Possible 'Monkey' SG replica??

[Nathan]

Hey everyone,
I was thinking as a bit of a fun idea to purchase a Gibson 60's tribute SG and doing some modifications to make it look like Tony's famous monkey SG. Basically from -
This:
http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Elec...ute/Specs.aspx
To looking like this:
http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...7f4024ca92.jpg

I was only thinking about buying a wraparound bridge and a monkey sticker off eBay to make it look a bit more genuine. I don't want to go into all the fine details or replace pickups. What do you guys think of the idea? Any suggestions on which bridge to buy??
Thanks everyone!!

[Ochlocracy]

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,...nd_Bridge.html
This is pretty much the same bridge on the monkey. You should also get some chrome covers and black mounting rings for the P90s. And since the finish on the Guitar is "faded" you need to polish it to make it glossy.

[Nathan]

Thanks for the tip!
Any suggestions on where I could find some chrome P-90 covers??
*edit* Any suggestions on where I could find mounting rings for P-90's?

The covers were easy to find, but by the looks of it I'll have to buy a full face scratchplate and get it cut to fit the P-90 covers

[Ochlocracy]

You wont need a new scratch plate if you buy soapbar covers, you just need to cut out a couple pieces to accommodate for the rings. I have no idea where to buy the rings, so maybe you can cut them out of plastic? Also, the rings wont actually do anything because the P90s in the Gibson can't be mounted into rings.

[gl797]

hehehe

[Ochlocracy]

That has the wrong pickups though.

[gl797]

That has the wrong pickups though.

I think he's holding a limited run Gibson. I don't know why they used those kind of pickups though. maybe 'cause many people prefer humbuckers. I personally do not. check out this guys tone, probably the most accurate that i've seen to the early Iommi sound.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxWEczjxtN4

in more recent vids he switched to a period correct Laney amp and it's even better.

[MH1986]

http://www.freewebs.com/stmoritzguit...dtonyiommi.htm

Check this link out for info on that guitar. I'm pretty sure its SGlou, he's posted here before.

[Nathan]

You wont need a new scratch plate if you buy soapbar covers, you just need to cut out a couple pieces to accommodate for the rings. I have no idea where to buy the rings, so maybe you can cut them out of plastic? Also, the rings wont actually do anything because the P90s in the Gibson can't be mounted into rings.

I would need a new scratchplate if I bought P-90 mounting rings. Besides Tony's SG has a 3-layer pickguard and the pickguard on the 60's tribute is just the one layer, gotta get it looking authentic!!

[Nathan]

The project is a go! I've ordered the guitar and hard shell case, only problem is that I won't be able to get it until at least September but I guess that's the downside of getting your dad to get it from the US...
Anyway here is a pic of what I'm planning of doing to it:


If your wondering what the two rythm/treble rings are for, they are going under the tailpiece. For some reason Tony's Monkey had two rings under it.
If you wanna see a better pic of the Monkey go here: http://memorabilia.hardrock.com/?item=023632 and search "Iommi", it comes up with all the stuff that belonged to Tony Iommi at Hard Rock Café's! Pretty cool
Enjoy!

[gl797]

That's gonna be quite awesome nathan.
btw that link to the monkey is great, it let's you zoom in and see tiny scratches and dust. thanks

You got a cool dad.

[Nathan]

That's gonna be quite awesome nathan.
btw that link to the monkey is great, it let's you zoom in and see tiny scratches and dust. thanks

You got a cool dad.

haha, I don't get much of my musical tastes from my dad, I beleive that my step-dad will be helping me quite a bit with this project though

[Ochlocracy]

haha, I don't get much of my musical tastes from my dad, I beleive that my step-dad will be helping me quite a bit with this project though

Hehe, me and my dad have the same music taste. We keep getting each other into new bands.

[Pink Led Rush]

Hehe, me and my dad have the same music taste. We keep getting each other into new bands.

Agreed, except he likes some stuff I don't like country. lol

[Nathan]

Me and my step dad are actually making a pedalboard at the moment, it's cool to have someone who takes interest in the stuff you like
I'll upload the pics of the board-building process when it's done

[IRON-MaN]

The project is a go! I've ordered the guitar and hard shell case, only problem is that I won't be able to get it until at least September but I guess that's the downside of getting your dad to get it from the US...
Anyway here is a pic of what I'm planning of doing to it:


If your wondering what the two rythm/treble rings are for, they are going under the tailpiece. For some reason Tony's Monkey had two rings under it.
If you wanna see a better pic of the Monkey go here: http://memorabilia.hardrock.com/?item=023632 and search "Iommi", it comes up with all the stuff that belonged to Tony Iommi at Hard Rock Café's! Pretty cool
Enjoy!

Good luck with that , but don't forget to chance the Gibson tuners with Schaller tuners as well , they're the one used on Iommi's Gibson Monkey.

[Nathan]

Yes I noticed the different tuners, but I dare say that will be the last thing I replace as they are the most expensive part!

[Pink Led Rush]

Have you figured how much this will set you back yet? Are you gonna throw some distressing on the guitar too? I think I would, just to give it that look of patina.

[Nathan]

Living in Australia it's going to cost me more for postage, but I have estimated it will cost at least $200. That's buying from mostly American stores online.
I was thinking about doing something like lacquering it, but distressing it sounds good! How would I go about doing this??

Also, my dad's picking this up for me this weekend!!
problem is though I won't have it until I see him next time, dang

[Ochlocracy]

What covers are you buying?

[Nathan]

What covers are you buying?

If you're talking about pickup covers, than these:
http://www.greasygroove.com/proddeta...23-PU-P-C-P-MI

[Ochlocracy]

Yeah, I meant the pup covers. I'm also looking for some metal covers for a SG I might buy (Classic of Faded Classic).

[Pink Led Rush]

I meant guitar and all.

For distressing you could you very light sanding on it in areas where it would show use. And try to dull the finish a bit.

[Nathan]

I meant guitar and all.

For distressing you could you very light sanding on it in areas where it would show use. And try to dull the finish a bit.

How would I go about dulling it???

Yeah, I meant the pup covers. I'm also looking for some metal covers for a SG I might buy (Classic of Faded Classic).

I've only come across plastic, chrome-plated pickup covers unfortunately
Let me know if you find some, and I'll look as well

[Pink Led Rush]

How would I go about dulling it???

I've only come across plastic, chrome-plated pickup covers unfortunately
Let me know if you find some, and I'll look as well

Idk, all I've ever done is some sanding and gouging on my Strat to make it look like it's older. But I tried to keep it to a minimum and didn't mess with the finish or anything. Maybe someone who's done more in depth "relic" style guitars will pipe in.

[Nathan]

Yeah I don't really want to take sandpaper to a new guitar, I'm not brave enough!
The only problem with the SG I'm buying is that it has the 'Faded' finish, whereas Tony's (I'm pretty sure) is the 'standard' finish, i.e lacquered etc.
Does anyone here know how to make a faded look like Tony's Monkey???

[Pink Led Rush]

Yeah I don't really want to take sandpaper to a new guitar, I'm not brave enough!
The only problem with the SG I'm buying is that it has the 'Faded' finish, whereas Tony's (I'm pretty sure) is the 'standard' finish, i.e lacquered etc.
Does anyone here know how to make a faded look like Tony's Monkey???

I know exactly what you mean, I couldnt bear to do a whole lot to my Strat. If it's faded it may already look quite a bit like the Monkey. Since it is older and has probably faded a bit.

[Ochlocracy]

You could look for some wood polish to buff it to gloss.

[Nathan]

You could look for some wood polish to buff it to gloss.

I have heard of this stuff :
http://www.virtuosopolish.com/
It looks like it does a hell of a job, but I'm not sure if it will be effective on guitars without the standard shiny finish, like the 60's Tribute
Edit: Here's a pic of my actual guitar!

[Ochlocracy]

Make sure that hanger wont ruin the finish around the headstock (Some stands can react with nitrocellulose finishes).

[Pink Led Rush]

Yeah, i was at a GC yesterday, and finally saw one of these. They look amazing, and the price isn't bad at all. Interested how this project turns out, may make me want to go out and get one

[Tola]

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,...nd_Bridge.html
This is pretty much the same bridge on the monkey.

But that bridge doesn't fit to the TOM bridge's holes, does it? I mean the stud spacing and threads are different compared to TOM. So you need to drill new holes if you want to change the TOM bridge to wraparound. Correct me if I'm wrong

[Ochlocracy]

Yes, that's true, but Iommi did that too. That's why he put those black rings under the bridge.

[Cyberbeast]

http://www.freewebs.com/stmoritzguit...dtonyiommi.htm

Check this link out for info on that guitar. I'm pretty sure its SGlou, he's posted here before.

Yup, Lou built an exact replica of the Monkey SG and actually presented it to Tony. Check the link above

[sterling#sound]

If you're interested, I can get you the Monkey decal. I've made my own Monkey replica almost 3 years ago now and it gets a lot of positive comments. I have recreated the monkey decal from the photos of the guitar at Hard Rock Cafe. I sell them for 50 USD each including shipping. PM me if you want.