Epiphone DOT - new member questions

[tjnies]

Hi everyone, first post here. I recently purchased a very nice 90's Epiphone DOT, with Seymour Duncans, Grover tuners, and new bridge (installed by prior owner). Only thing I believe to need done is to replace the p'up selector switch.

How hard is this to do DIY? It appears to be close to the F hole, but I don't want to make any rookie mistakes and scratch it. Also, any suggestions for the switch's manufacturer / seller? Thanks.

[Spudman***]

Working on semi hollowbodies requires plenty of patience, some light stiff wire and some string. You'll have to do a bit of fishing with that switch and the wires but it's not hard. It just takes some patience.

After you remove the switch fastening nut, securely tie the string on to the wires so that when you pull the switch back through the body you still have string running through the switch hole. That way after you solder the new switch on you can then easily pull it back to the mounting hole and re-secure the nut onto the switch. You might not need the stiff light wire. It would be used if you forget to tie the string tightly or forget string altogether. It's for fishing, but hopefully you wont need it.

Good luck.

[markb]

I could reach mine through the f-hole without needing the fishing line. There was enough slack in the wiring too.

[tjnies]

So, where is a good place to buy the switch, specific manufacturer?

[LeftyBlues]

TJ,
Try Allparts.com or Stew-Mac but get a GOOD quality i.e. not the cheapest switch. I have a 3 year old Casino and had a luthier replace all the pots and selector switch as well as installing locking tuners. The OEM parts were el garbage.
L.B.

[tjnies]

I just spoke to my guitar / amp tech. Great guys, trust them with my valuables!
I'm going to have them replace the switch, output jack, and pots all at once, rather than piecemeal through the updates. It'll cost around $120, but he said with my other updates I'll have a great guitar, "darn near a 335 Gibson!"

Thanks for the help!

Tom

[Tig***]

Some things you should do yourself, and other things need a pro. It all depends on your comfort level and technical ability. No one wants to mangle their baby!

Oh, and welcome to The Fret, Tom. This is a great place unless you are trying to save money/prevent GAS!

[ZMAN]

My guy charges me 30 bucks plus the switch. It may not be hard but for that money I would get a tech to do it.

[tjnies]

I'd feel ok doing the switch myself, but the others (esp the output jack) are so far away from any opening I'd probably mess something up!

I've taken 2 guitars and a vintage VibroChamp to my tech. That amp just "sings like an angel" now!

They may not be the cheapest, but when they go over things I know they are done with the upmost care and competence. You can't find that often enough, so I'll pay.

Besides, then it will be done, and I can enjoy playing it more!!

[deeaa*]

120...sheesh, I can't believe what luthiers charge these days. I'd be willing to pay a twenty plus parts, max. If you know what you're doing and got the parts ready, what'd it be, 15 minute job? Seems steep to me. 120 I'd buy a scratchbuilt neck or a refurbished neck, maybe, but common easy solder etc- jobs...sheesh.

[ZMAN]

I'd feel ok doing the switch myself, but the others (esp the output jack) are so far away from any opening I'd probably mess something up!

I've taken 2 guitars and a vintage VibroChamp to my tech. That amp just "sings like an angel" now!

They may not be the cheapest, but when they go over things I know they are done with the upmost care and competence. You can't find that often enough, so I'll pay.

Besides, then it will be done, and I can enjoy playing it more!!

In the long run you are way ahead. You plug it in and play. If you do it and it doesn't work you do it over until it does. I had an issue with a repair and took it back and had it redone. There was a misunderstanding on the pot values, i supplied the electronics and it was probably my fault but they did it over no charge and the result was perfect. Plus working inside a semi hollow is not the same as a solid body. And with all the upgrades it will probably sound really amazing. Just remember you probably won't get the money back for the upgrades. Just enjoy it.

[tjnies]

Z, I just don't trust my skills enough, nor do I want to make this a "practice" guitar. Maybe my old Kent will be the Frankenstein monster, don't know.

What scares me is that I'm a Fender man; I have a pristine 8502 Telecaster that I have to admit is my #1, but am enjoying the Epi so much that the Tele has been neglected a bit...

[markb]

...I have a pristine 8502 Telecaster that I have to admit is my #1...

Well hi! Another member of the 8502 Brotherhood At the risk of going OT, here's my honey blonde.

[ZMAN]

Z, I just don't trust my skills enough, nor do I want to make this a "practice" guitar. Maybe my old Kent will be the Frankenstein monster, don't know.

What scares me is that I'm a Fender man; I have a pristine 8502 Telecaster that I have to admit is my #1, but am enjoying the Epi so much that the Tele has been neglected a bit...

I have 17 Electrics and I rarely mod them or change things. I don't do any of the work on them. I have enough to do with my other mechanical hobbies.
I found a tech that is really good, and resonable with his charges. He does all my repairs and any set ups. I recently changed the pickups, pots, and caps in my Gibson Gold top and it came out exactly the way I wanted.
He guarantees his work and is especially careful with my guitars.
I know it isn't rocket science but as he says when you do a couple of hundred it is pretty straight forward.

[wingsdad]

Considering that a Switchcraft toggle's around $15 and input jack $3-$5, a set of (4) 500K audio taper CTS pots might run $20, DiMarzio custom tapers about twice that...$40-$60 in parts, plus $60 or so in labor by a trustworthy repair tech to do the job right makes that well worth it. Whether it improves resale value is a matter of what the upgrades are worth to the prospective buyer, but that's not even relevant here. Improving the Dot's quality for your own playing pleasure is.