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Cort vintage Flying V with preamp


r_clockberg

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Hi All, 

My first post here so greetings from Ft. Lauderdale!

I recently acquired an 80s era Cort Flying V. The guitar itself is in great shape, paint has a few cracks but I plan on trying to repair that with naphtha. The biggest concern is that the pickups and electronics are replaced, which is a shame. I believe this had Powersound pickups and active circuitry, however info on this is like a super light top E string in a haystack! The pickup rings _may_ have been changed, some pictures I saw online show cream colored rings but this one had gold which actually looks cool because it matches the bridge. I plan on restoring the electronics, any leads on schematics or where I can find parts would be much appreciated! Picture for reference (next to my UV777) :D

Cheers!

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4 hours ago, DeepEnd said:

Congratulations and Happy New Guitar Day. :thu: FWIW, it looks like the previous owner might have strung it left handed based on the way the saddles are arranged. You'll want to get it properly intonated and maybe a complete setup.

Points for keen observations. If previous owner made it a lefty, you'll need to get a new nut.

I'd get it set up and all, but then play it just as it is regarding electronics. Who knows? maybe you'll like it

May be a bit of a stretch, but I would hazard that previous owner changed pickups because he/she wasn't happy with stock pickups. But been here long enough to know some people like to change things just for the sake of change...

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Thanks guys! 

8 hours ago, mrbrown49 said:

Congrats!

 

Fwiw, naptha won't fix cracks in the finish.

So if not naphtha, then what? I thought I'd use a Q-tip and try and dilute some of the paint around the cracks. Attaching some pics to show the gnarlyness. Being a 1984(?) set neck guitar, I think such cracks are to be expected so I'm not TOO anal about repairing them, but pointers are appreciated!

5 hours ago, DeepEnd said:

Congratulations and Happy New Guitar Day. :thu: FWIW, it looks like the previous owner might have strung it left handed based on the way the saddles are arranged. You'll want to get it properly intonated and maybe a complete setup.

I agree, I thought it didn't look right either. Going to do the setup from scratch, the scale length is 25.5" but given the age I'm thinking of putting in Classic Extra Slinkys.. Thoughts? 

39 minutes ago, Emory said:

Points for keen observations. If previous owner made it a lefty, you'll need to get a new nut.

I'd get it set up and all, but then play it just as it is regarding electronics. Who knows? maybe you'll like it

May be a bit of a stretch, but I would hazard that previous owner changed pickups because he/she wasn't happy with stock pickups. But been here long enough to know some people like to change things just for the sake of change...

I know, but I want to get it as close to it's original glory, or better! Like for instance, I'd put in gold strap buttons, and gold switches to match the bridge, and cream pickup covers like the original. Pickups are my least concern right now but as long as they're zebra and vintage output I think the Artec VTB-1 would do the job of an onboard boost, and I'm currently looking at low battery voltage indicator circuits (there was an LED in the second mini toggle's place which did just that). It should be pretty straightforward with a few components and heatshrink tubing, or otherwise if I decide to get fancy I might go with the PMT LoBat battery indicator which does exactly that. 

Tomorrow, I gut everything and then begin fretboard conditioning. While the lem-oil does it's job I'm going to Brasso the crap out of every piece of hardware. :) 

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Edited by r_clockberg
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11 hours ago, r_clockberg said:

Thanks guys! 

So if not naphtha, then what? I thought I'd use a Q-tip and try and dilute some of the paint around the cracks. Attaching some pics to show the gnarlyness. Being a 1984(?) set neck guitar, I think such cracks are to be expected so I'm not TOO anal about repairing them, but pointers are appreciated!

 

That finish looks like a polyester or polyurethane finish.  No solvent, including naphtha, will get that stuff to reflow and close cracks.  If it was nitro you'd have a prayer of fixing cracks and gaps because it reflows easily with sovent, or application of more finish. But, that doesn't look like nitro. 

I wouldn't worry about it anyway.  It looks to be in great shape other wise. 

If you can't find original electronics one of these may do.

https://www.guitarfetish.com/Active-Preamps_c_51.html

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On 9/24/2020 at 12:22 AM, r_clockberg said:

the scale length is 25.5" but given the age I'm thinking of putting in Classic Extra Slinkys.. Thoughts? 

08-38 is pretty light. Unless it's in bad shape structurally I wouldn't worry too much. FWIW, I use Skinny Top Heavy Bottoms 10-52 with a 25.5" scale, but then I'm a ham fisted acoustic player and don't do bends. ;) I think something like Super Slinky 09-42 or even something slightly heavier should be fine depending on your playing style.

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20 hours ago, DeepEnd said:

08-38 is pretty light. Unless it's in bad shape structurally I wouldn't worry too much. FWIW, I use Skinny Top Heavy Bottoms 10-52 with a 25.5" scale, but then I'm a ham fisted acoustic player and don't do bends. ;) I think something like Super Slinky 09-42 or even something slightly heavier should be fine depending on your playing style.

Yeah, I don't know yet if the truss rod works expected so starting out with a light gauge. For standard tuning I usually play on heavier gauges too :) 

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Well, it's been gutted, truss rod cover and inlays polished. What a difference, just using steel wool and Brasso! The brass nut luckily is not at all damaged by potential "Leftying" by previous owner(s). 

Next step: Non-conductive paint, and replacing the hardware keeping it as close to original as possible. 

 

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On 11/20/2021 at 12:23 PM, hippityhoppity said:

do you still have the cort?  did you finish the rehab?  i was interested in asking you some questions - i have a blue barn find cort flying v.

 

On 12/29/2023 at 12:56 PM, Alan Morris said:

r_clockberg I also have one of these which I have re furbished apart from the pre amp which was missing, did you have any luck finding one

Regards

Alan

UK.

Unfortunately, r_clockberg has not been here in over 2 years. So we may never know how this turned out.

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