Anyone swap out pots on an Ibanez Artcore?

[PylonRacer]

I've got a new AS83 that I'm putting a set of Seth's in. Is there any good reason to spend $ on replacing all the pots, switch and jack with something like the RSGuitar kit in it? Has anyone done this? Any percieved improvement? The switch feels a little cheezy; but the Vol and Tone pots feel smooth; and appear to do what they are supposed to.

Should I wait for something to wear out; or just replace it all now with the new pups?

WWJD?

 

[LoFiBrian]

Re: Anyone swap out pots on an Ibanez Artcore?

I found the switch and pots and caps to be of the cheapest quality on my buddies Artcore...

You can expect a nicer roll off on your tone control and a more usable volume range on the volume pots and a nice switch means less noise switching and will last forever.

try this site for any parts you need:

specialtyguitars.com

 

[PylonRacer]

Re: Anyone swap out pots on an Ibanez Artcore?

Did your friends Artcore have 500K pots?

 

[xrunner6]

Re: Anyone swap out pots on an Ibanez Artcore?

I've got a new AS83 that I'm putting a set of Seth's in. Is there any good reason to spend $ on replacing all the pots, switch and jack with something like the RSGuitar kit in it? Has anyone done this? Any percieved improvement? The switch feels a little cheezy; but the Vol and Tone pots feel smooth; and appear to do what they are supposed to.

Should I wait for something to wear out; or just replace it all now with the new pups?

WWJD?

a month ago i bought a AK95, congrats. i felt the need to get Jazz box. My switch doesn't feel all that great either ,but might just need some cleaning or switch it out for a switchcraft brand. the values of the pots definitley would open up the pickups or take away some of the top end
depending on what your trying to achieve. Now you got me thinking i wanna swap some parts out in my Jazz guitar. i'm so anal about the tones until i get what i want.

Peace!

 

[LoFiBrian]

Re: Anyone swap out pots on an Ibanez Artcore?

Did your friends Artcore have 500K pots?

if memory serves...yes it did.

 

[MojoMonster]

Re: Anyone swap out pots on an Ibanez Artcore?

I've got a new AS83 that I'm putting a set of Seth's in. Is there any good reason to spend $ on replacing all the pots, switch and jack with something like the RSGuitar kit in it? Has anyone done this? Any percieved improvement? The switch feels a little cheezy; but the Vol and Tone pots feel smooth; and appear to do what they are supposed to.
Should I wait for something to wear out; or just replace it all now with the new pups?
WWJD?

I swapped out all 4 pots for 500k push/pulls and did the Jimmy Page mod. Definitely replace the switch. I'd add treble mod and slightly better caps, too. But that's me.
You could go all out and replace the tuners and/or the bridge and the tail piece with a lightweight aluminum one, but I'm not sure I want to spend anymore money on it right now.

I put a covered PGb and Jazzn in mine and really dig it.
Good luck.

MM

 

[PylonRacer]

Re: Anyone swap out pots on an Ibanez Artcore?

Thanks for all the info.

Yeah there is a $ limit where it stops making sense. So far tuners and bridge/tailpiece are fine. So I'll leave them as is. Sounds like there are diminishing returns for the electronics; but the new pups should definitely take the wet blanket off the moose .

Thanks for the heads up Grumpy. Not looking forward to drilling it; but it's not a Gibson so I guess it's alright.

 

[alathIN]

Re: Anyone swap out pots on an Ibanez Artcore?

Thread resurrection - I'm having similar ideas about my AS73 semihollow (ES335ish).
Do I need long or short shaft?
Split or solid?
I was considering a split pickup at the bridge or maybe both, and would likely use push-pull pots for the volume(s).

Since it's reputed to be a hassle to replace electronics in an f-hole semihollow, I don't want to do this job twice.
Is there anything wrong with the Ibanez wires? If I need to replace the actual wires what should I use?

How badly do I need to replace the switch? It seems fine from all I can tell.

I'm reasonably mechanical so I figured with YouTube help and maybe some help from my kids' smaller hands I can probably do this job myself.

Please let me know if there are any fatal flaws in my plan, or any hidden pitfalls that might not be obvious.

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Anyone swap out pots on an Ibanez Artcore?

If you don't turn your volume or tone pots much I wouldn't worry about.
For sure, replace the cheapo jack with a Switchcraft unit.

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Anyone swap out pots on an Ibanez Artcore?

I have an AS83 which I put P-Rails into, and I swapped out pots at the same time... but only because I wanted push/pulls for a phase reverse and a master series/parallel (which I never use), and then put no-load pots on the tones just to see if it made a difference for me (they didn't). I have a replacement switch that I haven't installed yet only because I haven't gotten around to it, because the existing switch gives me trouble from time to time.

I've also put on locking tuners and a roller bridge. The tuners are because I like the quick string changes, and the bridge because I was having premature breakage problems. Did both at the same time... my string breaks are now seldom and the tuning stability is much better.

If I was doing it all over again, the only things I'd bother changing would be the pickups, adding a push/pull for phase reverse, the switch, the bridge and the tuners. The pots were fine.

 

[alathIN]

Re: Anyone swap out pots on an Ibanez Artcore?

I'm having similar ideas about my AS73 semihollow (ES335ish).
Do I need long or short shaft?
Split or solid?
I was considering a split pickup at the bridge or maybe both, and would likely use push-pull pots for the volume(s).

Since it's reputed to be a hassle to replace electronics in an f-hole semihollow, I don't want to do this job twice.
Is there anything wrong with the Ibanez wires? If I need to replace the actual wires what should I use?

How badly do I need to replace the switch? It seems fine from all I can tell.

I'm reasonably mechanical so I figured with YouTube help and maybe some help from my kids' smaller hands I can probably do this job myself.

Please let me know if there are any fatal flaws in my plan, or any hidden pitfalls that might not be obvious.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Anyone swap out pots on an Ibanez Artcore?

Several years ago when I got my MIK Artstar AS-120TR, I got it thinking I would do the RS Kit upgrade. But, the pots were so so smooth and had such a great taper, I left it stock. The pots are 500K. I really like the Super '58 pickups too.

If the switch or jack are giving you trouble, then I would go with Switchcraft parts...professionally installed.

Bill