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Post subject: Electrics
Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 10:49 am
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Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2011 12:15 pm
Posts: 603
It doesn't look difficult but, how knowledgeable to you have to be to replace the pots and switch on a Japanese Thinline? I rescued one that was knocked around more than played for $100 (it's really pretty good for a 1997). It wasn't working and when I pulled the loaded pick guard I could see why...GOOD GOD! The pots and switch were replaced/butchered and the soldering job was beyond belief. If I refer to the Fender Forum downloads and order a rewire kit do you think I would come out OK, rather than taking it to the shop? I"m afraid it would cost more than what I want to put in the guitar, but I really don't know how much a job like this should cost.


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Post subject: Re: Electrics
Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 10:54 am
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Amateur
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Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2010 2:54 pm
Posts: 147
How are your soldering skills? Have a good set of tools for soldering?
Do you have a nice workspace?


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Post subject: Re: Electrics
Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 11:50 am
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Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2011 12:15 pm
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Yes, I could solder better then this when I was 10 and soldering my own slot car frames and electrics. I'm mainly concerned about improving the condition, rather than adding to it's problems. It can be a condition 7/8 guitar now with the dents I steamed out and and in the process of refinishing. I just want to have a nice guitar when I'm finished. I have 9 other Fenders and this will be my practice guitar that holds a special place because I didn't buy it in great condition, but was able to put it back in very nice shape. My others are mint and I seldom take them out of the case, just nice to look at more then play. In my hart, I guess I just feel more worthy of an inexpensive guitar.


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Post subject: Re: Electrics
Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 12:01 pm
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Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2010 2:54 pm
Posts: 147
Don't beat yourself up because you own something nice.
There is no test to own a nice guitar other than being able to pay for it.

Back to your original query - it is not hard.
There are many wiring diagrams (some easier to read than others); find one that suits your situation and have at it.
A tech will charge you a fair amount.


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Post subject: Re: Electrics
Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 9:20 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Fri Nov 09, 2007 6:25 pm
Posts: 693
Location: High on a Mountain Top
Brush up your soldering skills. Heck you might even practice on the old pots you might get it playing just by cleaning up the rats nest. And then install new pots and switch, do a little research on tone caps too


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Post subject: Re: Electrics
Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 7:21 am
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Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2011 12:15 pm
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Thanks guys, all good advise.


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Post subject: Re: Electrics
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 10:18 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Sun Jan 30, 2011 2:35 pm
Posts: 807
Location: Just East of Event Horizon
Go on eBay and buy the electronics for an American Standard Tele.
Then you only have to solder the pickup wires.


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Post subject: Re: Electrics
Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 7:08 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2011 12:15 pm
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I did buy a plate with the pots and switch from eBay for $20. I was able to do an excellent job soldering. For less than $150 I now have a very decent thinline. This was a fun, rewarding guitar project.


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Post subject: Re: Electrics
Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 8:58 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Sun Jan 30, 2011 2:35 pm
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Location: Just East of Event Horizon
Good deal!!
What type of pups did you use?


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Post subject: Re: Electrics
Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 1:43 pm
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Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2011 12:15 pm
Posts: 603
I bought a used plate and electrics off a MIM Tele. For what it is, the entire guitar was well worth the $130 I have in it. Sounds fantastic! The biggest problem was the body. Had to steam dents, sand, and sand. A few weeks work and Minwax wipe on poly, and it looks great from a foot away (maybe a 8/10). Now I need a mint Jaguar and a second mint Thinline. GAS!!


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