Replacing pickups in an 80s Gibson

[Mincer]

So, I am considering installing a set of Antiquity pickups in my 1980 Howard Roberts Fusion. There is quite a bit of oxidation in the jack and switch, too. Deoxit is working for now, but I might just replace it. Now, I am not sure (anyone know?), but I think these things came with 300k volume pots, too, which I would want to swap out for 500k for the new pickups. So...just rewire the whole thing (while keeping the old parts)?
Of course it all has to be done through the F holes, which is not so fun. It has been quite awhile since I have had to do that.

 

[Wattage]

Be brave young Jedi lol

Get that thing up to speed for you and don't look back. Patience is key when working thru the F-holes but it'll be worth it in the long run

 

[NegativeEase]

So, I am considering installing a set of Antiquity pickups in my 1980 Howard Roberts Fusion. There is quite a bit of oxidation in the jack and switch, too. Deoxit is working for now, but I might just replace it. Now, I am not sure (anyone know?), but I think these things came with 300k volume pots, too, which I would want to swap out for 500k for the new pickups. So...just rewire the whole thing (while keeping the old parts)?
Of course it all has to be done through the F holes, which is not so fun. It has been quite awhile since I have had to do that.

On a new pickup switch out of an 80s guitar with some oxidation in the pots, I would definitely take the time to change it all out -otherwise you won't have the confidence gigging knowing the Deoxit work you have been required in the past...

 

[Chris Pile]

No, it does NOT have to be done through the F-holes. It's done through the PICKUP HOLES. And yes - put new pots and a Switchcraft jack in it.

 

[jeremy]

yep, id swap everything out and keep the old stuff aside. new 500k pots, new jack, new switch... if youre going to do it, do it all once and be done with it.

 

[Liam1963]

Replace everything, maximize the most out of all the new components.

 

[Mincer]

No, it does NOT have to be done through the F-holes. It's done through the PICKUP HOLES. And yes - put new pots and a Switchcraft jack in it.

Really? I hadn't had the pickups out yet, so I didn't see how big the holes are. It does have a maple center block.

 

[Adieu]

So, I am considering installing a set of Antiquity pickups in my 1980 Howard Roberts Fusion. There is quite a bit of oxidation in the jack and switch, too. Deoxit is working for now, but I might just replace it. Now, I am not sure (anyone know?), but I think these things came with 300k volume pots, too, which I would want to swap out for 500k for the new pickups. So...just rewire the whole thing (while keeping the old parts)?
Of course it all has to be done through the F holes, which is not so fun. It has been quite awhile since I have had to do that.

Just wire through the pickup cavities if you can salvage the pots

Not in the sense that the holes are bigger, but in the sense clip the leads in the cavity lay down some heavy tinfoil over a rag to protect finish and solder there

You can also do the same with new pots i guess, solder leads to them and mate them to the pickups in the pickup cavity... although that's still a lot harder.

 

[ehdwuld]

when you do it
you can add something like the Kwik plugs at GFS
https://www.guitarfetish.com/Kwikpl...NY-Pickup-to-the-Kwikplug-System_p_24132.html

they would allow you to swap pickups without rewiring the whole thing
get one pair of four wire plugs for the harness side and several of the pickup side mounts and wire those out

then while rolling thru pickups, just move the pickup side to the new set

 

[Chris Pile]

Kwik plugs are for dolts who change pickups all the time because they don't know what good sound is.

Do it right, or not at all - Dave.

 

[ehdwuld]

Kwik plugs are for dolts who change pickups all the time because they don't know what good sound is.

Do it right, or not at all - Dave.

Gibson uses molex plugs in all theirs

he obviously doesnt look forward to doing it thru the holes
this is a solution for that
not everyone does this for a living

or likes doing it

 

[Chris Pile]

Gibson uses molex plugs in all theirs

All of them since Orville was in charge?

We are talking a 40 year old guitar

 

[ehdwuld]

wheres that radio button for reporting abusive posts

 

[NegativeEase]

Kwik plugs are for dolts who change pickups all the time because they don't know what good sound is.

Do it right, or not at all - Dave.

You heard him Dave, make sure to steel wool the f*ck out of the guitar too

It is the only way.

 

[Chris Pile]

Funny guy, you are.

 

[Chris Pile]

wheres that radio button for reporting abusive posts

I'm still waiting for the "ignore" button to start working again.

 

[chadd]

Put aquarium air hose over the top of the pots before you pull them down and through. Then when you wire up the new pots, you can switch the hose to them and pull them right back to the correct hole in the body. Some people use string, I never had good luck with that. The biggest pain in the ass for me was the output jack. I plugged a cable in, but it snagged inside and got unplugged.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

I bet Antiquities and 500K pots would do well in that guitar.

 

[Mincer]

Well I intended to wire it correctly. I've done wiring jobs through pickup cavities and F holes before, but it has been awhile. I know I can do it, but I am not looking forward to it. One thing I haven't done in awhile is buy a Gibson 3 way switch. Any one of them better than other ones?

 

[Aceman]

This is what I pay Ben Chafin for....