EMG soundbox with Orchorsol conversion
Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 5:21 pm
Here I am with another post about soundboxes
This fellow came to my position yesterday. On first glance it's a very good early EMG soundbox which is all very nice and exciting indeed. Turn it a little though and the plot thickens; what's that Orchorsol back doing here!?
This got me scratching my head for a fair bit. The front is most definitely early EMG, yet the back is 100% Orchorsol, and is certainly made specifically to fit this faceplate. I couldn't find any other examples or mentions of such a soundbox online, only adding to my puzzlement.
With huge thanks to Graham the mystery was solved. At the same time EMG were offering those soundboxes, Orchorsol were offering to convert any soundbox to their lifebelt system; whatever the soundbox, Orchorsol will do whatever is needed to convert it. Someone clearly decided the Meltrope back on their soundbox didn't cut it and went for Orchorsol's system instead!
With seemingly no other known examples, I might possibly be the custodian of the only known complete example of this EMG/Orchorsol assembly. Now that is exciting !!
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif)
Interestingly, it weighs exactly the same as the equivalent with an original brass back. Is that intentional or by complete coincidence, we may never know. I don't know very much about where it came from either as the vendor hasn't got back to my request for more info.
Obviously I'd love to hear it singing, and hear what (if any) difference the Orchorsol lifebelt system makes. That said, I have decided against doing anything to the Orchorsol part, as replacing the rubber tubing is bound to seriously damage the rock hard original; something I'd rather not do until I see another complete example. Another option for getting the soundbox singing without damaging the back is being explored.
It is truly amazing there is still clearly so much to discover and unearth; you really never know what might be around the corner!
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif)
This fellow came to my position yesterday. On first glance it's a very good early EMG soundbox which is all very nice and exciting indeed. Turn it a little though and the plot thickens; what's that Orchorsol back doing here!?
This got me scratching my head for a fair bit. The front is most definitely early EMG, yet the back is 100% Orchorsol, and is certainly made specifically to fit this faceplate. I couldn't find any other examples or mentions of such a soundbox online, only adding to my puzzlement.
With huge thanks to Graham the mystery was solved. At the same time EMG were offering those soundboxes, Orchorsol were offering to convert any soundbox to their lifebelt system; whatever the soundbox, Orchorsol will do whatever is needed to convert it. Someone clearly decided the Meltrope back on their soundbox didn't cut it and went for Orchorsol's system instead!
With seemingly no other known examples, I might possibly be the custodian of the only known complete example of this EMG/Orchorsol assembly. Now that is exciting !!
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif)
Interestingly, it weighs exactly the same as the equivalent with an original brass back. Is that intentional or by complete coincidence, we may never know. I don't know very much about where it came from either as the vendor hasn't got back to my request for more info.
Obviously I'd love to hear it singing, and hear what (if any) difference the Orchorsol lifebelt system makes. That said, I have decided against doing anything to the Orchorsol part, as replacing the rubber tubing is bound to seriously damage the rock hard original; something I'd rather not do until I see another complete example. Another option for getting the soundbox singing without damaging the back is being explored.
It is truly amazing there is still clearly so much to discover and unearth; you really never know what might be around the corner!