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Post by asdaven on Nov 16, 2022 18:50:49 GMT
I have a CherryBurst SC-450 Plus Vintage Series I just recieved. I love it but am wondering about upgrading some of the cheaper components. The pickups I think sound great and better than expected.
But first off as far as electronics, want to change out the pots to 500K CTS and 500K Push Pulls, switch to Orange Drop caps of lower value, switch the Jack to a Switchcraft Jack, and switch the pickup selector switch to a Switchcraft.
My questions are and I know I need to drill the holes slightly bigger for full size pots. Does this take the tall shaft CTS pots like a normal Les Paul. Also what size Switchcraft Switch would be a replacement? The tall or short?
After this im gonna look at replacing the Tuners and Nut. Probably to Kluson or Grover and a Graphtech nut. Then as far as the bridge, are there any saddles that will retrofit into the current bridge?
Pickups would obviously be the most expensive thing but dunno if its needed. Changing these smaller things would make it sound even better. The stock capacitors are .047 it looks like. Id like to change those to .022. Or maybe .022 for the bridge and .015 for the neck. Humbuckers dont need high value capacitors. Or maybe do .033 and .022 since it coil splits.
Thanks-
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kz
Harley Benton Club Junior Member
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Post by kz on Nov 22, 2022 0:11:47 GMT
Hi, the SC-450 is a great guitar base for upgrade. The potentiometer holes are meant for smaller European pot. diameter. For the US made pots some enlargement is necessary - do not use drill, because it could easily chip the finish - use a reamer. If drill is still the option use the reverse rotation of the drill-bit and be careful - it at least helps to prevent a bit, for the drill-bit to quickly bite to the previous hole and make quite a mess. Since you have the guitar you can measure precisely - most pot. specs also show the diameter of the to part. The same could apply for the headstock. The holes could use some enlargement, depending on the type of new tuners (use reamer). For replacing the pressed in bushing - it needs to be tight to not to fall or be pushed out by the string tension. best method I saw to press them in is to use a screw with big head through the insert and the tuner hole. At bottom is ! quite a bit of protective padding (cork) to prevent any damage to the finish and the washer so you can tighten it an press the insert to the wood in the good angle and in controlled way... For tuners I have used these, but they still need to be fitted Kluson traditional single lineAbout a bridge - check my previous post: SC-450 Plus Bridge - on my guitar there was some non standard parts that makes the upgrade little bit more challenging. You can measure your guitar parts before buying the new hardware. There is always a chance that HB after some years moved to regularly sized hardware... The caps I have changed to 22nf. It is about preference, but with the 22nf the guitar is brighter. Since you are redoing the electronics you can test-wire in different caps and listen what is best for you... You can check more about my upgrades here. Good Luck with the project...
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Post by asdaven on Nov 25, 2022 12:44:42 GMT
Im actually going .015 uF on the Neck and .022 on the Bridge. My ears like single coils and I like brighter. Think this will be a good combination. Neck usually needs less rolloff than bridge.
Im going with the Gotoh Bridge with their Aluminum stop piece. Searched for a Aluminum bridge but Gotoh dosent appear to make one. Do you know if this is a Nashville Bridge or Abr-1? Im guessing its a Nashville. Im wondering if its possible to buy brass or aluminum or steel saddles for the Gotoh bridge? And aluminum or steel stud pieces and screws that would fit?
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