Circuitry question

bear

Quick question and again sorry if already been asked

I have a 66 jag I'm going to replace pickups with direct replacements

SD's thats all fine, while I have everything apart I was thinking

of replacing all the wire, new pots, switches, and new jack

just because now would be the time, despite a bad

connection on one of the tone rollers everything seems fine

is there any advantage to replacing the circuitry or will

it not make much difference in overall sound. Just curious

thinking these are parts and wire that are 41 yrs old

will they deterierate(?) over time or soon

all new solders might be a good thing as well

any thoughts always appreciated

Spitfire

Hi bear.

I'd say that if the circuits are working fine you should leave them as they are. Pots do wear out over time it's true but if they haven't been used that much they may well be good for some time to come. If they crackle the first thing to do is squirt them with contact cleaner, 9 times out of 10 this will get them sounding good as new. Wiring covers can become brittle over time but that's to do with the conditions the guitar has been used in so you'll need to be the judge of that. Chances are if you haven't experienced problems with cutting out or crackling the wires and the solder is good. I used to have an early sixties Jaguar and the circuitry was perfect throughout (until it got burned when the van caught fire that is!).

Because the guitar is a 66 I'd be inclined to keep it as original as possible just to maintain the resale value and perceived 'mojo'. If you do have to replace anything try and use parts as close as possible to the originals, even going as far as looking for vintage replacements. You often get new-old parts coming up on ebay. In fact there's a piece of a 50s Gretsch I'm bidding on now.

If you've got any doubts about what you're looking at posts pic here, we might be able to advise - especially Rick.

bear

Thanks spitfire

all good advice

you addressed my concerns

the first one being keeping

as original as possible and

second using new parts that

would take away from the

traditional sound of this jag

Cause I know Guitar Parts

sells pre-wired kits for three way switch

and the rythmn control/tone roller assembly

I was wondering if they were an adequate

replacement or like you said buy new-old

parts from ebay, how much does it really

matter for playing, or is it more for keeping

it truly vintage?

Fran

Allparts or Jap parts will not match the quality of the american parts and it will reflect in the guitars sound. And yes, keep it as vintage as possible. It could be worth double what it is now in five years time.

bear

So all the replacement parts on ie) pots, switches etc..

listed on guitar parts resource are not made in america?

The pots are CTS which seem to be made in USA

and the switches claim to be also.

They are called fender factory parts

but they seem to sub out their electronic

components to companies such as CTS

But your right about allparts they seem to be generics

from Japan interesting. Regardless, I am not going

to overhaul electric components unless have specific problem

everything seems to be working fine, if it ain't broke

don't fix it right. Thanks

Spitfire

CTS parts are good quality but I've never had problems with Japanese parts from any of the well known parts sites either. However I think you've hit the nail on the head with "If it aint broke.."

robertoriginal

if you want a different sound out of your jaguar you should buy a jap haugar and mod that thing, keep the 66 original.

and POST PICS@!!!!!!

bear

Sounds good

The plan has always to keep

it original I understand the value

for many reasons, and I will not

redo any of the electrics

Thanks for all the responses

and advice this is a great forum

I will post pics when I can

I'm cleaning the guts at the moment

soldering a couple wires that

came loose from switches

and one of the rollers

needs attention I think