Can't Put It Off Any Longer...

[Lucius Paisley]

Making plans to bring this back to almost new...

The pots at the moment have two positions, off or full, and they SCRATCH all the way from 0 to 10, which means they have to go. So I'll be taking the opportunity to just start over electronics-wise, everything must go, pots, switch, all the wiring in-between. And changing the pickups while I'm at it, thinking a pair of Distortions.

It's a slightly different guitar to what's shown in the video, so maybe it will have a similar sound, maybe it won't, who knows?

I do know the tuners on this are excellent, I pulled it out last night to remind myself what's on there. I forgot to look at the brand, but it was still in tune from the last time I played it, which was some time last year. But I am thinking of switching them for locking tuners, a slight indulgence since these are fine, but I'd love for string changes to be quicker because I hate doing it.

The end goal is to get this out of its case more, hopefully bringing it back to its "original" glory will help with that.

 

[ICTGoober]

Those Ibanez LP copies with the "rabbit head" inlay are pretty collectible these days, so if you can - keep the original parts. Even those "Star" tuners are worth around $300 a set in good working order.

 

[Lucius Paisley]

Those Ibanez LP copies with the "rabbit head" inlay are pretty collectible these days, so if you can - keep the original parts. Even those "Star" tuners are worth around $300 a set in good working order.

I'm the third owner of this guitar (that I know of), the Star tuners (if this guitar ever had them), the Super 70 pickups, original stop bar and bridge are long gone.

 

[ICTGoober]

Super 70's are very collectible, too. I hope someone who loves them is using them. Drive on with your project, and keep us informed!

 

[Mincer]

Wow, a very cool guitar! Post pics of the progress, too!

 

[eclecticsynergy]

I have a similar MIJ - a '77 Greco - and it sounds glorious with the Distortion set in it.
I do need to replace its old pots though. They work, but they're loose & scratchy.

 

[Lucius Paisley]

I have a similar MIJ - a '77 Greco - and it sounds glorious with the Distortion set in it.
I do need to replace its old pots though. They work, but they're loose & scratchy.

Good to get a heads up on the Distortions. It's just a shame that the cash conversion means I'm paying almost double here.

And then there's the rough estimate I did of the overhaul, I'll end up paying almost the same as I paid for the guitar originally. But I can weigh that up against a brand new Les Paul and doing it this way means saving SO much money.

 

[PS412]

Super 70's are very collectible, too. I hope someone who loves them is using them. Drive on with your project, and keep us informed!

Well this is good to know, I have three of them in a Destroyer. Think I'll keep them, they're ggggggrrrrreat.

Other than all upside down and backwards, that is a really nice guitar.

 

[Mincer]

Having never tried Super 70s, what's their thing?

 

[PS412]

Having never tried Super 70s, what's their thing?

Well Mr. Mincer, other than old school Batman Kapows and Blams, I suck at describing sound. But I just find them to be a very well rounded, smooth, P.A.F style pickup. When distorted,I find they are good and clear through pretty much low to high. I just find them to be a very comfortable pick up to play. They aren't overwhelming, they aren't underpowered and just have a note clarity that I enjoy.

 

[Wattage]

If they are the original pots on/off was basically their taper. I can't recommend the SD branded Bourns pots enough, a few bucks extra but so worth it if you use your knobs. The roll off is great and consistent between pots. Regular Bourns are very good as well but the SD's just seem to work a little better.

I love the old Ibby LP's I have had a couple, they were excellent guitars.

https://www.reproguitarparts.com/ if you need any specific parts for it

 

[Mincer]

Well Mr. Mincer, other than old school Batman Kapows and Blams, I suck at describing sound. But I just find them to be a very well rounded, smooth, P.A.F style pickup. When distorted,I find they are good and clear through pretty much low to high. I just find them to be a very comfortable pick up to play. They aren't overwhelming, they aren't underpowered and just have a note clarity that I enjoy.

Sounds like I'd dig them.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Good to get a heads up on the Distortions. It's just a shame that the cash conversion means I'm paying almost double here.

And then there's the rough estimate I did of the overhaul, I'll end up paying almost the same as I paid for the guitar originally. But I can weigh that up against a brand new Les Paul and doing it this way means saving SO much money.

Well worth it - you're not getting a brand new guitar, you're getting a new guitar with decades of mojo.
My Greco:

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Having never tried Super 70s, what's their thing?

It's a fairly light PAF wind (7.6K neck/8K bridge I think) but loaded with A8 mags.
Full and smooth, with sparkle - great sounding pickups.
I like them much better that the T-tops Gibson was using back then.

Before PAF types came back into fashion you could score a pair of Super 70s for about $50.
As with T-tops, they're now collectible and bring pretty high prices.

EDIT: Pretty sure Super 80s were the same wind but with ceramics.

 

[nexion218]

If they are the original pots on/off was basically their taper. I can't recommend the SD branded Bourns pots enough, a few bucks extra but so worth it if you use your knobs. The roll off is great and consistent between pots. Regular Bourns are very good as well but the SD's just seem to work a little better.

I love the old Ibby LP's I have had a couple, they were excellent guitars.

https://www.reproguitarparts.com/ if you need any specific parts for it

+1 for the SD baranded pots. Each one I have is within +/-2 % tolerance. The only downside is the imperial/metric mismatch with non-USA guitars...

 

[Securb]

Having never tried Super 70s, what's their thing?

They are thick, with great mid-range, and very articulate. The touch sensitivity is spectacular. They take to gain very well. Here is a track I recorded years back with a Super 70.

 

[Mincer]

Wow, very awesome! I have to try these.

 

[Lucius Paisley]

The only downside is the imperial/metric mismatch with non-USA guitars...

Too big or too small? It would be a shame to have to change my knob covers, but needs be as the devil drives or whatever the hell that phrase means, I can probably get some speed knobs that don't look awful.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Too big or too small? It would be a shame to have to change my knob covers, but needs be as the devil drives or whatever the hell that phrase means, I can probably get some speed knobs that don't look awful.

For Imperial pots to fit you'll need to widen the mounting holes a little bit.
I've done this to several guitars with a hand reamer; I feel that's safer than a drill.
And you'll need US spec knobs too of course.

If you don't want to, you can also replace the old ones with import spec pots.
I believe one or two of the better manufacturers do make them, though not AFAIK in a tight tolerance version.

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Cool old 2350 . These have maple necks, fwiw.

There are probably some pu makers out there which make their own version of the Super 70 - worth checking out without forking out $$ for originals.

Maybe putting an A8 into a 59b will give you a pseudo-Super 70 as well. :33: