Got New Pups for LP Classic

[NT02]

Based on the advice from board members (mrfjones, lewguitar, drbarlo, papersoul, bluesnmettle, jeffh, benjy26, thanks!) I've purchased an Antiquity for the neck position of my 02 LP Classic. I also went ahead and purchased a Seth Lover for the bridge and electronics upgrade kit with 500k CTS pots and Hovland caps. You guys are a bad influence in a good way.

Anyway, just wondering, as I've never swapped pickups before, but have no problems working on my own toys (music equipment and motorcycles), is there anything important info I need to be aware of? I get that you don't get the pots too hot, lay some stuff on your guitar so you don't drip solder, I assume the stock, cream pickup rings will work, but will measure to be sure, pole pieces go towards the opposite ends, neck for neck, bridge for bridge...what else? Don't burn myself, go slow, have fun...I know I’m missing something!

Honestly, I’m sitting here at work excited about getting home and getting this done. I’ve already recorded the sounds of my stock pickups, and plan on recording the same tunes with the same amp settings with the new stuff installed to compare differences. Anyone else ever chomp at that bit at work to get home and play?

 

[wallyhooker]

Re: Got New Pups for LP Classic

use alligator clips for heat sinks when soldering!

Sounds like a nice pair, look forward to hearing the results!

Wally

 

[NT02]

Re: Got New Pups for LP Classic

Oh yeah, great suggestion, thanks!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Got New Pups for LP Classic

That sounds like a great combination of pickups.

If you have a multimeter check your pots once you have the old pickups out and before you put the new ones in. If they measure around 300K I'd replace them with some 500K CTS. ($5. each)

I'd also consider replacing the tone caps with a pair of .02 Sprague Orange Drop caps.

And if you feel that your tone gets a little dull and muddy when you turn the volume control down to 7 or lower, do the 50's mod:
simply attach one end of the tone capacitor to the middle terminal of the volume pots instead of the usual connection.

Lew

 

[NT02]

Re: Got New Pups for LP Classic

Lew,

If ya sacn my first post: "I also went ahead and purchased a Seth Lover for the bridge and electronics upgrade kit with 500k CTS pots and Hovland caps. "

The caps are .02. As you can see, I've been paying attention to yours and other's posts! One thing, The wiring mod that came with the new pots and caps is different then modern wiring and the 50s wiring. The 50s mod moves the cap over to the middle post on the volume pot. The wiring diagram I received, which is used by BlackRose and RSguitarworks, has the cap wired to the opposite post from the one with that the pickup is wired to, on the other side of the middle post. I asked on the forum what the difference is, and this is what BlackRose posted:
"The main advantage of the wiring RS uses is that there is less roll off of highs as the volume control is turned down. We use the same wiring in our kits and it does make a difference. The question really comes down to what you personally like better.

Just FYI, the 500K pots will improve clarity and add some brightness to the guitar. The quality caps will make your tone controls more useful. "

In your experience, is there a big difference between their wiring and 50s wiring, and if so, which do you prefer and why?

Thanks agian for the most useful info. I've learned too much in the past few weeks! Your posts are definitely some of the most helpful.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Got New Pups for LP Classic

Thank you! Guess I read your post to fast...didn't catch the part about the kit. Lew

 

[NT02]

Re: Got New Pups for LP Classic

Lew,

In your experience, is there a big difference between their wiring and 50s wiring, and if so, which do you prefer and why?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Got New Pups for LP Classic

I have only compared the "50's wiring" to standard wiring and I hear quite a diff there. All of my guitars have the "50's wiring"...even my Strats and Teles. And, of course, the 50's wiring is standard on all Hamer guitars.

The tone control is connected to the output jack on Hamers...but it does the exact same thing as connecting it to the middle terminal of the volume pot as the middle terminal leads to the output jack eventually.

Lew

 

[mrfjones]

Re: Got New Pups for LP Classic

i am glad i am a bad influence

my only advise right now is to follow your diagram and check your joints. plus, do not heat the back of the pot too much.

Your guitar should sound like you pulled it off the shelf 45 years ago

 

[NT02]

Re: Got New Pups for LP Classic

Sweet. Thanks again. I'm off to do some soldering.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Got New Pups for LP Classic

Can't wait to hear how it turns out. Good luck and have fun!

 

[NT02]

Re: Got New Pups for LP Classic

WOW! Better description later. I've been unable to put the guitar down long enough to install the electronics. Only added the pups and am loving it so much! Light overdrive has never sounded this good form my LP, and the antiquity is just perfect, beautiful. My girlfriend even said, "it sounds clearer", without even knowing what I was doing. Sweet!

Any quick tips for adjusting pickup height? Gonna do the electronics today and play some more. I'll give a full description of the mods in a different thread later.

Edit: On second though decided to post results below...

 

[NT02]

Re: Got New Pups for LP Classic

Ok, I think I'm done (for now!).

Pickups: Fabulous. Both are articulate, clear, bell-like chime. I love the open, airy quality and the way I can bear down on the strings or just barely caress them and hear every bit of it. They are very balanced across all strings. I can't say enough good things about the pickups.

The electronics, on the other hand, didn't work out so well. After trying all kinds of combinations of components and wirings, I've settled on the 50s wiring, Hovland caps, 500k CTS pots for neck, stock Gibson 300k volume and Gibson 500k tone pots.

Bridge: I find the tone to be a tad weaker and somewhat shrill with the CTS pots for the bridge. There ARE many more different tones attainable wih the tone and volume knobs with the CTS pots and RSGuitarworks wiring, but when it comes down to it, both knobs at ten, it just doesn't have the thick, chunky tone that I like. Maybe I'm different than most, but I just couldn't get around it.

Neck: I found that the CTS pots on the neck also seemed to weaken the tone a tad, but added some clarity as well. All in all, knowing what I know now, I wouldn't have spent the cash for the electronics, and would've bought one 500k pot for neck volume and some caps. But at least I now know what I like, and who knows, maybe I'll get bored one day and play some more. One thing I noticed, with a 500k pot, the volume isn't as versatile. The volume drops much more dramatically when turning the knob. I tried different pots, and the same thing. Seems to be consistent with 500k pots.

Conclusion: All in all, I love the pickups, absolutely, and learned a lot about the electronics. Thanks to this board and the suggestions of the knowlegable, friendly folks here. Thanks!