TP Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 I just got an estimate of about $135 to replace all the electronics (except the P90 pickups) in my 1996 Casino and since I know nothing about replacing electronics, I figured I would ask here if that seemed like a fair price for someone using decent quality parts? His breakdown was $95.00 labor and the rest was cost for parts. I have seen the complete kits for around $90 or so, but I have no skill for wiring electronics, especially in a hollow body. I assume it would take me days and the tech I have the quote from says he can do it in a days time. Anything I should look out for or question prior to accepting his offer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Doesn't seem like an unfair price to me. You might want to ask exactly what kind of hardware (Switchcraft jack and pickup selector are preferable), pots (CTS) and wire (braided shield, cloth jacket). Also any special switch operation you may want if something other than standard Casino configuration. If it's good hardware, cost is approximately $40, so you're paying for three or four hours labor at ~$25 - 30/hr. That's very fair IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeper Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Cheaper than my price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP Posted March 22, 2010 Author Share Posted March 22, 2010 Thanks for answering guys.... I want to make sure what he is putting in so I have already asked him yesterday what type of electronics, but have not heard back yet. Is there anything special about upgrading Casino's versus other hollow bodies? I thought I read once about the size of the selector switch being somewhat important. I also thought I read somewhere about what size pots fit through the f holes..... any information along those lines would help inform me better when I speak with the tech in the next few days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Casinos are considerably easier to upgrade than semi-hollow bodies due to the lack of a center block to obstruct access through the pickup holes. That's more likely how the tech will install the electrocnics than the F-holes. If this was a Sheraton or Riviera for example, you'd have to deal with the issues outlined in this thread: http://forums.epiphone.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=12229 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP Posted March 23, 2010 Author Share Posted March 23, 2010 Well, I guess I am glad that I have a full hollow body then.... no questions about routing through the bridge pup! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strumbone Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 As stated above, inquire about carling, switchcraft, cts, etc. Parts price seems low for quality stuff...here's one from Mojotone that's $90 for parts... ES335 Assembly but they are high quality parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 As stated above' date=' inquire about carling, switchcraft, cts, etc. Parts price seems low for quality stuff...here's one from Mojotone that's $90 for parts... ES335 Assembly but they are high quality parts. I was just roughly adding up the loose parts before wiring. Those Mojo assemblies are the nuts, if you wanna DIY. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP Posted March 23, 2010 Author Share Posted March 23, 2010 I was just roughly adding up the loose parts before wiring. Those Mojo assemblies are the nuts' date=' if you wanna DIY.[/quote'] I saw those when I was researching what to do with my Casino and I have to agree, they sure look like the best way to go for a DIY guy, but since I am very inexperianced at replacing any type of guitar electronics, (especially in a hollow or semi hollow body) I am going to go with someone who has re-wired several guitars. I shudder to think what I could do to my Casino if left to my own devices! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chefman Posted March 24, 2010 Share Posted March 24, 2010 I spent about $165 to have the same done to my MIK Dot, with Switchcraft jack, Gibson switch, CTS pots, and the proper vintage style wiring. I had previously replaced the pickups with Gibsons, and just did not get the full effect of the pickups until the electronics were also upgraded. The Dot being semi hollow definitely makes it more of a challenge, but my tech is the man. Best of luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP Posted April 2, 2010 Author Share Posted April 2, 2010 Thought I would give an update. I just got my Casino back last night from it's visit to the guitar doctor. First off, I will give a shout out for a local repair guy Leonard Shapiro in Minneapolis. His shop did a great job on my new wiring harness. The cost was even more reasonable than first mentioned, although I did go out and spend an extra $20 bill on some new "Top Hat" Black/Silver knobs above and beyond the cost of the harness upgrade. I left the stock P90's in it because I happend to like them and really wanted to hear if there was a distinct difference after the electronics upgrade. I have to say... Yes, there is a huge difference! I have much more control over the tone and volume. There is a definate "Sweep" that was missing from the original pots. Additionally, the new selector switch that doesn't rattle when in middle position, is a blessing! I love the black/silver look on the knobs as now I feel they match the Epi bigsby and truss/headstock. It's nice to look in the F holes and not see wires hanging all over the place as well! Anyway, I know pictures of my newly upgraded 1996 Peerless Casino: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordy01 Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 Looks good. Nice to know you found a good tech in your area. A lot of the members here have complained that there is no tech near their homes to go to. I also like that you recognize that your skill level at this time is not good enough to do the work yourself. We also hear from some people who have botched their work on a prized guitar. We don't hear this often here in the forum, as people don't usually advertise their mistakes, but in our repair shops we see it often. If you stick around and do some reading here, you might become interested in learning how to do some minor adjustments and tweaking of your guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP Posted April 2, 2010 Author Share Posted April 2, 2010 Thanks Gord.... At the ripe old age of 49 (Tomorrow anyway) I have learned a few things about tweaking my guitars. Mostly my acoustics (which also all have pickups in them), but when it comes to soldering, electrical switches, and most importantly working on a hollow or semi hollow body, I am all about paying someone who knows what they are doing to do the work. Here in Minneapolis we are very fortunate to have quite an excellent selection of qualified techs/luthiers. I have a couple of different guys I like to use depending on whether I am having my electrics or acoustics worked on. I will give a huge shout out for Leonard Shapiro's Guitar Repair. http://www.moseso.com/lsgr/ They got me in and out in no time at all and the prices were more than reasonable! He even tweeked my nut with his file after I complained about the G string sticking since I went to a higher string gauge and a wound G. The harness was extremely well built. I checked inside with my telescopic automotive mirror and the work is clean as a whistle!!! Leonard is not only a top notch repair guy, but he also can play some amazing guitar. He fronts a Blues based group and uses the stage name "Moses Oakland". Man can he make his Barney Kessel guitar cry, scream or whatever he wants! He also hosts a local Sunday night Blues Jam at a local Bar/Rib joint that is always well attended. Here is a link to his Band: http://www.moseso.com/ Since getting interested in playing electric a couple years ago, I figured I should at least know how to set up my guitars like I do my acoustics. I have enjoyed learning how to tweak the intonation, bridge height, saddle height and set the relief on all my guitars but for some reason, I just can't or won't learn the electronics modding part which is likely a good thing according to my wife! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordy01 Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 LOL. That's great that you've put that kind of effort in. At the riper, older age of 55, I've also taken an interst in working on my guitars, and friends guitars. I now have a repair shop set up in my basement and garage. I've also built 2 guitars from parts. If you want to learn how to do electrical repairs, there are a lot of good books available. Get some old pots from your tech, and a soldering iron and some wire and solder, and practice. It is easier than you think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony_JB Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 TP, I totally know how you feel when it comes to the electronics. For some reason, I just never EVER for the life of my wanted to mess around with the electronics of my guitar or anything ELSE for that matter. Until yesterday that is.. I bought a soldering iron and a wire stripper and I worked all day installing my car's new stereo. It was a learning experience. I've found that soldering is not too difficult and with a little more practice, I can do some very fine soldering. I guess sometimes, you just have to DO it. Afterwards, I was looking for all sorts of electronic gadgets I could solder! After reading this thread, it had prompted me to do the same and rewire my guitar using quality parts. I'll let you know how it goes! Oh and before you techs and luthiers start scolding me. I SUPPORT MY LOCAL TECH! (I just want to save money and be "one" with my guitar too.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP Posted April 2, 2010 Author Share Posted April 2, 2010 TP' date=' I totally know how you feel when it comes to the electronics. For some reason, I just never EVER for the life of my wanted to mess around with the electronics of my guitar or anything ELSE for that matter. Until yesterday that is.. I bought a soldering iron and a wire stripper and I worked all day installing my car's new stereo. It was a learning experience. I've found that soldering is not too difficult and with a little more practice, I can do some very fine soldering. I guess sometimes, you just have to DO it. Afterwards, I was looking for all sorts of electronic gadgets I could solder! After reading this thread, it had prompted me to do the same and rewire my guitar using quality parts. I'll let you know how it goes! Oh and before you techs and luthiers start scolding me. I SUPPORT MY LOCAL TECH! (I just want to save money and be "one" with my guitar too.)[/quote'] Good for you Anthony!!! I say go for it. I enjoy being able to do the little "tweaky" things to my guitars that I used to have a tech do. I find it somewhat relaxing sitting around on a Saturday morning with a cup of coffee and my tools as I re-string, adjust action or intonation and such. Someday maybe I will get the courage (and tools) necessary to do some electrical work, but I can guarentee you it won't be on a hollow or semi-hollow anyway! Maybe I will try working a bit on my Schecter C1+ humbucker equipped guitar, but in reality, that thing plays so nice and came with stock USA parts and wiring, so I may have to buy a nice Mexi Strat or something to get started on modding guitars. I never thought that changing out scratchy old pots and wiring could make such a profound difference on my Casino. Between that and the black/silver Top Hat knobs make it "Perfect" now to me. I have never understood why Epi put gold knobs on the Casinos when Black/Silver matches better (at least in my color blind world!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordy01 Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 TP' date=' I totally know how you feel when it comes to the electronics. For some reason, I just never EVER for the life of my wanted to mess around with the electronics of my guitar or anything ELSE for that matter. Until yesterday that is.. [b']I bought a soldering iron and a wire stripper and I worked all day installing my car's new stereo. It was a learning experience. I've found that soldering is not too difficult and with a little more practice, I can do some very fine soldering.[/b] I guess sometimes, you just have to DO it. Afterwards, I was looking for all sorts of electronic gadgets I could solder! After reading this thread, it had prompted me to do the same and rewire my guitar using quality parts. I'll let you know how it goes! Oh and before you techs and luthiers start scolding me. I SUPPORT MY LOCAL TECH! (I just want to save money and be "one" with my guitar too.) Good for you Anthony!! I started repairing my own guitars after being "Hosed" by one of our local luthiers. The guy is a very skilled craftsman, but he really overcharged me for a simple job that I had 50 % complete already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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