The pickup selector in my Epiphone Riviera has started to go, so I'm thinking that since some of the Epiphone range has a reputation for having shoddy electronics, it's better to bite the bullet and replace the whole lot while I can. The previous owner fitted it with Seymour Duncan P90s but I'm assuming that he hasn't changed any of the wiring.
I realised that I know absolutely nothing about guitar electronics or what makes some better suited to one guitar compared to another. What sort of pots should I be looking at using, and where would people recommend getting them from? (in addition to a new pickup selector)
Comments
Allparts sell the parts, although there are some complications - the switch to get is a Switchcraft (don't both with anything else) which will be fine, but the pots you should get are CTS, which have a US-size (3/8") bushing as opposed to the far-east size (8mm) bushing of the stock pots, so you will need to ream out the holes slightly. It's best to use a Switchcraft jack too (long thread) which will also probably need reaming very slightly.
You're also probably best replacing the wiring with cloth-insulated, braided-shielded cable - it's the vintage-correct type (not that it matters) but more importantly enables you to build a proper wiring loom which makes it easier to get everything back in, and is immune from heat damage when soldering, unlike the plastic stuff.
Make the wiring loom by taking an impression of the control area of the guitar on a piece of thin cardboard, cut holes for the pots and jack, and assemble it all on the cardboard off the guitar. You also may need some insulating sleeving to avoid accidental contacts between the cable and the pot/switch terminals.
Good luck! If that sounds too daunting, it's not unwise or a cop-out to take it to someone who has done them before...
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson
On the other hand, doesn't it seem odd that a professional repairer would go to the trouble of fishing the wiring harness out of the F hole in order to perform the soldering work on the pickups and NOT take that opportunity to upgrade the pots?
It depends if it was done the 'proper' way or in the pickup cavities too...
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson
Would it make a difference whether to use 250k or 500k pots with P90s? I've absolutely no knowledge of either what's already in the guitar or which is more suitable.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson
Any idea what (physical) size pots/switch/jack I need?
Also, is it really £25 for a switchcraft switch? Ouch.
Six String Supplies (good for electronics, wiring kits, harnesses etc...)
North West Guitar Parts (i think do free shipping) and do nearly everything.
True - value is in prewired kits - though it seems the OP is only looking at replacing the switch.
The above companies do prewired kits too. Great value.
I do them prewired with gavitt braided wire, the deep nut, jack and choice of tip included.
http://www.amberguitar.com/home/104-prewired-switchcraft-long-toggle-switch.html
Keep forgetting to add the switches on their own, because I'm lazy. Soon though!