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elwoodblue
Senior Member
Username: elwoodblue

Post Number: 1837
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Sunday, February 28, 2016 - 8:55 pm:   Edit Post

I have some working pickups on the way for my '78 guitar. I'm excited!!

I have never heard it with a working series package.
There is still a lot of work ahead to get there, and I might send the card in for diagnosis.
I have 95% of the original parts,a DS-5,and cable.

I'm wondering if I have the skills to wire a series guitar from scratch.
I'm up for learning but I'd be happy to have the experts do it if that seems the best.
The pickups should be here in about a week.
edwardofhuncote
Senior Member
Username: edwardofhuncote

Post Number: 861
Registered: 6-2014
Posted on Sunday, February 28, 2016 - 9:00 pm:   Edit Post

Re-build Thread! (pretty-please) =)
elwoodblue
Senior Member
Username: elwoodblue

Post Number: 1838
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Sunday, February 28, 2016 - 9:22 pm:   Edit Post

I'm still on the fence about refinishing, it's pretty nice and dark now, but I like seeing the grain when I play. If I decide to do it...I know it'll go better with the input from everyone here.

Are there reasons to NOT refinish that would stop you (historical value,mojo,my finish wouldn't be as nice as a factory job,etc...)?
ed_zeppelin
Advanced Member
Username: ed_zeppelin

Post Number: 268
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Monday, February 29, 2016 - 8:07 am:   Edit Post

I hear good things about StewMac's "ColorTone" lacquer. I haven't used it, though.

Dan Erlewine's low-tech "spray booth" is very cool.
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 6368
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Monday, February 29, 2016 - 8:29 am:   Edit Post

I'm in the process of refinishing a neck-thru Strat type guitar using a product called "wudtone". Very simple and it seems to be working just as described, so far. I'm about 1/2 way through the process. Google it - very interesting new product.

Bill, tgo
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 2225
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, February 29, 2016 - 9:32 am:   Edit Post

I have rewired a Series instrument from scratch. It's not crazy hard, but there are some things to be aware of. Get in touch off board.
gtrguy
Senior Member
Username: gtrguy

Post Number: 1021
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Monday, February 29, 2016 - 10:22 am:   Edit Post

I made a plastic template from a sheet of plastic (Tap Plastics) that has the holes for the pots and outlet jack all laid out with the correct spacing that I used to get the wiring up and running before stuffing it all in there on a project I worked on (still not all the way done yet)..r
elwoodblue
Senior Member
Username: elwoodblue

Post Number: 1839
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, February 29, 2016 - 2:39 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks All,
It's gonna happen...this year! I'll email you Edwin for particulars.
Mounting the parts on a board will be good for this project too, especially as I ask for help.

I've yet to talk to anyone about how the mellow filter fits into the circuit. Anyone have pics of one wired in?

My last few projects I've been using Deft spray can lacquer with decent results, I'll read up on these other products.
edwardofhuncote
Senior Member
Username: edwardofhuncote

Post Number: 864
Registered: 6-2014
Posted on Monday, February 29, 2016 - 3:18 pm:   Edit Post

Deft clear gloss in a spray can is absolutely THE BEST stuff I've used. Ever. I'm using it right now on Dad's banjo project.
elwoodblue
Senior Member
Username: elwoodblue

Post Number: 1856
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Saturday, March 19, 2016 - 10:04 am:   Edit Post

The pickups arrived...one is new,the other is very lightly used.

DSC07830.JPG

I've decided to leave the original finish, and give the few problem areas some TLC.

Here's the electronics I have, mounted on a board.

DSC07831.JPG
DSC07833.JPG
DSC07832.JPG

Here's what I see I'm missing:
1) quick connect plug on humcanceller
2) switching 1/4" jack
3) rotary pickup selector switch
4) proper mounting screws for the PF6
5) pickup mounting screws and springs
6) resistors for q-switches (like on the broken switch below)
7) summing resistors
8) battery jacks

If you catch something I've missed,please chime in.
Here's the old broken switch and apparently an extra pot that came with the guitar.
DSC07826.JPG

DSC07828.JPG


I'll ask Mica for schematics...and maybe some help figuring out how the mellow filter is wired in.

I've found a couple shots of Series 1 cavities , but I could use some nice closeups for reference.
If you have some, can post a link to some, or are willing to take some pictures... I'd be grateful.

Thanks All
gtrguy
Senior Member
Username: gtrguy

Post Number: 1036
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Saturday, March 19, 2016 - 10:20 am:   Edit Post

Those original Molex pickup connecters are no longer available, I hear. I am looking for a set myself.

I have dozens of images of Series One guts on a CD somewhere.123
jimmyj
Senior Member
Username: jimmyj

Post Number: 638
Registered: 8-2008
Posted on Saturday, March 19, 2016 - 11:25 am:   Edit Post

Heck of a project! But it's not (quite) rocket science so I bet you could do it.

Two key components you will want to buy from Mica if possible are: a new rotary pickup selector switch (preferably pre-wired), a new raw ribbon cable (because you need to have the main connector which plugs into the board before you start wiring components to the other end).

Do your newly arrived pickups have the old style Molex connectors? What about the hum cancelling coil mounted in the guitar? If so you're good to go on that point. If not, Alembic used to have some adaptors but I think they were reversed - old pickups to new board connectors... Anyway, it looks like the blue input to your board was cut and the old connector is still there, not that that will do you any good...

If it were me I would certainly use the Alembic pots but probably start with new switches, resistors, 5-pin and 1/4" connectors. Those items are readily available and not terribly expensive. You could also add these items to your list for Mica and see if HQ can sell you the raw parts...

You can do it!!

Jimmy J
elwoodblue
Senior Member
Username: elwoodblue

Post Number: 1858
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Saturday, March 19, 2016 - 2:35 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks gtrguy and JimmyJ.
The pickups have the molex connectors, the humcanceller wire has been cut
(they are all mounted to the back of the board,the three leads poking through to the right of the mysterious black box are them).

I'll add the ribbon and connector to my list.
Good call on new switches, and the prewired selector too.
edwardofhuncote
Senior Member
Username: edwardofhuncote

Post Number: 890
Registered: 6-2014
Posted on Saturday, March 19, 2016 - 2:45 pm:   Edit Post

Wish we weren't so far apart Elwood... I would totally jump at a chance to help in the restoration of a classic like that. (or at least just get in the way!) =)
elwoodblue
Senior Member
Username: elwoodblue

Post Number: 1859
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Saturday, March 19, 2016 - 2:48 pm:   Edit Post

The blue input is good!
I was staring at it and after a little fiddling found the sleeve had just dropped a little.


Now it looks like the others :-) :-) :-)

elwoodblue
Senior Member
Username: elwoodblue

Post Number: 1860
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Saturday, March 19, 2016 - 2:57 pm:   Edit Post

Ed, I crave company like yours.
I'm smiling at just the idea...thanks!

(I have 30 other projects and a fence that needs whitewashing...I'm having fun, c'mon over!!)
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 2251
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Saturday, March 19, 2016 - 3:08 pm:   Edit Post

Jimmy is right about the new components. That's what I did and it worked out very well.

I have been thinking about redoing it with audiophool caps and resisters....
jimmyj
Senior Member
Username: jimmyj

Post Number: 639
Registered: 8-2008
Posted on Saturday, March 19, 2016 - 3:30 pm:   Edit Post

Oh alright, I see the pickup leads now in your 2nd photo.

And the blue connector at the board is good, that's excellent.

It's a shame that they cut the hum canceller wire, you'll need make a decision about that. It only needs to connect to the proper points on the board but soldering directly would severely impact serviceability so it's best to have an inline connector of some kind. And even if you found a male Molex plug I believe you'd need a special tool to terminate the wire with it...

You could splice a connector on if you found a lead from another old (maybe broken) Alembic pickup. That's one more thing you could ask Mica about - maybe they have a leftover lead with a male Molex that you could use for this purpose.

Good stuff!
Jimmy J
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 1886
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Saturday, March 19, 2016 - 3:57 pm:   Edit Post

I got a brand new SC-1 pickup with this old connector, maybe you can send it in and have them attach a new one?
elwoodblue
Senior Member
Username: elwoodblue

Post Number: 1861
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Saturday, March 19, 2016 - 4:18 pm:   Edit Post

That's a winning idea fc, I could send in the card for evaluation while I'm at it .
elwoodblue
Senior Member
Username: elwoodblue

Post Number: 1864
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 - 3:38 pm:   Edit Post

reposting a few pics that got ate:



elwoodblue
Senior Member
Username: elwoodblue

Post Number: 1866
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2016 - 5:34 am:   Edit Post

Mica,
If you see this, I sent you an email for parts and advice :-)

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