Help with 1960's Tribute Options

[RodCook26]

I put this is in Tonefreaks and got zero response, so thought it might do better under Epi's.

I have an Epi 1960's Tribute that I bought sans pickups. I have purchased a SD '59 bridge pickup to go in the neck and a Pearly Gates bridge for the bridge position.

I was hoping that some of you on here would have experience with the tonal qualities of the guitar and pickups and could make recommendations on caps, pots and wiring.

It has CTS 500 pots on the volume and push/pull pots on the tone with no verbiage on them to identify them or determine anything about them.

It has .022 caps on both pickups. The number identifies them as Mallory 150's although from what I read they are supposed to be yellow and these are a whitish or very light grey.

Considering SD Triple Shots for more options.

Any input on anything would be appreciated.

 

[SJM]

Welcome to MLP. The tone push/pulls in your tribute are going to be Alpha 500K audio taper pots. Most SD 59's come with single conductor lead although they are available with four. What you can do, be it coil split or series/parallel switching, depends on what you have. You really have two ways to go, either use your existing pots and caps, which ARE Mallory 150's BTW, or buy a new harness from one of our vendors here. I bought a coil split harness from Martin6String and highly recommend it. With the P/U's you have, that should make for one fine sounding LP.

 

[RodCook26]

Thanks SJM. At least I know what the tone pots are now. The SD's I have coming are both 4 wire versions.

I already have the stock wiring, I just wasn't sure if I should upgrade to better quality pots and wires. The Gibson and Dimarzio seem to get high marks.

I intend to stay with the two push-pull's for series/parallel and OOP, but I think if I am understanding correctly that I can add the Tripleshots and get the split single PU and other sounds from them to go with the built in ones.

Since these are real Mallory's I assume I don't need to worry about caps?

Would this guitar and pickups benefit from the treble bleed kit?

 

[Tanqueray]

Welcome to MLP!

Honestly, you don't really need to change out the pots unless you find the stock ones lacking in terms of usable taper. One thing to note is that if you're switching from stock asian-made pots to US-made ones, you'll need to widen the holes for the pot shafts due to the different size (because we can't be bothered to use the metric system in this country for some reason).

If you do rewire, I second the recommendation of Martin Six Strings Customs' harnesses. I've got one in one of my elitists and it's very nice.

 

[RodCook26]

Thanks Tanqueray. I have no idea about the pots since I have never heard or played the guitar. Like I said, I bought it without pickups. I guess I will just put it together and go from there on those items.

This guitar has had the holes drilled out for the American sized pots so that isn't a problem.

 

[workerunit]

Welcome to MLP!

One thing to note is that if you're switching from stock asian-made pots to US-made ones, you'll need to widen the holes for the pot shafts due to the different size (because we can't be bothered to use the metric system in this country for some reason).

That's due to the fact that the USA is a special country, so special we use a uniquely intricate system of measurements. We do this to infuriate those that cannot think out of the box or count higher than ten.

 

[RodCook26]

LOL....I tried to avoid the subject. I am no fan of the metric system either, but I didn't want to get into a side argument.