I've had enough... I'm doing it myself!

[Chris_G]

Since ordering my BKP Mules I also purchased some new pots and a switch for my axis. I had to have a look inside to see how long the pot shafts were and noticed that the wiring job, done by a place in London (won't name names), is possibly the most messy thing I've ever seen! Wires left exposed, burn marks etc. Couldn't believe it!  :x

So as a result I've now decided I'm going to bodge my way to being my own guitar tech...

Anyone got any tips on re-wiring? I figured I'd make a diagram of the current wiring and fit the mules the same way, though I am toying with the idea of just wiring them with a 3-way with the middle selecting the two outer coils in parallel. That's the only option I use on my 5-way apart from series bridge/neck. Is this complicated to do?

[ToneMonkey]

Make sure you protect your guitar.  Solder makes a mess of finishes.

Have a look over at Guitar Nuts and Guitar Electronics sites.

[TwilightOdyssey]

the wiring job, done by a place in London (won't name names), is possibly the most messy thing I've ever seen! Wires left exposed, burn marks etc. Couldn't believe it!  :x

Please name names! Otherwise others may fall prey to the same shamfoolery.

[MDV]

Seconded.

Theres no need to protect bad work. If they dont deserve business they shouldnt get it.

[Chris_G]

Ok, the place in question is Andy's on Denmark Street. I've had two dealings with them - once to buy a 4x12 and once for a setup on my guitar to fit new pickups etc.

The first was mostly my fault due to ignorance - I bought a Laney VH100R and at the time had no idea of speaker power handling on valve amps. The cab was 120W and the head was 100watts. I was told it'd be fine but, of course, as soon as I cranked it the thing blew. I tried to get help from them but they insisted it was a power surge caused by my amp. I bought it online and the guy said I was an idiot for doing so - end my dealings with them for gear. Incidentally, the amp was fine as confirmed by the amp tech upstairs.

The second was for the setup and although the guy was very friendly and accommodating, I just don't see how a company with their reputation can justify doing a less than perfect job.

I'm not saying they're always like this but I have had two bad experiences with them which has turned me off them for now.

I'm not trying to give them a bad name - the guy who fixes amps upstairs is great and I've had many chats with him about gear and possible mods to my amps. Honestly I just think they're a bit of an elitest place with nothing to back it up in the way of customer service and pride in their work.

[Mr Ed]

Denmark Street is way over-rated, too much ego floating around that little street.

[gwEm]

yeah, i'll never shop in andy's again after a problem i had too.

[Philly Q]

Andy's doesn't exist any more, so problem solved!  Or have they moved?

[hunter]

I've always done wiring myself, and my guitars always look really messy - who cares as long as it sounds good?

But agree, a paid job should be tidy and clean, there is no excuse.

[Philly Q]

I've always done wiring myself, and my guitars always look really messy - who cares as long as it sounds good?

I do, I can be a bit of a neatness freak.  About some things, anyway.

I don't even like to use old pots, because they look messy from removing the old solder!  :roll:  :oops:

[Chris_G]

Yep, and to be honest if I do something like this myself I'm pretty sure it won't be up to pro standard but as hunter said, when you're paying someone who claims to be a professional you expect a professional job.

I didn't know they'd shut down - it was last year sometime I got the job done. Seems odd considering the amount of guitars they had priced over £8,000

Pickups should be arriving soon so I'll report on how I got on and if it isn't too embarrassing I'll post some photos - of course, I'll get some snaps done of the PUPs in the guitar as well!

[MrBump]

I completely rewired my Charvel ST, Nailbombs, new pots, new Schaller megaswitch.

It wasn't difficult at all, and I'm a complete numpty.

Take your time, set your environment up properly (solder station etc), get your kids out of the way.  Also this may be sacreligous, but the Seymour Duncan site has some pretty useful wiring diagrams.

Good luck, but you won't need it.

[Philly Q]

Also this may be sacreligous, but the Seymour Duncan site has some pretty useful wiring diagrams.

Totally agree, I like diagrams which actually look like the parts they represent, after all these years I still can't understand schematics.  I always use the Duncan diagrams, even though I don't often buy their pickups.

[Chris_G]

Speaking of diagrams, it seems the wire colours for BKPs are different from other manufacturers (not uncommon, mind).

I think it'd be great if there were wiring diagrams for these pickups, perhaps with suggestions of which pickups suit certain switching options - a lot of people seem to ask which pickups are best for coil splitting, etc. Could be a good feature for the new website along with the 5-band EQ - would definitely make it more comprehensive than some other pickup builder's sites...

[Philly Q]

Speaking of diagrams, it seems the wire colours for BKPs are different from other manufacturers (not uncommon, mind).

Everybody has their own colour scheme - Duncan is different from DiMarzio is different from Gibson is different from BKP.  But Duncan (them again!) have a diagram showing lots of different brands' colour schemes.  BKP is the same as Peavey, it so happens.  :)

http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=color_codes