This guitar came to us as a brand spanking new Tokai FB-65 Traditional Series Firebird in Sunburst.
It was selected as a candidate for the Leadbetter Guitar Co “Rabid Dog Relic” treatment by owner Colin Leadbetter.
The Process
We hand sanded as much of the original poly finish off as possible, added some mildly heavy handed wear and tear and refinished it in Shell Pink. We then added some more relic treatment to slow the old sunburst finish to bleed through.
We upgraded the stock mini humbuckers to what we believe is one of the best mini’s on the market. The Damarzio PG-13 Paul Gilbert Signature mini Humbuckers. They have an incredible balance of clarity, chime, and fullness, and are never harsh.
We minimised the electronics down to master volume, tone and pickup selector, to simplify the signal path and maximise the tone. As with all of our relics, we upgraded the Pots and Jack sockets to US made Switchcraft/Dimarzio parts.
heavy gauge cloth braided wire was used through out. Orange Drop capacitor used in the tone circuit.
All other hardware has been hand relic’d.
Precision setup with Ernie Ball Regular Slinky’s by Joel in the Nepean Music Workshop.
This release of “Rabid Dog Relics” for June 2022 is unique in that there is only one of each guitar.
Available from Friday 2nd June.
On display at Nepean Music Mornington now.
Shipping within Australia is $59.
