You are reading a single comment by @Alan_tbt and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
-
Encouraging to hear, I've been sitting on swapping my Casino's pickups for some time now, need to finally bite the bullet. Will be making the loom myself as that's the only part of the process I don't dread....!
@dsalmon I'd really recommend Proteus and NAM (Neural Amp Modeller) for in-the-box amp alternatives - they're both freeware and some of the models you can download sound and react great! Consensus seems that the well made ones easily compare to the much raved about Kemper and the likes, so to think it's all free it's pretty bonkers...!
alex_s
@Alan_tbt
I got myself an Epiphone inspired by 335 earlier in the year. It’s had an intermittent problems with the bridge pickup but rather than return under warranty (I like the feel of the guitar and don’t want a replacement) I opted to install a Monty’s Guitars 335 loom.
I made a couple of tools from cheap tent pegs similar to a violin tone post setting tool in shape and used an old jack and steel string to make a pull through for the jack. I opted to keep the original pickups.
Removal of the old loom, soldering of pickups, installation of the new loom, new strings and setup (including neck relief) took around 3 to 4 hours. The trickiest bit was the dental floss I used on each pot to pull through just got tangled and looped around other components so I mainly used the tent peg tools to manipulate the pots into place.
I’m really pleased with the result. My playing is the same of course but the tone has more clarity and sounds great.
Looking at the original loom it is tatty beyond belief. I could have made a neater job but then I’m not expected to turn out 20 or more looms an hour.
The quality of the new loom was spot on. Great soldering and everything the perfect length. Once installed only the neck pickup lead needed a little tuck out of the way under a sticky wire tab. Everything else is tight and tidy.