How do you remove the epoxy to get to the inner workings?
No, I was told that the neck pickup was "shorted out" but plugged the guitar up a few minutes ago and it sounds fine. However, the "guitar technician" also told me that the second set of wires/leads coming out of the problem/neck pickup had become so short over time that he couldn't splice anymore line/wire on it to run it to the tap switch, and that the only way to correct the problem was to open the pickup. However, with the epoxy in place, he couldn't reach it. I personally haven't looked at whether the wire is "too short" myself but I'm beginning to suspect that maybe the tech wasn't the tech I thought he was because obviously the pickup "isn't dead" at all.
However, removing the "internal organs" of a 335 through the f-holes is enough to bring a grown man to his knees...actually, getting them out aren't so bad, it's putting them back in is the challenge. If any of you know tricks or special tools to make the process easier, please feel free to share them.
When I was working on arch top or hollowbdies like the 335, I was using small string tied up to each part and the other end tied to a small nut or some type of small weight. So when I had it opened up there would be strings sticking out all over. It is an art, especially when working with delicate, expensive, hand carved tap tuned, arch tops, cause getting the pisces back with the strings is easy, but getting the pots to slip in without marring the wood on the underside takes good hands and patience. Mind you not very common to find those with mounted PUs, but certainly there are some even L5, Artist Award,
I know what a 335 is and said arch top or hollow bodies, no?A 335 is not a " delicate, expensive, hand carved tap tuned, arch tops,"... working on then is not an art....
like muttley said getting them hot helps.If any of you know tricks or special tools to make the process easier, please feel free to share them.
When I work on those I start out by making myself very, very small....Bop Stop Studio said:When I was working on arch top or hollowbdies like the 335, I was using small string tied up to each part and the other end tied to a small nut or some type of small weight. So when I had it opened up there would be strings sticking out all over. It is an art, especially when working with delicate, expensive, hand carved tap tuned, arch tops, cause getting the pisces back with the strings is easy, but getting the pots to slip in without marring the wood on the underside takes good hands and patience. Mind you not very common to find those with mounted PUs, but certainly there are some even L5, Artist Award,
...............
When I work on those I start out by making myself very, very small....
I know what a 335 is and said arch top or hollow bodies, no?
saying it is same approach.
No, I was told that the neck pickup was "shorted out" but plugged the guitar up a few minutes ago and it sounds fine. However, the "guitar technician" also told me that the second set of wires/leads coming out of the problem/neck pickup had become so short over time that he couldn't splice anymore line/wire on it to run it to the tap switch, and that the only way to correct the problem was to open the pickup. However, with the epoxy in place, he couldn't reach it. I personally haven't looked at whether the wire is "too short" myself but I'm beginning to suspect that maybe the tech wasn't the tech I thought he was because obviously the pickup "isn't dead" at all.
However, removing the "internal organs" of a 335 through the f-holes is enough to bring a grown man to his knees...actually, getting them out aren't so bad, it's putting them back in is the challenge. If any of you know tricks or special tools to make the process easier, please feel free to share them.
There appears to be some sort of language barrier here so I will say again...
A 335 is not a " delicate, expensive, hand carved tap tuned, arch tops,"... working on then is not an art....
To add. A 335 Is a ply topped laminate construction. No tap tuning.... No hand carved top.... Not an art or even for the most part a science. I can post pictures and details if you wish to know the difference.
Yeah seems a language barrier for sure! as I was saying, I know 335 is not a carved top, I have owned them, but thanks for the info. I was again, saying the approach is the same. As for "art" was being facetious, but simply saying it can be a pan in the A$$.
Pics are not necessary, my friend. Had more than my share of "arch tops" and yes, 335 and 335 style guitars! but thanX
Alright, guys....thanks for all your help. I get the feeling that the pickup isn't beyond hope because as I mentioned it works when I plugged it up yesterday - just not in the single coil position but I believe that it probably isn't even connected despite what I've been told. This was a luthier recommended to me but his skills did not translate into doing what I needed him to do....so...
And yes, I asked these same questions over at the Gibson forum and generally received the same answer - find a skilled luthier. I did contract Lindy Fralin (the company, not the man) in the Richmond area and they said they don't work on epoxied humbuckers and said they didn't know anyone who did. I did contact two other luthiers online and were simply told they didn't work on epoxied pickups and didn't "think" they could be repaired.
So let this be a lesson to all....