. The overall body is in great shape with a slight yellow to the finish that gives it some character and the frets will need a good cleaning and overall TLC. I have the wire diagrams and also an original Dynasty and several others to reference so no problems there. I will be posting some photos of the progress from start to finish so keep an eye out for the photos and I will try to keep them updated as I go. Wish me luck and I think it will be a nice one when done. Now all I need is the Red version to go with this one.....egas never stops it seems.

Oh nice!  They are so unique.  Congrats Arthur!    

Need pics or we don't believe you.

Well phase 1 is in progress. The Pots are out and I have been able to clean most of the disastrous solder job off all the connectors and wires as well as cleaning the trem, pickups, fret board etc. The tremolo issue has been fixed and now to address the body dings etc then begin the re wire process. All the pickups checked out good on the test meter as well as the original pots. I will need to replace the tone caps as they are old and need replacement so thank goodness for Radio Shack. More photos as the work progresses. Enjoy and wish me luck.

Cleaned up Pots


Bridge pup

Neck pup

Single Coil pup

Codes?

After the clean up you can guess how bad it was as you can see the burns from the previous solder attempts of the last owner,

Rusted tuners and headstock


Parts sitting in place at least they are all original.


Work continues so wish me luck.

Cool!! Not too many of those about, Arthur and that looks to be well recoverable; go, you!!

Oh yeah, love to see those disassembled pics.  That's a lot of the fun.  

Solder hack jobs are all too common.  Learning to solder is one of the most beneficial things I've done in my guitar journey.  Let us know what parts you need.  You know I'll help if I can.

Looks like she's in good hands now Arthur!

What sort of Lugan tries to solder wood anyway?! Takes a special brand of dumb ass methinks.

Barry... LOL!

Looks like they used a blowtorch.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Butane-Gas-Soldering-Iron-Torch-Electronic-Ignition-4-Tips-NEW-ADJUSTABLE-/380845372519?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item58ac273467

That pic in that that pic of the control cavity deserves special handling. Perhaps we should start a , "Hall of Wonders."

I have a butane soldering iron... would never leave marks like that. I agree with Westbone. It's been torched. Yikes!

Butane soldering iron is my first choice for guitar work, they are really useful - in the right hands eh?

The thought of putting a gas torch onto electronics makes me shudder... probably because I have no experience of them!

I've got a variable 15-45W on the bench permanently, and an 85W for doing the earths on the backs of pots hanging on the wall; what advantage is there in the little torch over the electric irons?

The Monarks really are a step onto the wild side, eh; I like 'em but I'm betting they're not everyones cup o' tea!

Not a gas torch onto the electronics but a soldering iron blade heated by a gas flame. The advantage is theres no wires, very portable and great for getting into guitar cavities.
Heres an example

Well I just learned something new.