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Private member DiscussionElectric Repair

Very strange pickups problem

I'll start by saying I don't post much because it's confusing to know if I should post on this site or the Patreon site, both are hard to navigate, etc. Also, I sent this question to the last "elder" meeting but I have no idea what the outcome was (I thought there would be some answers documented for those that can't attend live). So, with those frustrations out of the way... I have in my backlog a 1988 PRS Studio. It has HSS pickup c…

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Hey Jason There seems to be a lot going on all at once. I talked about first impressions on the council of elders discussion but David Collins had a great idea. My first thought on the tone control ac…
Private member DiscussionGeneral

Searching for some parts

I have two guitars I am working on that are missing a few parts and wanted to see if anyone has them that they would like to sell. I have a customer with an early 50's L5 that he got when he was 10 years old. He wants to reinstall the dearmond rhythm chief but is missing the long beam that connects the controls to the pickup and the small bracket affixes between the string run between the tail piece/bridge. Second, I have a 1978 telecaste…

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Private member DiscussionElectric Repair

Thoughts on tone control pots

Howdy gang! I was recently trying to find something in my shop and came across a box of 500k linear taper pots. I always use audio taper for volume, but what do you guys and gals think of audio versus linear taper for tone control? I've seen both used, but it's been a bit since I wired a guitar from scratch and can't remember which I prefer. Thoughts?

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Private member DiscussionGeneral

Luminlay alternative?

So, nothing against Luminlay which is an amazing component, with a top notch quality level, but they're quite expensive for what they are. I was messing with ideas and formulas over the past couple weeks, and I think I reached a nice level of quality. On the left my own 'luminlay', on the right the genuine one. Still need to manage how to control the bubble formation but I can finally see the finish line.

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Hey there buddy. Powder is a common luminescent one you can buy on Amazon. BUT, you must be sure to not buy the average (cheap) one, which is Zinc Sulphate, but to find one made of Stronzium Aluminate.…
Private member DiscussionElectric Repair

pickup wiring?

I've built some acoustic guitars and I want to get into some electric builds. On that note, I have a highly regarded player around here asking if I could wire an existing solid body to his liking. He is providing two 500K pots, two P90 pickups and a 3 position switch. He wants two volume controls, no tone control. He's quite an accomplished player and I don't know enough to question him. I got a Seymour Duncan diagram from their si…

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Thanks Ethan
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

neck removal - steam or heat?

I've done a few neck resets lately, (new territory for me) using the StewMac Heat Stick. It does a fine job releasing the glue, my problem is filling the hole in the 15th fret slot so that it isn't noticeable. I did a lighter colored rosewood board lately that certainly could have been better. I'm thinking of trying the needle/ steam method instead but haven't found a controllable source for steam. I would appreciate any advice with…

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These from Hotwire Foam Factory work great, and the small holes are usually hidden by the fret wire. The cheaper ones require a slightly larger hole, and run hotter, so scorching is a concern. They…
Private member DiscussionAmps, Pickups, and Pedals

Grease Bucket Circuit Woes

I've done the Fender Grease Bucket Circuit mod on a lot of Strats and it always works. A customer recently brought in a 335 kit for wiring. It got 3-TV Jones humbuckers, each wired to a Seymour Duncan Triple Shot Mounting Ring, 3 separate volume controls and a master tone with the Grease Bucket circuit. My client wanted to see a clear diagram of the wiring, so I got GuitarElectronics.com to generate one. I've used them several times in…

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One other thing (although you've probably already taken care of it): Those caps and resistor can present a lot of exposed hook-up wires. Make sure everything around there is well insulated so that not…
Private member DiscussionElectric Repair

Curious Grounding Issue...

Hello fellow Looths, I had a question in regards to a curious issue from a customers guitar. The guitar was brought to me in part because the customer was having an issue where the guitar was intermittent and would ground out. It's a partscaster with an HH pickup configuration, one volume, one tone, 5 way switch, and the tone control splits the humbuckers. The pickups are quick connect Dimarzio's. I took the pickguard off and noticed tha…

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if it is the jack blade making contact with the shielding inside the jack hole, then you could try a puretone jack. It's got a smaller footprint and two smaller blades that contact the tip rather than…
Private member DiscussionElectric Repair

Rickenbacker 620

I have a Rickenbacker 620 on my bench; I have repaired the neck pickup (it came loose, uninstalled) and I am stumped with where the wire should dip into the control cavity. There is no hole in the route for the magnets, I assume it runs under the floating pickguard, but I dont see any relief or path under the main control panel. This has the toaster style pickups and dates to the 50's. Thanks in advance.

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Private member DiscussionElectric Repair

Reverend Club King 290 Bass Contour Control

Hey, gang. I was wondering if any of you were familiar with this guitar’s bass contour control. I’ve yet to find accurate schematics. I bought it around 2009. Any help would be appreciated.

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I am familiar with it. It's not exactly their idea. G&L has used this in their circuits, so you might have some luck looking at G&L wiring diagrams. A master bass cut tone control is typically a 1M re…