Upcoming NGD and Beginning of Project thread - Blacktop HH Strat

[duhvoodooman***]

If everything is grounded and the output jack is still wired up, you can test your wiring through an amp by tapping the selected pickup with a screwdriver. You can even test the volume and tone pots from the changes in output sound. Alternatively, you can measure the resistance across each pickup as described HERE. Beats getting everything reinstalled and restrung and then finding out there's a connection problem....

[sunvalleylaw]

If everything is grounded and the output jack is still wired up, you can test your wiring through an amp by tapping the selected pickup with a screwdriver. You can even test the volume and tone pots from the changes in output sound. Alternatively, you can measure the resistance across each pickup as described HERE. Beats getting everything reinstalled and restrung and then finding out there's a connection problem....

Yes, did that, (saw that tip in the Fender vid I linked) and it was all working. But in triple checking before trying to put everything back in, I found a one loose joint. Fixed that. So will check again later.

So, the tale. I will upload pics in a few minutes after posting via Tapatalk. Easier that way.

So, got the soldering figured out as I said. Got confused on one connection, but I think I have it right. Did the "gross" connectivity test you mention and it seems to work. Did not remember to test the tone pots.


Here is the only stripping tool I have. Will order a better one.

Got excited and decided to put it all back together. BUT . . . when I went to install the wired PG, it would not fit all the way in. Guess what? The screws provided by Dimarzio are too long to fit in the routing of the guitar body. So, I tried to pirate the screws off the stock PG, though I had wanted just to leave that for a later project without messing with the pup mounting in the mint PG. But, guess what? Those screws are too wide! Will not fit in the Dimarzio screw holes. HaHa! So just comical. Oh well. I learned a lot about soldering. The result was a little messy looking, and certainly not up to DVM standards, or probably anyone else's including Marnold's. But it seems to work. If I get it all installed and it is not quite right, or even if I screwed up a stock pot or switch, they are not expensive, and I can get a couple new ones. I was thinking to get a new volume pot anyway for better taper for volume roll down, so if that one does not have clean joints, no big deal. I learned a lot for the next project. Definitely more challenging for me right now than the Santellan solderless kit I used in my tele. But once I get my soldering cleaned up, it will be no big deal.

So, that was the mixed success and lack of success. Perserverance then demanded that I use my time, so I went on and cleaned up the neck using my new files and file guide, and a cheap little file I got as part of a kit to dress the ends once excess material was removed. I then hit the ends with a sanding sponge and steel wool, and then cleaned it all up and oiled the fretboard. Then I put it to bed for the night until i get the correct screws.


All in all, a good learning experience and some good progress was made.