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Sheraton upgrade time


rcv0101

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Hello all, happy Christmas,

I could do with a little advice about the ground wire on my Sheraton, now that I've decided to do a little overdue renovation and improvement work.

 

A little background: bought new in 1996 or thereabouts, but I've never changed anything other than strings since then. It's suffered years of my exceedingly heavy treatment without once letting me down, and with truly minimal attention. As long as there was noise coming out, it was fine as far as I was concerned. But I decided a couple of weeks back that it was high time, given my familiarity with the guitar and fondness for it, that I started making all the upgrades and minor repairs I'd considered too costly or difficult in the past - adding a Bigsby, changing the pickups, replacing the dented and jagged frets, maybe even refinishing it. I've very recently added changing pots and switches to the list too.

 

I read all the warnings about dealing with the electrics, about how awkward it is and so on, so I wasn't totally unprepared for problems. I thought it was going fine until the final lumps of the entrails wouldn't come out of the f-hole. Long story short: I cut through the ground wire, which is now essentially unreachable. I figured replacing that represented the path of least resistance.

 

I read somewhere that I can use the Bigsby (which is now on) to make the ground instead, by drilling a hole near the tail strap holder and feeding a wire into the body from there. Then clamp the end near the tail underneath the Bisgby plate, with a coil of exposed wire to give a good ground. This sounds like a very solid plan to me - makes sense, pretty simple to execute - but I'd really appreciate a second opinion before I do it. Good plan, or is there a better option?

 

Thanks for your time

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I have done a few mods on my Sheraton and Dot. My avatar is of my Dot. In my experience, the ground wire has always been attached to the bridge bushings. They pull out fairly easy. IIRC, I used a piece of wood dowel, cut shorter that the top of the bushing. Put it in the bushing, then screw in the screw. When the screw hits the dowel the bushing will start to come out. Continue until you can pull the bushing out.

 

Here is a method I have never used, but look like a good idea.

 

I put new pups in mine. I replaced the switch, jack, pots and wire in mine when I changed out the pups. I was able to use standard sized pots for mine, but mine is newer than yours. I think the older ones have had smaller f holes. Others here have used smaller pots when swapping them out. I will say one thing, regarless of which pots you use, it takes a lot of patience when swapping out parts. If you do, don't get the regular sized 1/4" jack, it is too small. I know from experience. Get the longer one. I would recommend Switchcraft for jacks and switch.

 

Also, check out your wiring and make sure the pups work before inserting all of the wiring. I learned this the hard way.

 

Search YouTube and you will find lots of videos on how to change pups in a semi-hollow body.

 

Good luck.

 

Here is my modded Sheraton. I put a B70 on mine.

 

Sherry.jpg

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I have done a few mods on my Sheraton and Dot. My avatar is of my Dot. In my experience, the ground wire has always been attached to the bridge bushings. They pull out fairly easy. IIRC, I used a piece of wood dowel, cut shorter that the top of the bushing. Put it in the bushing, then screw in the screw. When the screw hits the dowel the bushing will start to come out. Continue until you can pull the bushing out.

 

Here is a method I have never used, but look like a good idea.

 

 

Thanks for all the advice - how to pull out the bridge bushings was a question I had in mind too, something I should have a closer look at. Maybe I should pull them out and fill in the holes though? Not sure about that yet.

 

 

I put new pups in mine. I replaced the switch, jack, pots and wire in mine when I changed out the pups. I was able to use standard sized pots for mine, but mine is newer than yours. I think the older ones have had smaller f holes. Others here have used smaller pots when swapping them out. I will say one thing, regarless of which pots you use, it takes a lot of patience when swapping out parts. If you do, don't get the regular sized 1/4" jack, it is too small. I know from experience. Get the longer one. I would recommend Switchcraft for jacks and switch.

 

 

I think I'll be taking the electrics one step at a time, beginning with the pickups. Put it all back it, have a good listen. Should teach me a lot. Once I've done that I'll go back and do the rest of the electrics later, so I can get a look at how that affects things.

 

Appreciate the tips on the parts, I will make a note of all of it. I guess I can file down the f-holes a bit if necessary. It's seen worse.

 

Also, check out your wiring and make sure the pups work before inserting all of the wiring. I learned this the hard way.

 

You almost certainly just saved me from myself!

 

 

Search YouTube and you will find lots of videos on how to change pups in a semi-hollow body.

 

Good luck.

 

I will have a look - thanks again!

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I have done a few mods on my Sheraton and Dot. My avatar is of my Dot. In my experience, the ground wire has always been attached to the bridge bushings. They pull out fairly easy. IIRC, I used a piece of wood dowel, cut shorter that the top of the bushing. Put it in the bushing, then screw in the screw. When the screw hits the dowel the bushing will start to come out. Continue until you can pull the bushing out.

 

Here is a method I have never used, but look like a good idea.

 

I put new pups in mine. I replaced the switch, jack, pots and wire in mine when I changed out the pups. I was able to use standard sized pots for mine, but mine is newer than yours. I think the older ones have had smaller f holes. Others here have used smaller pots when swapping them out. I will say one thing, regarless of which pots you use, it takes a lot of patience when swapping out parts. If you do, don't get the regular sized 1/4" jack, it is too small. I know from experience. Get the longer one. I would recommend Switchcraft for jacks and switch.

 

Also, check out your wiring and make sure the pups work before inserting all of the wiring. I learned this the hard way.

 

Search YouTube and you will find lots of videos on how to change pups in a semi-hollow body.

 

Good luck.

 

Here is my modded Sheraton. I put a B70 on mine.

 

Sherry.jpg

 

A very sweet axe indeed!!

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If and or when you decide to change the wiring, pots, jack and switch, make a template for all of your parts solder them together on the template first. That way you won't use more wire than you need to. Also. make sure you use good shielded cable or you will have lots of noise. There are lots of places you can get some, here is one:

 

http://www.stewmac.com/Pickups_and_Electronics/Pickup_Kits_and_Parts/P-90/Shielded_Push-back_Wire_-_16_inches.html

 

I have used their Alpha pots with excellent luck. Epi uses Alpha pots as well, but Stewmac uses a better grade. When I order online, I try to find a place that has everything I need so I can save in shipping costs.

 

Here are a few other places I have bought stuff from.

 

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/guitar_index.htm

http://www.guitarelectronics.com/

http://www.allparts.com/

http://www.terrapinguitars.com/ I had 3 pick guards made here. He ain't cheap, but he is good.

http://www.dguitarparts.com/

http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/

http://www.bestguitarparts.com/

http://www.wdmusic.com/

http://www.guitarfetish.com/ Some of their electronic parts are not an upgrade - Alpha pots for one.

 

Also, I recommend Orange Drop Capacitors.

 

There are many other places, but these are a good start.

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If and or when you decide to change the wiring, pots, jack and switch, make a template for all of your parts solder them together on the template first. That way you won't use more wire than you need to. Also. make sure you use good shielded cable or you will have lots of noise. There are lots of places you can get some, here is one:

 

http://www.stewmac.com/Pickups_and_Electronics/Pickup_Kits_and_Parts/P-90/Shielded_Push-back_Wire_-_16_inches.html

 

I have used their Alpha pots with excellent luck. Epi uses Alpha pots as well, but Stewmac uses a better grade. When I order online, I try to find a place that has everything I need so I can save in shipping costs.

 

Here are a few other places I have bought stuff from.

 

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/guitar_index.htm

http://www.guitarelectronics.com/

http://www.allparts.com/

http://www.terrapinguitars.com/ I had 3 pick guards made here. He ain't cheap, but he is good.

http://www.dguitarparts.com/

http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/

http://www.bestguitarparts.com/

http://www.wdmusic.com/

http://www.guitarfetish.com/ Some of their electronic parts are not an upgrade - Alpha pots for one.

 

Also, I recommend Orange Drop Capacitors.

 

There are many other places, but these are a good start.

 

Great stuff. I'm in Europe, so I should be better off finding local sources for some of the bits I imagine, though it depends a lot on each specific case. I've consulted the wiring diagrams on Seymour Duncan's site a little bit, a really handy resource.

 

A template is a splendid idea, I will certainly do that.

 

That's a really lovely example you've got there! What did you do with the tuning pegs?

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Welcome rcv. Lots of good advice above. I'd just add, scrape some of the chrome off the underside of the bigsby tail end section so you have bare metal to make the ground wire contact.

 

Being in the UK I do use allparts and wdmusic which have UK outlets, but often I only find parts I need in the US and end up placing orders there, usually guitarpartsresource.com or stewmac. Postage cost isn't too bad, delivery is quick and prices compare well.

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Same Grover tuners, just changed the bottons. I have never had any problems with any of the tuners on any of the Epiphones that I own or have owned.

 

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/tuners_partsbuttons.htm

 

I bought:

TK-7713-055

 

The Imperial style buttons almost give the tuners an 18:1 feel instead of the 14:1 that they are.

 

I'm sure there are equivalents in Europe somewhere. I am not familiar with the companies overseas, but there may be some on the forum that are.

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Thanks vomer for the welcome and tip on removing the chrome, I will do that. Local outlets in the UK for those suppliers will definitely help. I've had a look at importing guitars from the US before, but been put off by the duties and taxes. But I'll take your advice on parts and see how it goes if necessary.

 

jcwillow777, I think at least one of my tuners doesn't hold tension the way it should. I need to investigate properly and try a little maintenance first, but I thought they might need replacing. Hadn't considered changing the buttons, but that looks a nice idea.

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I think I'll be taking the electrics one step at a time, beginning with the pickups. Put it all back it, have a good listen. Should teach me a lot. Once I've done that I'll go back and do the rest of the electrics later, so I can get a look at how that affects things.

 

 

Only just noticed this. I would really recommend doing it all at once, as going through the f-hole of your Sheraton is not something you want to repeat if you can avoid it.

 

Something else not yet mentioned, if you upgrade to CTS pots (not sure about Alpha) then you will have to ream out the holes for the shafts. Use a 10mm or 3/8" drill bit by hand and turn it anti-clockwise. This will remove the wood without cracking the finish.

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I do understand why you're warning me off & I realise it may seem a little nuts to want to do it multiple times! I only have the one instrument though, and it will need to be back in service pretty soon. The notion of setting up a nice test rig for parts does occur, that might be a big labour saver when it comes time to do the rest.

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I understand having only one instrument. I just know the first time I did a pup swap on my Dot, it took me about 8 hours. I was learning while I was doing it and really didn't know what I was doing. Each time you do it, it should go faster, but that wasn't always the case with me. Regardless, good luck and I hope everything works out well for you.

 

To bad you don't have an easier guitar to experiment on!

 

Like vomer said, CTS pots are very good. But if you use them you will need to ream out the hole as he has said. I would also recommend using masking tape over the hole to help not chip your finish. Not to scare you, I have never had a problem chipping anything from reaming out a hole. Just take it slow.

 

Another consideration when getting pots - having matched pots is nice, but you will pay more. I have used CTS and Alpha pots and they can range anywhere from 475 - 525 ohms for a 500 ohm pot. I usually buy more than I need and then match them up the best I can.

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Thanks again guys for all the tips. The change of pickup went ok and all the electronics were nice and tidy, so fairly easy to handle. That didn't prevent me breaking off two connections when I put it in the first time though, so I've effectively done it twice now. Steep learning curve but worth getting to know the instrument properly. The ground is under the tail piece, which works just fine.

 

Think I'm going to have a crack at creating the whole thing from scratch using the parts you all mention above. Might make space for a third pickup in the middle too. This is all oddly addictive, it turns out.

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