Epiphone LP pickup installation. Rewire perhaps?

5ST4R · Post by **5ST4R** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 5:12 pm

So, I bought a new Epiphone LP Standard about 9 months ago and I'm just now getting around to replacing the bridge pickup. This morning I bought a BurstBucker Pro to throw in as the replacement.

I have replaced pickups in Epiphone LP's before but when I opened the electronics cavity on this one, WTF! HOLY RAT'S NEST BATMAN! Nothing vintage about this wiring scheme. Overly complicated and messy. The basic function, however, is the same.

Anyway I was able to determine that the stock pickups are 2 conducter, like the one I want to install and that it really is an easy swap. But I really want to rewire this thing to the good old vintage spec. and I don't have money for new parts, but... I do have 600v. 22g. wire for amps and I have an extra .022 SOZO cap sitting around.

Would this stuff be suitable for use in a guitar? Should I even consider doing the rewire or just throw it in and wait 'till I have right pieces to rewire? I've built amps and pedals but have never rewired a guitar.

Any and all opinions are welcome.

JimiJames · Post by **JimiJames** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 8:20 pm

A little knowledge goes a long way... and it's cheap !

You should be able to use what you have...

5ST4R · Post by **5ST4R** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 6:39 pm

Thanks. Yeah, I have that schematic. I was just wondering if the wire was overkill and if the SOZO cap was appropriate for the application.

I just ended up wiring in the pickup to the existing spaghetti dish. Good times.

But I will end up rewiring in a month or two so lets here some opinions about pots and caps. What are you guys digging for values in LP's and what brands? Are expensive oil caps and pots "designed for guitar" worth it, or just a bunch of inflated marketing bs.

JimiJames · Post by **JimiJames** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 6:54 pm

Well, based on this bullshit , I would go with RS Guitarworks caps or equivalent.
CTS pots 500k or 300K to your likings.
inexpensive upgrade, really...

5ST4R · Post by **5ST4R** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 9:20 pm

HAHAHA! I love it!

Doesn't surprise me though.

But concerning RS Guitarworks and their pots and caps, it seems that some think it's just an overpriced version of what you would normally use.

I'm curious as to whether you can really hear a difference.

I know when SOZO caps hit the scene, some were stoked and some were skeptical, but I tried them and found that once you get beyond the break-in period they were really awesome compared to what was available.

I like to read the RS marketing and think these parts will be awesome but can anyone really confirm this?

JimiJames · Post by **JimiJames** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 2:30 am

I don't blame them for so called over pricing their item.
I look at it as a prepackaged setup for either lazy, impatient, or not so knowledgeable people that are looking just to do an upgrade or a replacement of the fried stuff.
The people here are quite the opposite so a little friction is understandable.

I have first hand heard their caps. I would highly recommend them for a LP replacement/upgrade.
...and as to whether you can really hear a difference...YES
The Tone roll-off is the smoothest.

The Pots are CTS... you can get 'em anywhere...
Except for their "Super-Pot"
which is also a CTS.

SOZO's = Top Notch
I used them in my build.