Epiphone SG Switch Replacement

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Aylesbury Guitar Repair

This Epiphone SG guitar required some much needed TLC in order to make the electronics work as designed.

A third-party selector switch had been installed in such a way that the pickups only worked independently of each other. This meant that the middle position did not work at all, so the choppy, funky, scooped sounds synonymous with this combination was inaccessible.

A replacement switch was purchased, and soldered back into the correct configuration – the previous switch direction was connecting the opposite pickup to the one described on the switch surround. Needless to say I corrected this as well.

The fretboard, frets and body received a thorough clean and polish, leaving the guitar looking and feeling much like it would have done in the shop, making this a very satisfying job to do!
Epiphone SG

Epiphone SG Switch Replacement

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Aylesbury Guitar Repair

This Epiphone SG guitar required some much needed TLC in order to make the electronics work as designed.

The fretboard, frets and body received a thorough clean and polish, leaving the guitar looking and feeling much like it would have done in the shop, making this a very satisfying job to do!

Replacing Reverb Tanks and Finishing the SG

Posted on September 17, 2014 by Aylesbury Guitar Repair

Today has been another interesting day in the workshop! So far I’ve replaced a couple of reverb tanks in a couple of amps, and I’ve been able to finish the SG off.

I got the replacement tanks from Hot Rox Uk, and the service was quick and efficient. They’re competitive on pricing so it was a good experience dealing with them.

The tanks are direct replacements for a Fender Blues Junior and a Mesa Boogie Lonestar Special, although the later tank is made by TAD rather than Belton/Accutronics, which is the brand you’re most likely to find in many Marshall, Mesa and Fender Amps and many more besides.

There are notable differences in the construction of both tanks – the Belton appears to be more expensive to manufacture, so we’ll have to see if it translates to a better tone/experience with the customer.

The SG client opted to get a new set of Gibson Classic ’57 and Classic + ’57 pickups with shiny chrome covers. These differ only slightly from the previous pickups, but sound great now that they’re in the guitar. They sound bright to my ears, in comparison with ’57s in a Les Paul I’ve got, but still lovely and versatile and definitely better than the stock pickups these guitars come with. It’s been a real treat to work on this guitar, and I look forward to the next one!

Gibson SG Pickup Removal

Posted on September 10, 2014 by Aylesbury Guitar Repair

A customer has brought me their trusty Gibson SG standard to remove the pickups in readiness for some replacements that they’re sourcing.

The pickups to come out of the guitar are Gibson’s own Classic ’57’s, and these ones in particular were originally in a Custom Shop Historic Les Paul, hence the ageing on them.

These are beautiful-sounding pickups, rich in warmth and pristine clarity. They sound fabulous. I can’t wait to see what goes in in their place! Stay tuned!