Epi Firebird - Wiring...

[phoenix_p0]

Hi all,

I posted a while ago about deciding which guitar to go for for my Kaoss Pad project.

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs077.snc3/14445_334239415423_572465423_9578604_6048670_n.jpg

Well, I've finally picked up an Epiphone Firebird to use but am just looking for some advice on the wiring. Basically I'm going to take everything out so I can repaint the guitar (pictures will show just how beat up it is!), and just want to make sure I know what I'm doing when it comes to putting it back together.

It's the wiring from the two pickups that I'm unsure of. Basically, there is one big fat wire running from the pickup to one of the tone controls. Inside fat wire are five little wires. The below takes the example of the bridge pickup (big black wire), though both are wired the same, but of course, to different control knobs.

They are:
1 big silver wire - soldered to the top, same place as white wire.
1 white wire - soldered to the top, same place as big silver wire.
1 green wire - connected to one of three sticky outy things.
1 blue / 1 red intertwined - not connected to anything.

http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac346/phoenix_p0/Guitar%20Project%20-%20Epi%20Firebird/7.jpg

http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac346/phoenix_p0/Guitar%20Project%20-%20Epi%20Firebird/6.jpg

The white and silver wire are also soldered onto the wire running from the 3 way selector (which in turn is then connected onto the volume control as well).

Clearly from the above terms, I don't have a lot of clue about what I'm doing... but I want to learn this before I go ahead.

Can anyone fill me in on the actual names for any of the terms I've used above (sticky outy things?).

Also whether this is a fairly standard setup?

And two more things - I take it the little green tab looking things are resistors?

And does anyone know what type of pickups these are? Humbuckers?

Thanks muchly,

David

[markb]

Your pickups are humbuckers, here's a wiring diagram for a standard Gibson style setup. Bear in mind that the wire colours may not match exactly as different manufacturers have different codes. The little green things are capacitors.

http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=2h_2v_2t_3w

[phoenix_p0]

Thanks Mark, this is great.

I've also heard about mini-humbuckers. How would I know whether I have minis or standard?

[markb]

You have minis. A full sized humbucker has wider coils. Minis were originally fitted to the Firebird which was meant to compete with Fenders and Gibson wanted a brighter pickup that kept the hum cancelling feature. Narrower coils sense less of the string length and are thus usually brighter. Minis were also used in some 70s Gibson models and a number of 60s and early 70s Epiphones (before Epi production moved to Japan).

[Kazz]

The little sticky outy things are called lugs.

[phoenix_p0]

Just a quick update on how things are going with the mod. I'm still at the basic stages - stripped out the old parts, just waiting to have the time to sand the thing down before routing the wood to insert the pad. Then paint - lovely purple.

Currently looks like this:

http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac346/phoenix_p0/Guitar%20Project%20-%20Epi%20Firebird/11.jpg

I do have the new parts now that I'll be putting on when I'm finished. Chrome parts for everywhere.

http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac346/phoenix_p0/Guitar%20Project%20-%20Epi%20Firebird/12.jpg

Hopefully I'll have sanded the guitar down soon - feel like I'm getting somewhere with this!

[Kazz]

My guess is you are single.....cuz I know my wife would not be letting me lay all my stuff out on the carpet like that.

Bit of advice for you....tape up that neck route area and do not paint it....or paint it very lightly.....it will affect how the neck bolts back on.

[oldguy]

Keep us posted as you proceed, David. No-one here has ever attempted anything like this, afaik. I realize you're taking your time, and don't want to make any mistakes, so if it takes awhile that's cool.
I especially want to hear some of the kaoss sounds you get out of it when you're through. You might want to keep a running total of how much you've got invested in this project. I know buying one ready built isn't cheap.
This is going to be so freakin' interesting...................................

[phoenix_p0]

Heh, thanks for the encouragements guys.

I am actually married, but she does mind a little - that's why it's taking so long to start the sanding!

I have done the sanding and painting side of things on my Eko before, so I'm aware of the various pitfalls that are ahead - but I'm going to be very careful!

So far, costs are:

Guitar - £200
New tone / volume pots - £5
New tone / volume knobs - £8
Paint - £10 (Will go up! This is only for the back of the guitar - you'll see what I mean soon enough... I also have some lacquer leftover from my last job)
New nut - £3
New 3 way selector - £3

Current total - £229

I'll keep this updated as I go on.

[phoenix_p0]

Just started the sanding... Paint has all arrived, and the pedal is bought, so I'm anxious to get the prep work done - sanding and cutting!

Here are the sum total of an hour's efforts:

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs055.snc3/14236_357340655423_572465423_9873492_6971053_n.jpg

And the blistered thumbs from all that hand sanding to match... guess I'll have to lay off for a few days :-(

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs055.snc3/14236_357340665423_572465423_9873493_1915744_n.jpg

To be continued...

[phoenix_p0]

Sorry for all this posting on top of myself, but things have been progressing well thus far. Please feel free to chip in your thoughts all!

I've just started painting the neck having sanded everything down.

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs055.snc3/14236_372610065423_572465423_9981351_4197088_n.jpg

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs055.snc3/14236_372610075423_572465423_9981352_8338612_n.jpg

I had a bit of trouble with the paint leaking under the masking tape onto the fretboard, but I think I can get it off without messing up the finish. I had the same problem with the Eko and it came out alright. Just spoke to another guitarist friend who recommended electrical tape and using a knife blade to tuck it between fret board and neck to make a sort of seal. I'll probably try that when it comes to the next coats...

The purple undercoat will eventually be sprayed over with some purple glitter paint (clear with purple sparkle!) and then topped with lacquer.

I'm thinking a couple of months and I'll be done...