Archtop potentiometer replacement technique advice?

Lance · May 27th, 2003, 09:01 AM

I've got a broken push-push (coil split) tone pot on my Yamaha archtop. In another thread I found the source for a replacement. The only thing I'm wondering is "HOW"!

Is there an easy luthier technique/trick to replacing the pots in an archtop? The f-holes are too narrow so my guess is that the operation will take place through the pickup holes. Anyone know this trick?

I've also got to get it out first to see what the value is before ordering a new one.

Here's the link to the pot by the way:
http://guitarjones.net/php/freeshop/...id=379&ac_id2=

telepaw · May 27th, 2003, 09:22 AM

Get a length of string or thin wire a few feet long. Remove the knob and tie the string or wire securely around the pot's shaft. Then, remove the nut and washer, being careful not to loosen the string. Remove the pickup and carefully pull the pot out--the string should come with it. Untie the old pot, replace with the new one, retie the string and pull it back through the hole in the body for the pot using the length of string protruding through this hole. Just do it slowly and carefully--you don't want to inadvertently unfasten the string. When the pot comes through, fish the washer and nut over the string onto the shaft and tighten.

I hope these instructions are clear enough, but this process should seem obvioius once you start to do it. If you have any further questions, shout.

Bob Mc · May 27th, 2003, 09:27 AM

Lance
Check that you're replacement pot has the same 'neck' size. Imports sometimes have mini and near mini pots that don't require the same opening as a CTS (US made pot).
Ream the hole carefully if needed.
Make absolutely sure you use the same lead length (you may just be reusing the old ones.) Once the harness is in that body, it's no time to find out the leads are too short.
Try to leave the wiper opening facing the fhole for spraying out. If you have to remove the entire harness, I seat the pot furthest away from the f holes first. I have a pencil sized magnet that I stick thru the pot hole, and once I have it aligned, I use forceps to grab the shaft. Buddy of mine swears by putting heatshrink around shaft and pulling it thru that way too.
Keep lots of washers and nuts on the bench; more then once I've struggled to get a pot in and then with both hands busy, dropped a nut to the floor.
Good luck.

eryque · May 27th, 2003, 09:36 AM

On my sheraton I found that there isn't a space big enough in the pickup cavity to fit the pot through, so I gotta be a little bit creative about snaking the pot through the f hole. Wouldn't surprise me if your Yamaha and my Sheraton were made in the same factory with similar construction.

Other than that, I tie the string around the pot shaft, too. After you do it once it's not really any harder than working with any other electronics in small spaces.

Nathan · May 27th, 2003, 01:14 PM

Use dental floss for string -if you try something too thick, the whole plan is down the toilet...

Lance · May 27th, 2003, 01:32 PM

:)

Lance · May 28th, 2003, 10:48 AM

OK....I decided to use floss. Mint flavored Glide to be exact. I also tied the end of the floss to another knob so I didn't accidentally loose it. I was able to get the pot over to the pickup hole and read the resistance markings (300K ohms - strange...they're usually 250K or 500K). I just ordered the 250K push-push pots from GuitarJones.

Getting the pot BACK was the trick. I had to use hemostats through the f-holes to wiggle the pot back towards the hole before I could pull it through. I was really sweating hoping that knot in the floss would hold. Anyway, despite the fact that it wasn't easy, the floss trick worked.

Thanks again!
L-

Lance · June 9th, 2003, 07:23 PM

Well...this ended up being pretty difficult...full report on the push-push switch over here:

http://www.tdpri.com/viewtopic.php?t=3579

May 27th, 2003, 09:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
Lance Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,164	Archtop potentiometer replacement technique advice? I've got a broken push-push (coil split) tone pot on my Yamaha archtop. In another thread I found the source for a replacement. The only thing I'm wondering is "HOW"! Is there an easy luthier technique/trick to replacing the pots in an archtop? The f-holes are too narrow so my guess is that the operation will take place through the pickup holes. Anyone know this trick? I've also got to get it out first to see what the value is before ordering a new one. Here's the link to the pot by the way: http://guitarjones.net/php/freeshop/...id=379&ac_id2= __________________ Lance "not very good...but I make up for it by playing loud"

May 27th, 2003, 09:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
telepaw TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: below sea level Posts: 21	Get a length of string or thin wire a few feet long. Remove the knob and tie the string or wire securely around the pot's shaft. Then, remove the nut and washer, being careful not to loosen the string. Remove the pickup and carefully pull the pot out--the string should come with it. Untie the old pot, replace with the new one, retie the string and pull it back through the hole in the body for the pot using the length of string protruding through this hole. Just do it slowly and carefully--you don't want to inadvertently unfasten the string. When the pot comes through, fish the washer and nut over the string onto the shaft and tighten. I hope these instructions are clear enough, but this process should seem obvioius once you start to do it. If you have any further questions, shout. __________________ john g

May 27th, 2003, 09:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
Bob Mc Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mo'town NJ Posts: 1,585	.02 Lance Check that you're replacement pot has the same 'neck' size. Imports sometimes have mini and near mini pots that don't require the same opening as a CTS (US made pot). Ream the hole carefully if needed. Make absolutely sure you use the same lead length (you may just be reusing the old ones.) Once the harness is in that body, it's no time to find out the leads are too short. Try to leave the wiper opening facing the fhole for spraying out. If you have to remove the entire harness, I seat the pot furthest away from the f holes first. I have a pencil sized magnet that I stick thru the pot hole, and once I have it aligned, I use forceps to grab the shaft. Buddy of mine swears by putting heatshrink around shaft and pulling it thru that way too. Keep lots of washers and nuts on the bench; more then once I've struggled to get a pot in and then with both hands busy, dropped a nut to the floor. Good luck. __________________ All of us contain Music & Truth, but most of us can't get it out. Mark Twain

May 27th, 2003, 01:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
Lance Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,164	As always....ya'll are great! Thanks! :) __________________ Lance "not very good...but I make up for it by playing loud"

May 28th, 2003, 10:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
Lance Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,164	Follow up! OK....I decided to use floss. Mint flavored Glide to be exact. I also tied the end of the floss to another knob so I didn't accidentally loose it. I was able to get the pot over to the pickup hole and read the resistance markings (300K ohms - strange...they're usually 250K or 500K). I just ordered the 250K push-push pots from GuitarJones. Getting the pot BACK was the trick. I had to use hemostats through the f-holes to wiggle the pot back towards the hole before I could pull it through. I was really sweating hoping that knot in the floss would hold. Anyway, despite the fact that it wasn't easy, the floss trick worked. Thanks again! L- __________________ Lance "not very good...but I make up for it by playing loud"

May 27th, 2003, 09:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
eryque Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: albany, ny [not chicago] Posts: 6,985 44 Photos	On my sheraton I found that there isn't a space big enough in the pickup cavity to fit the pot through, so I gotta be a little bit creative about snaking the pot through the f hole. Wouldn't surprise me if your Yamaha and my Sheraton were made in the same factory with similar construction. Other than that, I tie the string around the pot shaft, too. After you do it once it's not really any harder than working with any other electronics in small spaces.

May 27th, 2003, 01:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
Nathan Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 197	Use dental floss for string -if you try something too thick, the whole plan is down the toilet...

June 9th, 2003, 07:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
Lance Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,164	Installation report - good/bad Well...this ended up being pretty difficult...full report on the push-push switch over here: http://www.tdpri.com/viewtopic.php?t=3579 __________________ Lance "not very good...but I make up for it by playing loud"