Picked up a ?? [Fernandes] ...trying to figure it out.

[Crashnrobin]

Trying to figure out if this is real or a knock-off of some sort? Has some sort of ground issue. Any help is sincerely appreciated. It was in a closed out shop with a bunch of Korean-era electrics. Thanks in advance, Jim

[neyman]

Looks like a Fernandes FAG 170 to me

[gtrguy]

Shore Nuff! Interesting guitar. How does it sound?

[Crashnrobin]

Thanks for the input. I really appreciate it. A Fernandes copy makes total sense, as all the guts appear to be Japanese. I don't remember this Fernandes copy at all...lol. It feels like it would be a great player with it's weight and nice neck. But it has a TON of hum and pickup output is week. Some of the switch positions don't work. It appears that a lot of people take the guts out and replace with more standard pickups and electronics. 



https://yamauchi63133.wixsite.com/hikidaore/fag170-e

[lbpesq]

Hi Jim, and welcome to the club.  I agree that it’s a Fernandes.   Nice score!   A couple of things: 

The bridge saddles (not the bridge) appear to be installed in reverse.   

Also, the pickups are mounted incorrectly.   Of the four mounting screws on each pickup, two should be UNDERNEATH the pickup.  You should remove all four screws, then pull the pickup out of the cavity.  With the pickup out, replace two screws, catacorner to each other and screw them down a bit.   Then, place the pickup ON TOP of the two screws.   Next put the two remaining screws through the other two catacorner holes of the pickup.   You adjust the two screws whose heads are below the pickup to the desired height, then tighten the two screws whose heads are above the pickup to lock it down.  So, when properly mounted, you should only see two screws on each pickup, mounted catacorner to each other, and two catacorner holes on each pickup.

Congrats on the new guitar.

Bill, the guitar one

[Crashnrobin]

Thanks, Bill. That makes some sense with the pickup screws, as they were all thru the top and the pickups were WAY below the strings. A friend also told me to try a stereo cable, as this may also be a source of the hum. We shall see!

[JimmyJ]

Wow.  So weird to see a low-end attempted copy of an Alembic.  Makes you appreciate the fine details of the real deal!

How on Earth were the bridge saddles put on backwards?  Since the threads are only on one side of each saddle, you need to disassemble the whole bridge, turn the entire thing around, put the saddles in the correct order, then insert the screws from the bottom side (same direction they are in now) so you have access to them for adjusting.  But you'll still need to cut new slots because the spacing of the lower strings will be wrong.  Wow, that's an amazing assembly error.

See how it plays with no amp, check for dead spots up and down the neck, see how it feels and sustains.   If you like it then for the electronics side you could go many ways, from super simple to full-on Alembic kit.  Not sure I'd trust any of the original components to work reliably.  You gotta figure they cut corners on every single piece from the pots and switches to no pickup connectors at all - just soldered right in...

Good project axe!

Jimmy J

[hieronymous]

Here's a catalog pic:



Got this pic from a cool site with old Japanese catalogs.

[mario_farufyno]

Ground issue or bad adjusted hum cancelling dummy PU? You may look for directions on how setup hum cancelling system at Must Read section.

[gtrguy]

Here is a pic from my files of another one showing the electronics. Hey, if you want to sell it, I am looking for another project!

[gtrguy]

Well it showed up on my front porch today!
Thanks to Jim for selling it to me! It will make a great project as I delve into the electronics and get it all sorted out!

[lbpesq]

Congrats, David!  Looking forward to following the project.

Bill, tgo

[gtrguy]

Well, it takes the same amount of time to clean one...

[paulman]

Really nice work!  Will you attempt to set the bridge saddles (not the bridge) the correct way?

[pauldo]

Friends of Fernandes probably know better than me but...
The original photos do look like the saddles are backwards. 
The clean shiny photo makes it look like that IS their intended design.??.