So on the red planet if I were going to put together a shopping list for wiring the knobs and switches for a Strat,would this pass muster? :

- Switchcraft 1/4" female mono jack
- CTS 250k audio taper pot X 3
- .022uf Capacitor (what brand? do I need to know anything more than how many microfarads?)
- 5 way blade switch 5 position 4 pole ( do I look for a fender part, or switchcraft?)
-then what would you say for wire, I would guess some black and some white 22 gauge unshielded wire for wiring between the switch and the knobs, and it looks like shielded wire to the output jack?

Any suggestions on brand or specs would be appreciated. I have some Texas Special pickups and a Vintage-style hardtail bridge-with the ferrules(no idea on brand,) and some other parts that have been occupying my parts drawer for a long time,so they want to get used in a partscaster. My Strat has the TBX control scheme. While I love it, I think if I make this project guitar I want to go for more of a traditional late 50's/ early 60's wiring scheme.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

Alright!! Getting ready to build 12B? Hope so. Sorry I can't help with anything technical my friend!!

I am doing prep work for a couple things right now. I will be starting a couple threads soon. This one is in the planning stages, I have pickups/bridge/tuners/pickguard/knobs and even a spare switch tip, pretty much 3/4 of the hardware I need.Just short the pots switch and wiring above.

I know Martian and CVilliera can point me in the right direction for top quality parts (and maybe even wiring diagram ideas!)

I have all the painting supplies I need to do what I want. But I am going to be sacrificing a bunch of scrap lumber, I think. i have a sweet plan for the finish, but since Ceri has set the bar so darn high on work, I gotsta practice. I will be mixing my lacquers, no prefab colours,)

I think CV(particularly,) will like what I have planned for the neck.


I don't have room or access to all the tools I need to do a full on scratch build, but I am going to order a body and neck( have em picked out, I think.). I have a couple things in mind for this, hopefully I can do something Ceri hasn't already done better!

With any luck i can finish the stuff I have in the chute and finally get around to finishing the LP project that Orvilleowner has been waiting for.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

Hey....when Martian get's around to answering this one, I'd be curious to know what he thinks about those "orange drop" caps I've been seeing so much hype about.

I can't really say too much about the other parts myself...I tend to use whatever I have in my "junk box" at the time but I will say that you can't really beat Switchcraft jacks. For my money, they'z about the best here is.

Anyways, as long as you were flagging Martian anyways, I was going to ask him about the caps thing myself so it seemed like good timing.

Peace,
Jim

Looks like you know what you need. For the five way just get a CRL 5way and if you want vintage go with the pre tinned cloth wire. More modern sounding use I go .022 cap and vintage .047 Orange drops are nice and I get many wanting them used but spend the money and get Vitamin Q oil & paper cap for either .022 or .047 400V

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

I'm glad you asked this...I need to replace some pots on an AS Strat that I reworked years ago,the darn things work well but are stiff and the posts are too tall so the knobs sit about a 1/4 inch above the pickguard...it bugs me.I was planning on getting the CTS pots.
I put orange drop .047 Spragues in my Strats and when you bottom out the tone it silences about 2 on the knob.Sounds good though.
Earth calling Martian...

- Switchcraft 1/4" female mono jack:
- Yes.

- CTS 250k audio taper pot X 3:
- Yes.

- 5 way blade switch 5 position 4 pole ( do I look for a fender part, or switchcraft?):
- Switchcraft doesn't make one. Fender or CRL brand is fine.

-... black and some white 22 gauge unshielded wire for wiring between the switch and the knobs, and it looks like shielded wire to the output jack?:
- Yes. However, it is not necessary to have a shielded wire to the jack. As to brand, you might as well stick with Fender.

I have no use for the TBXs so I readily agree, go for more of a traditional late 50's/ early 60's wiring scheme.

- .022uf Capacitor (what brand? do I need to know anything more than how many microfarads?).
- Of itself in a guitar's circuit, high-end "boutique" capacitors have little affect on the tone in comparison to say, a ceramic disk or something like this, especially through a solid state amp and lots of foot pedals. The voltage rating is virtually irrelevant but the build quality of even a 'generic' capacitor is often determined by said voltage rating. So, I'd go with a minimum of a 200V rating for what I'd consider something I'd be confident with in terms of construction and performance.

The difference between 'generic' and 'boutique' caps can be quite profound however when interfacing with a tube amp as the quality of a superior capacitor in a guitar will come into play as part of the overall circuit. Meaning, the guitar and amp as one in terms of 'harmonious' functionality. Notwithstanding, there is also an overkill aspect when you start putting caps in a guitar designed chiefly for an amp where certain attributes just don't make a difference as these were designed for elevated voltages (typically NOT found in a guitar) and arguably, have a uniqueness in their specific tonality within the amp. So in a direct answer to your question, quality, price and availability wise, the so called, "Orange Drops" seem to be most adequate in terms of price, availability and functionality especially in Fender types for my overall purposes. To give a balanced presentation though, others like "Bumble Bees", oil filled, etc. are all more than adequate as a universal and superior choice. Some claim they can clearly hear the differences among each 'species' but again, the line has to be drawn somewhere especially in terms of price and even among all these different species, a tweak of the amp for those who can hear the differences will easily mimic another species.

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You dig?

Thanks Martian.

Now that I have advice from Martian and CV it's time to go shopping.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

Glad to help and good luck with your project!

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You dig?

I am a big fan of Mallory 150 series capacitors.

Here is an excellent source for them:

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/elec ... allory.htm

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Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.