tbonesullivan Posted July 18, 2012 Posted July 18, 2012 Tbone, you do your own fret levels and crowns? Ron Kirn has a thread on the tele forum with complete instructions, I've been tempted, one day I'm going to get the tools and practice on some cheap guitars. Lots of guys have gone that route and report great results. I've thought about it, but I definitely would need a bunch of cheap guitars to practice on. Also to do it right you need the proper neck jig setup or else the neck won't be completely flat, and you get bad results. I also lack that type of patience, and it can get messy, and is just a ton more involved that action relief and intonation stuff.
TalismanRich Posted July 18, 2012 Posted July 18, 2012 I picked up some Mojotone capacitors back in February, both Dijon (polypropylene/foil) and Vitamin T (polypropylene/foil in oil). Still in the bag, waiting for the day when I decide to rip the the guts out of the Mille LE. The jack has gotten sloppy and cuts out... got a replacement for that. I could check the pots to see what the actual values are and replace. That's for one of those Saturdays when I really don't have anything else to do, and have played so long that my fingers are sore. Now, do I change the tubes in the Patriot first, or change the caps in the Mille first... or maybe work on tweeking the setup on the 535???? At least I changed out the pickups in the 140 before I got to be such a procrastinator.
skydog52 Posted July 18, 2012 Posted July 18, 2012 I've used RS and Mojo kits. I've been happy with both. I have always had Heritage or Pete Moreno install them. Both companies are real helpful with deciding what to use and they are familiar with Heritage. Some day I'll try it. Hot solder on Nitro doesn't appeal to me!
Trouble Posted July 18, 2012 Posted July 18, 2012 if you haven't yet, learn how to do your own setups. Stewmac has all the measuring tools, wrenches and lubricants you'll need. But the most important tool is your own hand. Find an action and relief setting that YOU like. It might be different for each guitar. For "shredder" guitars I'm going to want a lower action than I want on my Semi-hollows. but also every neck is different, so a higher action might feel better on some necks. I do my own setups, I've done fret levels as well. Some stuff I would rather have a pro do though, it's rare that I really need a tech for a guitar, amps are another story though. My guitar tech also did any amp work I needed too. I guess I'm going to have to learn more about amps.
kidsmoke Posted July 30, 2012 Posted July 30, 2012 I made a decision on my mod. I went with Sheptones for a new p'ups, and Shep recommends Jonesyblues harnesses. Fretless made mention of them recently, and I contacted David Jones of jonesyblues. Super responsive and easy to work with. I decided to go that route. Here's my harness, waiting for the p'ups to arrive. CTS 500k 10% Pots, Vitamin Q .22 Paper in oil Caps (sheptone rec), cloth covered wiring, 50's wiring style, Switchcraft jack and switch, Aged Cream switch knob, and something jonesyblues does for their 335/535 harness, extra wire so that future p'up swaps don't require removal of the pots. That'd be the the extra length of red white and black cloth covered wire in the photo. Nice touch. Half the price of RS. I anticipate being happy with the results. We'll see. One critique - would have liked a longer lead on the jack. this will reach, but I don't know that I'll be able to run it around the perimeter of the f-hole, it may be visible.
NoNameBand Posted July 30, 2012 Posted July 30, 2012 RS installed my Sheptone Tribute pups and the complete wiring kit recommended by Shep including Jensen tone caps all for the price of the kit. No extra charge for the labor/installation for the pups or wiring kit. By the way, Shep highly recommended RS to me and says he works with all the time.
kidsmoke Posted July 30, 2012 Posted July 30, 2012 Hope I'm not conveying any disrespect to RS. I don't dispute their excellence. And yes, Shep definitely includes RS and Mojo both on his list of recommended suppliers. Shep specifically mentioned this guys (Jonesyblues) harnesses, and after some exploration, I chose to go that route. For what I needed at this time, this was a good choice for me. No doubt each of these companies has earned their reputation. I just know that, in order to get a old skool respecting, completed, ready to drop in harness to my door for a good price, Jonesyblues is/was a great option. I figure with all the guys here digging in to their guitars, it's worth sharing that info.
SouthpawGuy Posted July 30, 2012 Posted July 30, 2012 My 150 has a jonesy blues wiring harness and Pearly Gates and to be honest I prefer the stock pots etc with Schallers on the 157. Both are wired right handed on a lefty guitar. The sweep on the 157 just seems to suit me better. Just my 2c ...
Guest HRB853370 Posted July 30, 2012 Posted July 30, 2012 Mojotone, as a case in point will do the same. They will consult regarding special specs for the location of pots/switches/jacks. They offer a variety of popular caps for you to select from, and will consult with you to help you decide....all at no extra cost and they are 1/2 as much as RS...... (and they use CTS) "They" aren't Billy, and I don't doubt, based on recommendations and reputation (and success getting his brand out there) that he's exceptional. THIS, on the other hand, is a huge issue, I agree. Is it that hard for a shop to do that sort of due diligence on a kit? I'd assume that this is S.O.P. when dealing with the voltages and whatnot of an amp build, and therefore, S.O.P. on wiring harnesses. I'm way out of my league on this stuff though. I really don't know the first thing about the physics involved, I can only parrot info I've read about a hundred times. That's why I'm counting you yous guys! 1/2 the price of RS makes it worthwhile! Hope I'm not conveying any disrespect to RS. I don't dispute their excellence. And yes, Shep definitely includes RS and Mojo both on his list of recommended suppliers. Shep specifically mentioned this guys (Jonesyblues) harnesses, and after some exploration, I chose to go that route. For what I needed at this time, this was a good choice for me. No doubt each of these companies has earned their reputation. I just know that, in order to get a old skool respecting, completed, ready to drop in harness to my door for a good price, Jonesyblues is/was a great option. I figure with all the guys here digging in to their guitars, it's worth sharing that info. I second Mojotone. Located right in Burgaw NC, in the heart of Southeastern NC. I have their wiring harness in my cherry 535 which will be at PSP. They also do pickup rewinds (ask Geddy Lee). Everybody thinks RS is the industry standard, but as Kidsmoke pointed out, there are other fine options, sometimes for less coin.
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