Inside the '85

[MatZen]

Took some pictures last night for the experts. There is what I perceive to be some peculiarities as well a coil tap switch (which works with the bridge pickup) that looks pretty off the mark. I know very little about all things Heritage so I will wait to hear from all of you. I had an opportunity to plug into a Cube 30 this morning for about 2 minutes to ensure everything works. The coil tap only turns down the volume about half way and gets muddy, engaged or disengaged. With both volume controls all the way down you still hear sound. On the positive side, the original Schaller pickups sound stellar. I heard everything from Tommy on Iron Man to Ted on Strangle Hold to Billy on Fool for your Stockings. The neck pickup is tonal bliss. I can’t wait to run it through one of my tube amps. There is a lot of crackle going on when the guitar moves but it does not seem to be at the jack. Wish I knew more about electronics but I have no idea what the heck I am looking at. That said the control cavity appears to be quite messy. There is a ground wire coming off a pot going to one of the screws for the cavity cover. Wires everywhere and some sloppy soldering. It looks like someone like me did it!

 

Both cavity covers have little felt pads attached. The control cover is shielded and covered half way with white paper. The original model sticker is attached to the selector switch cavity cover. There are hieroglyphics scratched into the control cavity which appear to say ELW 0440, FLW 0440, or PLW 0440.

 

Overall the guitar is in very good condition for 25 years old and although it has been played, it's not beat to hell. Hey, the good ones get played, right! Looks like I have my work cut out for me in getting the electronics back in order. I am thinking about sending it back home to have the boys bring her back to spec. Otherwise, this guitar is a great piece of Heritage history and will continue to serve with what I anticipate to be some fantastic tone. Comments and advice appreciated.

 

[barrymclark]

Sounds like the coil tap is a series/parallel maybe if it gets more muddy sounding when you change he switch position. But... if you are having electrical issues... then who knows. haha.

 

So the volume only partially works?

 

The crackling noise could be dirty pots, but if the volume pots are only partially working, you probably need new ones.

[smurph1]

Seems to me that sending it to the "Boys at Kzoo" is a great idea..they built it, and they can bring it back for you..As far as I know, my 85 is stock and has no push pull pots on it..But I guess you could probably special order it that way..but i can't imagine the factory doing such a sloppy wiring job..so you are probably right..someone who didn't know what they were doing tried to "jury rig" it..My 2 cents.. but whatever you do, Hang on that guitar!!

[barrymclark]

Seems to me that sending it to the "Boys at Kzoo" is a great idea..they built it, and they can bring it back for you..As far as I know, my 85 is stock and has no push pull pots on it..But I guess you could probably special order it that way..but i can't imagine the factory doing such a sloppy wiring job..so you are probably right..someone who didn't know what they were doing tried to "jury rig" it..My 2 cents.. but whatever you do, Hang on that guitar!!

Yeah. I would definitely see if the boys can restore it back to its former glory with regards to the electronics.

[slider313]

It looks like someone doesn't know how to use a soldering iron. A few burn spots tell you that story. You may have a bad connection on one of your grounds. If it's me, I get rid of the tap and put a standard 500K tone pot in.

[Spectrum13]

I'd get it re-wired 50s style at Parsons now they have CTS pots and a PIO caps and upgrade to a switchcraft toggle. I like nice silver wire connections.

[barrymclark]

I'd get it re-wired 50s style at Parsons now they have CTS pots and a PIO caps and upgrade to a switchcraft toggle. I like nice silver wire connections.

Love CTS pots and Switchcraft switches/jacks. Have used them for some time now on rebuilds. Great quality.

 

If I ever need to switch out pots, switches or jacks in the Heritage I will go this route.

[tulk1]

I think those pictures are awesome!! Nice, clean. Shows just what a mess someone made in there. The boys can put that right. Then, so could any competent repair shop. But, I'd think the boys would like to see and handle that guitar. My vote goes for sending it to K'zoo for restoration. (as if my vote counts )