My Green machine related - amazing news! Best day of the last 2 months!

Re: My Green machine related - amazing news! Best day of the last 2 months!

bigalthethird said:
Thank you very much dave!

So you have to solder the braided wire cover (the braid) to the volume pot? I see the diagram, and it seems pretty straightforward, I just wanna make sure.

And yeah, there is a center block of wood. I haven't bought the pots or anything yet (I'm probably going to start this project next Monday, after my midterm). What is the difference with small pots, besides size? Any tonal difference? The original pots did fit through the F holes, through the bottom.
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The braided wire gets soldered to ALL of the pots (Volume and Tone) in the same way as shown.

Most people like the CTS pots for their quality. CTS pots do not come in small sizes. Bada Bing checked thart out for me. I'm not sure about tonal comparisons with various pots...but quality is a factor if you don't want to have to change them soon as the cheap ones can get "scratchy" more quickly. What is the approximate diameter of your pots that fit through the "F" holes?

I would also invest in a good 3 way switch (not one that is in a metal enclosure/box) and a Switchcraft jack. You will not regret using good quality components now and therefore not having to do this again soon in the future.

Also, the cap values. The diagram shows 0.047 microfarads (uF). I would suggest you try 0.022 uF or 0.033 uF caps. Now the fun begins..the cost of the caps goes from about $1.50 each to about $10.00 each. Personally, I'm not convinced that the expensive caps make a huge difference....BUT...many forumbros seem to think that they do. Your call. BTW...lots of threads recently on this topic.

The jack can be fun to put in place.

I use fine (22 gauge) solid conductor wire to "fish" the pots, switch and jack through the "f" holes ( or pickup cavity)...rather than string. Works better for me as it holds it's shape and can be easily "directed".

Good Luck on the exam.

Keep us posted with your progress.

Dave
 
Re: My Green machine related - amazing news! Best day of the last 2 months!

Quote bigalthethirdThe bigger point is to change to Hovland Musicaps. Do this now! Right now! Stop reading, and go do this!

Seriously though, Hovlands will make your guitar sound $500 better.

I found this while reading another thread. I guess you are a Hovland man. That's cool. Now, what uF rating are you going to use?
 
Re: My Green machine related - amazing news! Best day of the last 2 months!

Hey Skyydogg, thanks! Ghetto beautiful huh? :) Btw, there's a 5 day hold on your check, I deposited it on Tuesday. So it should be available Sunday, meaning I will mail it Monday.

And greco, I love Hovlands. It might all be in my head, but I hear a difference. And it makes the tone knobs usable. I don't scrimp on parts, at all. I buy the best quality item I can buy, or I don't buy anything. There's no middle ground for me. I'm getting all the best electronics, probably tomorrow or monday. And I have been using small guitar strings to fish stuff through so far, very rigid, but also very plaible (like you said). The first pots were normal sized, a nickel or so diameter. The only sized pots I've ever seen.

Now to the question at hand, cap value. .022, .033 or .047. This is a semi-hollow guitar, bright. Putting mini-buckers in, probably SDs.

Any opinions?
 
Re: My Green machine related - amazing news! Best day of the last 2 months!

You know your way around this stuff. It didn't seem that way when you started this thread. Sorry if I underestimated your experience and/or knowledge, just trying to help. I always seem to end up doing something stupid like this.

I'm no expert in the choice of pots..so I'd hit the "middle" with 0.033uF caps.

Any comments (about anything so far...especially caps though) from others reading this thread?

Dave
 
Re: My Green machine related - amazing news! Best day of the last 2 months!

I don't know jack about installation, soldering (although I'm rapidly learning), but I did a lot of research when I had the electronics changed in my old Epi LP. I got a wiring kit from Bada Bing, best $60 I ever spent. An amazing transformation, really. But Epi electronics are garbage, so that's not hard to do.

But you really didn't offend me Dave! I've been asking stupid questions, I realize, and you see my electronics skills (the bad screwed to my pickguard :)). I really appreciate the help!

Btw, I don't think I'll do it, but 1 Meg pots really intrigue me. Apparently, they give you a much more 'open' tone, since they don't bleed the high frequencies much. Another btw, the local music store only has long shaft pots for the time being, so I don't know what I'm gonna do. Might get a kit from bada again.
 
Re: My Green machine related - amazing news! Best day of the last 2 months!

I'm sure that BadaBing will have all that you could ever need for this type of work. Also nice to get the FORUMBRO discount.

Dave
 
Re: My Green machine related - amazing news! Best day of the last 2 months!

What brand is your green guitar anyway? I like it.... :)
 
Re: My Green machine related - amazing news! Best day of the last 2 months!

Thanks Guitar Guy! It's a 1962 (Circa) Liberty guitar.Liberty was a Japanese company, nearest we can figure out. The tag inside the F-hole says
"Liberty Custom Guitar
Model MT-280"

Romantic name, huh? MT-280 has a ring to it. :)

Anyways, I've been trying to figure out what this company was, ad get an accurate date for the guitar, but nobody has known so far. The person I bought it from said he got it (or his dad got it I think) in 1962. So that's our best guess as to date. But there's a new company called 'Liberty Guitars' that makes resonators, which makes Google searches useless.
 
Re: My Green machine related - amazing news! Best day of the last 2 months!

you can't refinish it though... :D Sorry if I'm behind on this project, but you are going to leave it green, right? :laugh2:

those pickups are probably badass, you should keep
 
Re: My Green machine related - amazing news! Best day of the last 2 months!

Oh Dangles, the finish is the best part! Without that sick green, and the amazing woodgrain, this'd be another guitar. But with the amazing green and sick grain, it transcends the world of normal guitars, and almost becomes a God among guitars.

But serioiusly, if I ever touch the finish, or even think about refinishing it, kill me. I know my girlfriend will. I'm just changing everything else. The wood stays the same.

BTW, to anyone who cares, I ordered the pickup rings yesterday. Pure white mini-bucker rings. Custom made too. Not cheap, but absolutely worth it!
 
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