Anyone know a site for installing pups on a Hollowbody?

[tmd187]

I've never replaced humbuckers on a Hollowbody before, I was hoping there was a site or video that would help me understand the best method to do this. Thanks everyone, I really hope somebody can give me some info, I could take it to a tech, but I don't trust the two in my town or nearby. I've replaced pups in many guitars before, it's the concept of the Hollowbody that's unknowned to me. Peace!
Trav

 

[greco]

Re: Anyone know a site for installing pups on a Hollowbody?

This subject has been discussed several times in the forum.

Try a search of "semi-hollow body" or "335" (or "335's") and this will give you the information you need. You can do the work through the "f" holes or through the pickup cavity.

I'll watch your post, please let us know if you don't get the information you need.

I'll also try to find some links for you.

Dave

 

[greco]

Re: Anyone know a site for installing pups on a Hollowbody?

This link should help you to get started.

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=92401

Dave

 

[tmd187]

Re: Anyone know a site for installing pups on a Hollowbody?

Dave,
Thank you very much for the help, I know it's not going to be easy. But I'll find that info. I appreciate it man! Good Man!
Trav

 

[greco]

Re: Anyone know a site for installing pups on a Hollowbody?

I have done all new electronics in 335 copies several times, and have to do one in the next week or two.

What make and model of guitar are you doing the work on?...we aren't talking about a $2000.00 + guitar here are we ? ...just hate to think of you trying your first pickup change on a real expensive axe.

Read as much as you can first and GO SLOWLY...no need to rush.

If you think that new pots, switch and input jack could be of better quality, this is the time to do them also.

If you get "stuck" part way through, stop and ask here in your thread, someone will help you.

How are your soldering skills ? This is VERY important.

Teasting continuity with a multimeter is a also good thing to learn and use for this type of work

Test the wiring harness and pickups before you put the back into the guitar...saves a lot of work if you have a mistake or poor solder joint.

I could go on and on trying to take you through this step-by-step, but I'll let you do some reading and wait for specific questions.

Dave

 

[greco]

Re: Anyone know a site for installing pups on a Hollowbody?

Try this link for "continuity testing"

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=91419&highlight=continuity

 

[greco]

Re: Anyone know a site for installing pups on a Hollowbody?

Found this from an old thread

"It is a pain working through the "f" holes and there are several are past threads that discuss how to do it.

Some folks tie string to the shaft of the pots & switch and then pull them out through the "f" hole. Some use surgical tubing pushed over the pot shaft and switch. Lately, I have just been threading fine guage single conductor wire (holds it's shape) through the hole for the pots and switch when I'm done and guiding it through "f" hole, attach the pot/switch, and then pull it back through. The wire can be recessed in the slot on the shaft with a twist at the base of the shaft.

To do the jack, I soldered a 1/4 inch plug (cut off at the base of the plug so that the plug will fit through the hole that the jack goes into) to a piece of wire (solid 14 guage..about 18 inches long). This works great. This "tool" is also good to have around if the jack comes loose and is floating around inside the guitar.

Using small diameter pots is much easier, but I like CTS pots for their quality and I've never seen them in a small diameter format. (edit ..you can't get small diameter CTS pots)

You have to watch that you cover your guitar well around the "f" holes so that you don't scratch the finish or drop hot solder on it....can happen very easily.

Also, I'd use fairly long leads between all of the parts (switch, jack, and all 4 pots). It makes putting them in / taking them out much easier.

The pickup part of the change is usually straight forward."

Hope this helps.



Dave

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: Anyone know a site for installing pups on a Hollowbody?

Dave, that's really nice of you to help him like that.

 

[greco]

Re: Anyone know a site for installing pups on a Hollowbody?

Hi bigalthethird:

Thanks for your comment. Much appreciated.

I have been helped so often by bros on this forum (and by folks where I live, music stores, etc.), I feel that this is the least I can do.

I'm going to feel a bit dumb if Trav is an electronics engineer/tech though...:smack:

Trav, I see you have 6 posts,
Welcome to a great forum:smokin:

Dave

 

[greco]

Re: Anyone know a site for installing pups on a Hollowbody?

Trav...maybe some comments from others will be the result of this friendly bump.

 

[tmd187]

Re: Anyone know a site for installing pups on a Hollowbody?

To Dave, no I'm an Elementary School Teacher in PA right now, hoping to move out West Spring 08' though. So I'm not a Tech like that..nope! The more I think about this wiring situation the more I'm likely to get the best tech in State College to wire this baby up. I've soldered many guitars before, coil split and the works, but just something about this guitar makes me worried, and that's not a good sign of confidence now is it. This guitar is a Custom, not a Gibby, or any brand name. A man in Rochester did a terrific job on this for me and it took a few years of saving up to buy, so I don't want to do anything that will even think about damaging this guitar. I'm going to call some tech's tomorrow and find the one I hope. I even offered to drive it up to Rochester,NY to have him redo it. And pay him well, the guitar has not only $ value, but it means alot to me. I can't get enough info to do it myself, and I'm not a rookie at this, I'm in the Minor League's but I can still hit and run! Do you think I'm doing the right thing. There are aspects of this guitar that I'm not positive on, the pots, output jack. I do know most are Switchcraft and that these F-Holes are smaller than any Gibby's. And there is no internal block in this Hollowbody, it's complelely empty inside. You guys are great here, and I appreciate that. Other Forums, not so nice to ya! All about the number of posts and who can make the smart remark. Dave, my email listed below, if you could give me any more info, or help. I'd take it from anyone, Greco you seem to know what you're doing. Just email me and I'll send you some pics. Thanks!

 

[greco]

Re: Anyone know a site for installing pups on a Hollowbody?

Trav:

You have lots of experience and skills, but this is an expensive guitar that means a lot to you. If you aren't confident, don't try the changes yourself. Find a good tech and watch him do the work (if he is OK with that) so that he can teach you how to do the changes in the future.

I paid a tech to take one hour to teach me "all" the things I needed to know to try this the first time (and I bought the parts from him). It was the only way that I could get all my questions answered, and I didn't know who to ask (or where to look) at that time. HOWEVER, I was fixing up an old MIJ 335 copy that I got for about $220.00 US as a project. All went well, guitar sounded great, played great, looked great.....and was stolen during a B&E at my house a few weeks later.

If the "f" holes are small, the work will be done through the pickup cavities/holes.

I'm sending an email so that you can send some pics. Now I'm really curious, being that it is an expensive custom guitar.

Good Luck, bro.

Let us know the results.

Dave