Kaptain Krunch Posted January 8, 2012 Posted January 8, 2012 My 2001 Les Paul Special is in need of some help. The pots are fading on me and the 3 way switch is now a 2 way switch...I got some work to do. I like to do all my own work for 2 reasons. 1)To learn and 2)To save money. Im good with soldering so thats not a concern and I can read a wiring diagram. What I dont know is...Which Pots should I get and wheres a good place to get them? Also...Should I consider the Jimmy Page kit? It looks pretty awesome. Thanks!
darth_flanger Posted January 8, 2012 Posted January 8, 2012 Forgive me if I am teaching my granny to suck eggs, but what is the power rating of your soldering iron? A common mistake is that often an iron of insufficient power is used, which does not present a problem when soldering signal lines, but does when tagging all the grounds to the pot body. Again apols if stating the obvious, but I generally cover my guitar in newspaper with a hole cut in it to protect the finish from any solder splashes etc
darth_flanger Posted January 8, 2012 Posted January 8, 2012 My 2001 Les Paul Special is in need of some help. The pots are fading on me and the 3 way switch is now a 2 way switch...I got some work to do. I like to do all my own work for 2 reasons. 1)To learn and 2)To save money. Im good with soldering so thats not a concern and I can read a wiring diagram. What I dont know is...Which Pots should I get and wheres a good place to get them? Also...Should I consider the Jimmy Page kit? It looks pretty awesome. Thanks! btw, which country are you in? I have bought guitar electronics from the UK and the states, but knowing where you are would help
Kaptain Krunch Posted January 8, 2012 Author Posted January 8, 2012 btw, which country are you in? I have bought guitar electronics from the UK and the states, but knowing where you are would help Im in the U.S. My soldering iron is a 50 watt Weller WES51 solderin station. It has variable temp. I have many tips too. No apologies necessary...I appreciate the help.
darth_flanger Posted January 8, 2012 Posted January 8, 2012 Im in the U.S. My soldering iron is a 50 watt Weller WES51 solderin station. It has variable temp. I have many tips too. No apologies necessary...I appreciate the help. I would use low melting point solder (LMP), off the top of my head 50W iron should cut it, but I will check what we use at work, I just had a look at my iron at home and the rating decal has melted with the heat over the years(!). For the signal lines and pot tags 360 degrees should be more than enough, only real danger is that you may melt the insulation of the wires - depending on type. For the ground pot chassis stuff I'd happily go to 420+ (both degrees C btw - I'm in the UK). Chisel type bit for pot chassis, all else thinner "pencil point" bit would suffice I have used guitarelectronics.com and mojo music supplies in the states, I think you also have WD guitar parts(?) Probably some of the guys on this forum have more suggestions. The pot ratings are usually stamped on the pots, I would be inclined to replace like with like, ie take rear cover off and inspect rear of pots, post a pic if in any doubt. Don't know much about the Jimmy Page mod, cant offer any input. (Didn't he have a micro switch under the scratch plate? If this is the same mod, we are talking holes in the guitar, no?) The above are simply what I would do/use, it has been successful for me, I would hope the same for you. Again I can not stress enough though, protect the finish of your guitar, solder "bombs" or splashes can certainly screw up your finish.
Kaptain Krunch Posted January 9, 2012 Author Posted January 9, 2012 Thanks Darth...good info. Most likely, except for the final stages, all the soldering will be done out of the guitar using a template. The Jimmy Page mod that Im talking about just uses push/pull pots so you can split coils. Heres the diagram. http://www.seymourduncan.com/pdfs/support/schematics/jp_style.pdf
surfpup Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 While you can source your stuff out part by part and (perhaps) save money, I'm a big fan of the pre-wired kits that RS Guitarworks is doing. I have their vintage kits in both of my Les Pauls.
Kolera Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 You should check JonesyBlues also. He's getting really good feedback from the other site. My tech is currently installing his kits in all of my LP's. He's got JP-sets too.
Kaptain Krunch Posted January 9, 2012 Author Posted January 9, 2012 Thanks guys...looking into it as we speak.
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