RobK
I got myself a nice looking Yamaha Pacifica 212 which I decided to change the pickups on. I go a set of Toneriders and did the installation, no problem.
Now, even before my "work" on it, the whole wiring setup looked a bit like the dog's breakfats, and it hasn't improved much. I suppose I'm funny that way, but it bothers me a bit. Not to the point of losing sleep or anything, but I'd like to try neaten it all up. ?
My thinking is that, since I'll be pulling everything out anyway, it might be a good idea to replace all the other components as well - the volume and tone pots and the switch as well as the wires. That way , I'll know what's in there and it will most likely be of better quality than the stuff it came with.
So, with that in mind, apart from just pulling everything else and replacing, is there anything I need to consider. I've read Alan's articles on pots and seems I need to use 500K pots (guitar has 2 SC and 1 HB pickup). Any particular brand I should look at? Is there a minimum/maximum gauge of wire I can use? Where's a good place to get the components I need?
Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks peeps.
jeremy-Budgen
Rob
What you will need is shielded wire, i use pots from rs components in Johannesburg, but i`m sure there are different places you can get them from, try your local music shop they should carry pots there as well.
Also it is a good idea to shield the control cavity with shielding tape, the copper one and earth this shielding to the top of the pots.
hope this helps
RobK
jeremy Budgen wrote
Rob
What you will need is shielded wire, i use pots from rs components in Johannesburg, but i`m sure there are different places you can get them from, try your local music shop they should carry pots there as well.
Also it is a good idea to shield the control cavity with shielding tape, the copper one and earth this shielding to the top of the pots.
hope this helps
Yup, every bit helps, thanks.
AlanRatcliffe
I recommend the following for a "fit and forget" install:
CTS Pots (DiMarzio branded or RS Guitarworks SuperPots). You might have to ream out your knobs to fit if they are the metric ones (6mm) or replace with US knobs as CTS are Imperial 1/4" (6.35mm).
CRL or Oak Grigsby 5-way lever switch.
Orange drop caps
Cloth covered 22AWG stranded copper wire.
Switchcraft 1/4" jack socket.
RobK
Alan Ratcliffe wrote
I recommend the following for a "fit and forget" install:
CTS Pots (DiMarzio branded or RS Guitarworks SuperPots). You might have to ream out your knobs to fit if they are the metric ones (6mm) or replace with US knobs as CTS are Imperial 1/4" (6.35mm).
CRL or Oak Grigsby 5-way lever switch.
Orange drop caps
Cloth covered 22AWG stranded copper wire.
Switchcraft 1/4" jack socket.
All that stuff available locally (in SA, online or not)? Otherwise, where's a good place to order from?
Thanks
AlanRatcliffe
RobK
costafonix
jeremy Budgen wrote
Rob
Also it is a good idea to shield the control cavity with shielding tape, the copper one and earth this shielding to the top of the pots.
Rob, is there a local distributor of the shielding copper tape or do you order from Stewmac?
AlanRatcliffe
I get the copper tape from Stewmac, and I also get copper sheets which are nice for pickguards from Guitar Nucleus.
costafonix
Thanks Alan, will check out Guitar Nucleus ?
RobK
Checked it out and ended up with about US$60 worth of goods. Shipping is US$120-odd ? so that's not an option for me.
I know what I need, though, so I'll shop around on sites mentioned.
Cheapest shipping option is about US$40 - still not low enough.
RobK
Checked out Guitar Nucleus and they had everything I needed at a better shipping cost (US$8).
I have another question. I took out the electronics on the guitar and one of the pots is a push/pull for the coil split on the humbucker. It's a 250k, though. Should I still replace it with a 500K or should I get a 250K?
Wizard
I got this kit:
http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/Wiring-Kit-Fender-Stratocaster-Modern-5-Way-P1167C153.aspx
Definitely no regrets - it is seriously decent stuff.
In order to get the shipping reasonable you need to convince yourself to buy other stuff too ?
(like a little Callaham bridge)
... or share an order with someone else ...
RobK
I looked at that, but out of stock. So I based my list on that. Got what I needed from Guitar Nucleus, including the shielding tape and shipping was cheaper. Delivery will take 2-3 weeks, I think.
Wizard
That tinned, cloth covered push back wire is just so cool ...
RobK
I thought I'd do some googling to see if I can find the CTS pots somewhere closer to home, just for interest and I found this
http://www.wantitall.co.za/Instruments-Music/500K-Audio-Taper-Pot-CTS-Solid-Shaft__B001AN679E
R 565 for a US$5 pot ? ? - If that's not greed, then I don't know what is.
Tonedef
What's wrong with good general-purpose electronics (i.e "non-audio") pots?
That's the thing about being an anorak - we get taken for a ride with everything. It's the same with bikes, model aircraft, warhammer figurines, etc etc.
AlanRatcliffe
Get the DiMarzio pots from Marshall Music. They are made to DiMarzio's spec by CTS and are the next best thing to the SuperPots IMO: tight tolerance, decent feel, brass shaft and a nice taper (designed specifically for guitar).
RobK
I have already ordered from overseas, but not the Superpots or anything. I will see if Marshall Music here has any in stock. No harm in having spares, just in case I makea mess of something. ?
RobK
Another question.
To properly shield the cavities, I need to put shielding tape all around as well as on the pickguard, and make sure all of the tape is in contact, right?
So once that is done, instead of soldering all the grounds to a pot, can I do connect it to the shielding - by soldering all the ground wires onto a washer, then screwing down the washer onto the shielding and into the body using a small wood screw?
