Replacing Pots on Yamaha SG

[Newbie-Doo]

I have a mid 80's Yamaha SG and my rythm volume pot has gone to guitar heaven. Normally not a big deal, but on this bad boy the two volume and two tone pots are attached to a circuit board! Here are my options:

1. Try to desolder the old pot from the circuit board and resolder a new one on there (look like a royal pain).
2. Try to find a replacement for the whole shebang (2 vol, 2 tone, 3 way switch attached to circuit board.
3. Start from scratch with a all new pots and 3 way switch.

Your advice is appreciated!

[Hard2Hear]

Question.

Why is there a circuit board? Is there a pre amp of something built in to it? Is the guitar set up just like a real SG otherwise? If so I'd recommend the "Gibson Upgraded" wiring from RSGuitarworks.com . They test the CTS Pots and give everything you need all in one kit, including a wiring diagram that's easy to follow. I have used that multiple times and really liked the results it gave me.

H2H

[Newbie-Doo]

That sounds like a good alternative. I don't know about the circuit board. The pots are WELDED right on there. I've got a yamaha bass and I think they used a circuit board there too. Neither uses active pickups. They both sound great though, so maybe there is something to it.

[Hard2Hear]

Maybe it was just a cost effective way for them to put electronics in. If it's otherwise just like a Gibson SG, you will find the RS kit sounds great. If you need help, lemme know. I've wired a couple Gib SGs with that kit.


H2H

[ibanezrocks]

You shouldn't need a kit unless I'm horribly wrong about the wiring in an SG. You could just take out the pcb and replace it with the standard 4 pots, with the 2 capacitors for the tone knobs. And just look at what else is on the board to see if theres anything extra. It really shouldnt be that hard at all, and 4 pots and a couple capacitors shouldn't cost you more than a couple of dollars at the most.

[Hard2Hear]

The "Kit" Is tested components, pots caps etc, put together for each guitar type. If you spend a "couple dollars" on all this stuff it will sound like shit. Good CTS pots are about $4-5 each. Caps can be from $1 to $30 depending on how good you want them to be.

Of course you could buy the cheap crap they put in import guitars. It's your call. I refuse to do that with my guitars.

H2H

[ibanezrocks]

He's playing a Yamaha from the 80's, last time I checked those aren't high end guitars. A pot will not make a difference as far as I know on something thats cheap anyways.

[Hard2Hear]

Well Carlos Santana happened to play one of those Yamaha SG's, so it's not as cheap as an Ibanez or anything. Pots will have a big affect if you're a player who actually uses the volume and tone controls on your guitar. I generally replace the pots on any guitar that does not have top quality to begin with because I can't stand the feel of cheap pots on a guitar. I have done the upgrade to several Epis as well as a few Gibsons. Since he's concerned enough about it to be doing the work in the first place, you must assume he wants advice that is helpful and correct.

Newbie-doo. If you want diagrams, I have several for SG's including pictures of control layouts of original early 60's SG's. I also encourage you to check out everythingsg.com , who welcome all kinds of SG's, Gibson or not.

H2H

[Newbie-Doo]

Thanks for all of the advice.

The guitar was cheap pricewise. I bought it used 6 or 7 years ago and only paid $250 for it with a nice gigbag. This guitar sounds and plays great. Very solid, weightwise somewhere in between a Les Paul and a Gibson SG. I have tried out many new and used Gibson SGs and they don't seem to have as much "meat on the bones" as my Yamaha.

The pickups are hot which works out great for me because I like that bright british slightly overdriven tone. I go straight from my SG to my tube amp and it gets a very nice jangle, shimmer and punch when you nail a power chord.

My concern with replacing the board is that I might lose some of these qualities I like so much about this guitar. It doesn't have that muddy sound you find in lots of humbucker guitars. I noticed the pots said 500k on them so I'll definitely buy 500k replacements.

Thanks again.