Warning on Replacing Electronics: SE Soapbar

[Aldwyn]

Ok, so I got done replacing the tone pot and cap on my SE Soapbar... just a couple of warnings to those who may want to do the same on their SE Soapbars:

A) The CTS pots will NOT fit in the route hole that the Korean pots fit into. You will have to route the hole larger for them to fit, and also break off the little metal stablizer on the pot.

B) The knob which comes with the SE Soapbar will NOT fit on a CTS pot. The shaft is to large, and the threads a different size!

C) It was to much of a pain in the arse to try and desolder the cap off the tonepot (though I tried for 5 minutes)... I am glad I bought some .022 caps from Radio shack, "just in case".

So I need to go buy a set of two knobs now to replace the one that wont fit on the new CTS knob. :(


BUT... the tone knob sweaps all the way from 1 - 10 now! Woohoo!! :)

Peace,
Aldwyn

[Big Mike]

Glad it was worth it! Did you drill the holes, or use something else? I always ues a peghead reamer with good results.

[TRandy16]

I wonder if a set of Seymour Duncan Soapbars will drop right into the SE? Anybody tried it yet?

[Chiba]

Normal sized soapbars (i.e. not "stacks") will drop right in.

--chiba

[Aldwyn]

I tell ya... call me crazy, but I dig the sound of the el cheapo pups in this thing. Even better then the McSoapy I played at Chuck's several months ago!

The stock soapbars stay put! :D

Peace,
Aldwyn

[Chiba]

A - I agree that the stockers sound pretty good. I would have left them in mine as well but my studio has an electrical field confluence of Gozerian magnitude, so I had to swap them out for something quieter.

--chiba

PS If you get that reference, more power to ya!!!!

[Aldwyn]

No clue, so no more power to me. :)

On the other hand, I understand about the pups being noisy... if I am using my POD XT (thanks Dave! Really enjoying it!) in Guitar Port Online mode, I have to turn away from the monitor as much as possible, because the noise is so annoying!

I tend to stay split between both pups anyway, so it cancles out most of the hum... but using one pup or the other, and I need to stay away from the computer! :)

Peace,
Aldwyn

[Big Mike]

A - I agree that the stockers sound pretty good. I would have left them in mine as well but my studio has an electrical field confluence of Gozerian magnitude, so I had to swap them out for something quieter.

--chiba

PS If you get that reference, more power to ya!!!!

I am Zool the Gatekeeper for Gozar.

[Aldwyn]

Pusher North sent me a new knob, free of chrage... how nice!

But it doesn't fit. Different problem. The one that came with the guitar was to small to fit on the CTS pot. This knob is to big!!

Anyone have a good idea on how to fit slightly larger knob on a slightly smaller pot? I was thinking a little dab of super glue, but if I needed to get the knob off, it may be ugly.

Peace,
Aldwyn

[Big Mike]

Real careful like, spread the tangs ever so slightly. If it's solid shaft, wrap a bit of cloth ( Gaffers ) tape, or rubber cement.

[Aldwyn]

Real careful like, spread the tangs ever so slightly. If it's solid shaft, wrap a bit of cloth ( Gaffers ) tape, or rubber cement.
It's split pole. They look to thick to bend, but I will give that a shot!

Peace,
Aldwyn

[Aldwyn]

Do you mean the shaft hole or the floor of the cavity? I know the shaft hole needs opening out slightly (I've done it so often I guess it never occurred to me!) but if the cavity floor needs routing that is a serious problem... I'm pretty sure the Type 1 SE I did this on didn't need it though.

I was only refering to the shaft hole. Had the cavity needed rerouting, I would never have tried it. :D



You shouldn't have to remove the stabiliser pin if you put a lock ('star') washer on the pot bushing. I prefer this anyway as it bites into the wood and keeps everything nice and secure.


The pot did indeed come with a locking washer, which I used. I didnt think about the stablizer pin digging in... I was to afraid to strip the threads on the shaft if it didn't dig in! (it was getting hard to screw on the nut, and the pot didn't seem to be digging in or leveling out... it was lop-sided as I was trying to screw it tight) So I broke it off. :)


Some Far-East knobs fit on US shafts, some don't... it's a pest. I normally just open the hole in the knob up slightly with a drill - drill held in a bench vise, turn the knob slowly by hand.


Tried that... Then I realzied that the shaft was to long for the knob as well, and I would have to drill deeper into the knob... not just make it wider. Maybe I will try that route anyway since the knob matches perfectly with the other one, and the new one Pusher North sent me is not a perfect match.



As Mike says, you can just open up the split-shaft slightly if the knob is too big - but be VERY careful not to break it, it's very easy to do. A tiny bit of rubber cement or tape on the shaft is safer.

Sorry, forgot to mention all this stuff! I just do it without thinking about... but at least you know we were right about the pot being the cause of the trouble!
No problem! I am thankful for the advice you have given for this project! (as well as the advice from others!)

Peace,
Aldwyn

[Big Mike]

It's split pole. They look to thick to bend, but I will give that a shot!

Peace,
Aldwyn
Hey Aldwyn,

I do this all the time with my Strats. Just be carefull!! I usually use a flatblade driver and very gently work it to and fro slightly. There are ways to fix it if it breaks, but it's a pain in the arse.

[Aldwyn]

The screwdriver technique worked well, and the project is now a success! Knob now sits right and tight.

Thanks, guys!

Peace,
Aldwyn

[Big Mike]

Gotta love a happy ending.