Pup replacement in archtop (ntc)

[Kurt]

I've replace pups in Teles and Strats with good success. Any pointers, dos/donts on replacing pups in ES-333 (or similar archtop). I tried post on Gibson page with no response, figured the most knowledeable folks are TDPRI. Tx in advance

[Roel from Holland]

Hmm...no replies so far. I would like to know that as well.

[Bob Mc]

I've seen (and done on a few beaters) splices; 'nother words the original leads to the switch and pots is in tact and the new PUPs are soldered to the old wire. NOT THE BEST METHOD FOR A NICE NEW GIBSON (I had to scream that before I got flamed!), but it could be done.

[mk]

Yup, cutting the existing wires and splicing the new ones in is pretty tacky. The better method is to loosen the pots, pull them through the pickup holes, and rebuild the harness on the outside. The trick is to tie strings onto the pots before you pull them through, so you can put the whole thing back together without being driven to violence and mayhem.

[guitar_paul1]

Good advice. Also, you can use a length of surgical tubing over the pot handles to pull them back thru the holes.
One thing I found out the hard way is that pickup rings can vary slightly, so make sure the holes line up. If they dont, make sure you predrill new screw holes. I cracked the urethane finish around on one of my cheapies by not drilling new holes. And also there is now a line in the finish from the old pickup surrounds being slightly larger.
Eek.

[TwinReverb]

I have used the same mirror my dentist uses for looking at my teeth. Very handy for having a looksy inside. I have even used dental floss to retrieve the pup switch etc. The operation of removing pots or a switch from a (Semi-)Hollow guitar can sometimes be just as painstaking as a visit to the dentist. I haven't used a drill yet though.... .

[gottliver]

which makes it very easy to swap pups. Its the same as any 2hum/2vol/2tone git. My es333 is quickly becoming my #1! Haven't picked up a tele in weeks!