1955 Epiphone Century

[Mike Knight]

Thanks to all who have guided me in this rebuild. I will post pics as requested by some. I settled on a Benedetto A-6 humbucker jazz pup. The following questions will demonstrate only too painfully what a neophyte I am at this. Though I have played forever, this is my first 'build from scratch' and I have a few embarrasingly basic issues.
1) I will have to rout the hole larger to accommodate the humbucker. This should not be a problem as there is no interference inside with any bracing.
2) When I install the pup in the neck position, I assume the screws face toward the headstock (as is on my other Gibson/Epi's). Why are the screws forward on the neck pup and toward the rear on the bridge? Would it make a difference to install it wrong way round? What would be the sound difference?
3) I assume the spring slides onto the long screw after it is inserted thru the guitar body then into the threads on the feet of the pup. A 'mounting plate' or 'skirt' or whatever it is called didn't come with the pup. I guess these are "sold separately"?

I have sanded the body with 800 and 1200 paper and purchased nitro cellulose lacquer for the finish (over the natural maple). A woodworker friend is going to shoot it for me when the humidity drops; hopefully this coming week. I'll probably come back with a few more questions as I assemble this beauty. Thanks for your patience with my project and your guidance to this point. It is truly appreciated.

Mike

 

[jeremy]

Re: 1955 Epiphone Century

1- depends on the size of the hole but if there was a p90 then the hole will be long enough but not wide enough. be very careful if you need to make the hole larger, go slow.

2- yes the screws typically face the neck on the neck pup rather than the bridge. there is no wrong way though. it will change the sound depending on which way it is installed, a little brighter and clearer with the screws closer to the bridge if the pole pieces are adjusted right. little warmer the other way.

3- the screws on a typical humbucker would go between the base plate legs of the humbucker and what ever the pup is mounted on. either a pickup ring or the top or pickguard or ? whatever the pup is attached to with the two long screws.

im assuming that the skirt you are talking about is a pickup ring. a plastic rectangular frame that the pup is attached to with the two long screws. pup rings are almost always screwed to the top of the guitar with four small screws, are usually sold seperately and are relatively inexpensive and should be readily available. they do come in slightly different sizes so it doesnt hurt to bring you pup to fit the ring. there are usually two common sizes. one about twice the height of the other. for the neck pup you would want the shorter ~1/8th" variety 99% of the time.

 

[Mike Knight]

Re: 1955 Epiphone Century

Thank you Jeremy. Good answers. Will get pup ring today. WON"T go to Musician's Friend for it because they _ _ _ _!