Strat hardware refitting...

[B2D]

I'm planning on what to do for my MIM powerhouse that I just aquired recently...

1) Of course I'm gonna get locking tuners, no doubt about it. I've always used Sperzels... are Schallers (or any other make) any better? I'd like to get black ones just to throw an interesting look in there. Gotoh makes a locking Kluson type that will apparently drop right in.

2) The V and T pots (the third tone knob is actually a global midboost so the tone is a master) are a bit crackly and the tone control feels like it might be a no-load type! Will there be any problems if I replace these with regular volume and tone pots?

3) I'd like to leave the neck and mid pickups stock (albeit a change to black covers) and put a Hot Rails bridge in the bridge slot. This guitar has an active +12dB mid boost built into it, as well as a dummy coil to cancel out the noise of the singles. is there anything special I need to know to rewire the guitar correctly? I don't wanna create a double-negative with the HotRails and the dummy pickup. If Push comes to shove I'll just buy/make a new pickguard assembly with new pickups and sell the old one off. Or maybe with that HR in there I can just disconnect the dummy coil... although assembling the new guard I'm trying to decide between a HRb/single/HRn setup or just an HRb and then wait for two of those new Duncan Noiseless Singles that are supposed to come out this summer... anyway what are the hazards/cautions of working with that boost and dummy coil?

Please advise, Thanks.

Btw here's a pic of the guitar in question:

 

[theodie]

Re: Strat hardware refitting...

I used to have a powerhouse and the wiring is nothing that complicated. If you are going to use the hot rails in the bridge, I would not use the dummy coil in the mix. You could possibly wire it so it would work to cancel noise for the other two singles. It shouldnt be too hard. I think the mid boost should be fine with the hot rail.

 

[B2D]

Re: Strat hardware refitting...

If you are going to use the hot rails in the bridge, I would not use the dummy coil in the mix. You could possibly wire it so it would work to cancel noise for the other two singles. It shouldnt be too hard. I think the mid boost should be fine with the hot rail.

I was thinking about wiring the dummy coil that way as well. I'll have to do my homework before doing so, however.

About the midboost coupled up with the HR... the HR is a VERY high output pickup and has plenty of mids so I wonder what it'll do to a nice tube amp! :burnout:

 

[rspst14]

Re: Strat hardware refitting...

Schallers and Sperzels are both nice, but I prefer the Schallers because they have a better gear ratio, and like the Sperzels they make a six inline set that is staggered in height to eliminate the need for string trees. I'm not familiar with the dummy coil system you mention, but I'm sure there's a way to wire it so that it only works with the stock pickups. Maybe you could wire it to be activated with a push/pull pot. Unless you're set on a Hot Rails, you might think about waiting until the new Duncan noiseless pickups are out.

Ryan

 

[B2D]

Re: Strat hardware refitting...

To replace the pots either match the ohms rating,but first spray them out with tuner cleaner,not contact cleaner.
If the pots are still scratchy then replace them.

Thanks for the advice, John. I actually installed my first set of sperzels myself and got it right on the first try!

I have Caig Progold G5 contact cleaner (which I usually use to clean my pots occasionally and I've never had a problem) but I've never heard of tuner cleaner... what is that?

 

[beandip]

Re: Strat hardware refitting...

from my own experience, I'd leave the two single coil covers on, with a black hotrails in the bridge, I think it has a more "hot rodded" look, and I prefer it to all three black.

 

[B2D]

Re: Strat hardware refitting...

Tuner cleaner will blast out all of the dirt and leave a fine silicone bead on the trace.So the wiper can do it's thing without destrying the pot.Contact cleaner just blows out the dirt and leaves metal on trace .This can cause rips in the trace.If you have been using this it could be that the trace is already damaged and the pot needs to be replaced.

Alright lemme ask you this...

I've been using this to clean my pots ever since I started playing:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/429165/

Is that the right stuff to use or not? I've never had a problem with it wearing down pots. My #1 is about 7 years old and still has the original pots in it and sees this stuff in the pots every few months or so. If it's not the right stuff can you recommend what to use?