Part 2- Reinstalling Semi-Hollowbody Electronics

[@slawaschwed]

So long probably the oldest and the best video of the kind. Thanks

[@bluesdawg8014]

Use a 10" zip tie for the 1/4 jack. Works perfect. I just installed my pots, switch and jack yesterday in my Heritage H 555. This wasn't easy so it will take patience. My H 555 sounds great now. Took about 1 1/2 hours. Los Angeles

[@ladyluckdrums]

I have no real need for this information....but I always wanted to know how it was done. Thanks for the videos. Really well done, great instruction. Nice sense of humor.

[@wagonet]

i couldn't comprehend how to do this, thanks in 2024. great video and guide.

[@anthonyskellern5970]

Unique in the fast-moving attention-deficit world of KZbin, is a series like John's on modifying electronics on a semi-acoustic... Uploaded 11 years ago, I am now in 2021 watching this with fascination, as I contemplate replacing the pickups and electronics in my own semi acoustic. Happy to say that this wonderfully explained series is as relevant and helpful as ever - I have not seen another that beats this one... Thanks, John!

[@johnplanetz]

Thanks so much for the kind words! Enjoy.

[@GuyCampo]

Great videos and tips! Thank you! I just completed a 335 - 12 string build (my first) and your vids helped me out with the final stages. I have to say that the wiring on these 335 styles is really hard. I can't say mine was perfect but the thing has pretty good sound coming out of it. Everything works!

[@spoonido]

Great. At first I was skeptical because you're just sitting on the floor instead of a "proper" workbench, but that makes it all the more real. I mean, the floor is where I work on my guitars!. Thanks for the upload.

[@timhansen4556]

Excellent tutorial! I used thin electronic wire instead of string, as it's much easier to push over towards the F-hole. As noted, this is somewhat challenging the first time around but it does indeed work well and I thank you, John! Saved my bacon on an Ebay Gretsch Tennessee Rose with very oxidized, dysfunctional pots that cleaned up nicely using DeOxit D5. Cheers from Colorado.

[@taxisteve929]

Geez...gotta have the patience of a saint to do this stuff!!! My hands are shaking with frustration watching you do this....not to mention I have horrible dexterity. No problem with the "What do to" puzzle, but the "do it" part....why I never became a brain surgeon and decided to just drive a cab.

[@chipmuellemann7901]

Best video on this I have seen by far. Thank you!

[@blayneb7290]

Very helpful and I really appreciate your sense of humor! Have an ES 335 I bought new pickups and a full loom for and was going to take it to someone but based on watching you (and others) think I may try this for myself. Your helpful videos make this rather daunting task look doable. Thanks!

[@monkymonk6]

Thank you for posting this video. Just got a cheap ES 335 copy and am ready to replace the pots on it. Have heard some stories on how difficult this procedure can be. Your video gives me hope that I may be able to do this!

[@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040]

How did things go?

[@monkymonk6]

@@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040 Long story short, it worked, but the sound was not what I wanted. The tutorial helped greatly, though. Again, this is a project for those with patience, because this will test it for sure!

[@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040]

@@monkymonk6 Well, I like trying my hand at something that I haven't done before. It suddenly proves that I can do things I never thought I can, and makes me curious what else I can do.

[@luvdablz]

Excellent instruction! Very clear and understandable for even me with little knowledge on doing this.

[@dukeh62]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO! I just rewired my Epiphone Riviera this past weekend, and your videos were CRITICAL to the easy success I encountered. Thank you!

[@KP11520]

Hi John, I use 20 pound test fishing line. A little more difficult to feed through, but worth it when pulling the parts into their respective holes. And you never know... Maybe you'll catch a nice Salmon for dinner! I was thinking about using a lock washer on the Jack (below the guitar top) as well, to really insure locking it down. Tired of them eventually coming loose. Excellent job walking us all through the steps! Thanks again!

[@nickodood]

GREAT job! I started watching with your p93 review and got hooked on your pickup replacement tutorials and then electronics tutorial. You have my respect for doing all of that so well and professionally. cheers!

[@sitcomsid]

I would suggest tightening pot nuts with a tube spanner or socket, if using wrench as in the video its good to cover the face of the wrench with insulation tape to protect the guitar surface, just cut down the opening area with a utility knife. Having said that ,nice video, with some good tips.

[@robertjones3888]

Apply a light flame (Bic lighter) to the end of the nylon string after cutting. This will seal the string and keep it from fraying.

[@pda49184]

Thank you for that excellent tutorial John..You make it look straight forward..Maybe now I'll stop having nightmares about doing this to my own guitar, ha-ha...

[@davidmassie6179]

Great. Thanks. My jack broke off and was hanging loose inside the body of my guitar. I could not work out a way to fix it. But i found this and it worked a treat. Took about an hour and a half.

[@stewartdegner260]

Thank you for your video, It was helpful. Concerning the jack: I made a large loop, (Not a slip Knot). About a 4 inch circle, around the long tang part, and threaded it up through the hole. The circle is above the guitar after pulling. When done just cut one side and pull it out. The tape was a good idea too. had to wrestle parts in And out of slot.

[@garyhagelgans7371]

Oh Yeah!!! I'll be fixing my own guitar, broken ground wire on the jack, Thanks John you're the man.

[@cajunqueen5125]

good gawd, this was a *fantastic* video. THANKS for posting!

[@stuart8663]

Thank you so much, I now have a bit more confidence to try a kit hollow-bodied bass.

[@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040]

This video couldn't be more timely as I'm about to sort out my 1972 Japan made Epiphone EA-250. That thing decided to quit on me and play only neck pickup. Replaced its 3 way switch with a brand new one but problem retains the same, so will pull electrics out to inspect. Although on my guitar there are holes under pickups, so they will help me a bit with things.

[@zhivago729]

nice tricks with the jack, very helpful. I might have the stones to do this to my own guitar now.

[@davecooper360]

Nice!! I have an old 2000 Epiphone Dot which sounds great at home.. but a little bland and muddy on the gigs with a full band. I plan on installing new pickups and electronics. This video is very helpful so thank you very much for posting it! :)

[@hutch356]

i gotta tell you this is a beautiful guitar, i want to get one someday, and maybe replace the electronics to my liking. you did a very good job, thanks for the vids man

[@MrBallynally2]

Another tip:after installing the output jack, plug the guitar in, check if everything still works. Do this every step of the way as you install the vol/tone pots so you don't have to take everything out when you accidentally pull a wire inside the guitar and therefore know exactly where the problem lies. I use thin wrap wire to do these jobs, flexible enough yet not as thick as standard electrical wire. As it has plastic on the outside it will not catch anything nor knot easily like a piece of string..

[@lifebyryan]

Thanks this really was exactly what I needed!

[@westfield90]

Fantastic tutorial - thanks for the 720p. One question, using that type of wrench to tighten the nuts, doesn't it run the risk of scratching the finish of the guitar since, wouldn't it be better to use a screwdriver type of wrench?

[@Luxedrina]

I was puzzled when I removed the pickguard and found a countinuous cherry - shining surface and no way of accessing the inlays! So that's how it's done :O. Well, now I know it's going to be very surgeon-like. Here we go. Thank you a lot!

[@DrTallahassee]

thanks for your videos, they're my favourites!...only I don't get one thing: how did you connect the electronics with the humbuckers without soldering? Maybe I've lost some step... thank you!

[@Bognerman14]

Hi, thanks for responding. I hadn't though of doing what you mention in just solderin in the new pickups. Honestly I do not do a lot of volume and tone roll back, but do once in a while on the bridge pickup. Only problem is I would have to be sure I am matching up the correct wires! Did you do a video on this method? -Thanks

[@JonCPN]

Bought a SH self-build kit, love the kit but the instructions are useless. Project for me and my 14YO son - your videos for the wiring are fantastic - thank you for taking the time.

[@pigeonlady3460]

Very good video, I've been wondering about that for a while. But all that work just makes me want to use a BOSS GE-7 of changing the pick-ups! Bend, tweak, play.

[@fiveshadesofgray42]

John, fantastic instructions. But you skipped a key step. You showed installing the first pot you could back up reaching through the F-hole. What is the technique for the other pots you can’t reach as to how to steady them to start the washer and nut?

[@Dgendreau]

Awesome video that is going to make my life much easier when I re-install my electronics into my ES-339! Excellent instruction, you just need a REAL workbench, kinda weird watching you sit on the floor doing this work......

[@YouAreAllCrazy]

Perfect vid, man! I really needed instructions on how to do this and you delivered! Great job!

[@Andrea_Manconi]

Nice... If I wanted to switch for a 2 volume wiring to a single volume pot should i rewire the whole electronic?

[@samxday]

Fantastic video. I followed someone else's at first and found yours late. But thank you!!

[@FretFriendGWaL]

Great vid! I have a 335 just come in today that needs an electrics overhaul so this video is a great help. Cheers :)

[@MLDGM]

Thanks for the reply, but yeah I knew about the pots. I found out a little after posting this from another video, it sucks. Shouldn't be too hard but I'd want the original parts. What I was wondering was if the wiring would be any different? And I'm wanting to change them to passive really, being stock EMG's from Gibson they're pretty top range. I'd just like feeling in it really

[@357bullfrog]

You've sure got more nerves and patience than me. It sounds great too

[@jwlenn]

Hi John, thanks for the videos, they are very useful for my next project. I have a couple of questions that I would be pleased if you can help me with. First I wanted to confirm whether the potetiometers for the Casino are short or long shaft. I guess they are short but is good to doublecheck. Finally, I have an Epi Casino and I will replace pots with CTS. As far as I understand those have bigger holes than the factory ones that come with the guitar. If so, did you manage any way to enlarge the original holes of your guitar? Thanks in advance. Kind regards from Spain!

[@EarslimeRecords619]

Wow. What a great video. Thanks

[@samxday]

Love the little guitar outro too. Ooooooh. 😎

[@vitocarrone7452]

hi, I saw that you have revolutionized the guitar, on this coast I have the problem of closed sound, do you think it is enough to replace the capacitor, or is it necessary to change the pick ups?

[@TheWGLOVER]

Interesting series of videos. Thank you.

[@Carlo8836]

Very cool. Gonna try this.

[@pellabandgeek]

i'm doing a project like this and i have the same type of knobs! They're cool lookin' knobs. :)

[@ACLeftyGuitar]

nice video, were these mini or full sized pots?

[@johnplanetz]

Those were full sized pots

[@francoprs]

Excellent series of tutorial videos. Thank you!

[@progrmr]

GREAT videos! I'm going to attempt this with my Delta King today - very helpful and I'm looking forward to tackling it on my own. Be nice to deprive the luthier of $100 for installation and setup! THANKS!

[@RedHeadGuitar]

The trick with the pliers in the jack while tightening is geius! Why didn't I know this for 20 years of maintaining my guitars...

[@TheBloomberger]

Thanks for a great and instructional video! :)

[@jtanaka2]

You are a saint for doing this, thank you!

[@gregmaland5318]

Thanks. This was extremely helpful.

[@skeembot]

Beautiful work man

[@uipkvc]

how do they do this in the factory? I can't imagine doing it through the hole like you did and respect any production deadline.

[@johnplanetz]

Good question! I have wondered that myself! :)

[@runrabbitrun4342]

Did you not show the soldering up the pickups??

[@uipkvc]

John Cooper I think that the only way the workers at the factory would fly through the construction is if they install the components to the top before glueing it to the rest of the guitar. My best guess :)

[@johnplanetz]

Jerry Detrik- I showed all the soldering in my other series of videos: Wiring up the guitar electronics. Here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYXSoKyXrcl3jJI

[@igordrozdowski9718]

It took me literally 5 minutes to put the pots in place with long tweezers, so no string hassle.

[@MLDGM]

Hi, I hope you can help me with this, I have a problem with my Guitar. I've got a Gibson ES 335, and it has EMG pickups in (rare showcase edition with stock EMGS). I've not been getting any response from the tone knobs, and have wanted to change the pickups anyway. I've watched all the videos on how to change pickups and rewire, but would it be different because it's got active pickups in now, rather than passive? If so would it be difficult to do?

[@bdebondadoso]

Thanks John!!!!

[@nosreffejefferson]

thanks for teaching us

[@novoxxx]

Sooooooooo helpfully!!! Thanks a lot for the explanations!!!

[@DrTallahassee]

I'll check then, thank you very much!

[@sixtyherbie6227]

The dude knows what he's talkin' bout. Supafly!

[@moosey62]

Thanks from the future.

[@didi2120]

Many thanks, very useful video !

[@DrTahanBlues]

excelente como siempre...........A1

[@gobigrey9352]

Well I guess I will attempt this. Thanks!

[@RicketyKrickett]

Pliers are the enemy,... A 1/2 inch socket works perfectly and 100x faster on all CTS pots and Output jacks.

[@bobbarcus8310]

Thanks

[@backey69]

手持ちのセミアコの改造を考えていたのでとても参考になりました。英語は分かりませんが、動画を見れば何とかなりそうです＾＾ このセミアコ弄りシリーズは全部見ますよ＾＾ｖ

[@Bognerman14]

I want to change the pickups in my ES-335 but this looks like a nightmare!!!!!!!! Yikes. Stinks because I want to be able to do it.

[@pellabandgeek]

i liked the OH YEAH at the end.

[@froidevalian]

Great vid' thank you ! You helped me!

[@CamiloToston]

AMAZING THX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Alfredo78666]

Tragic, a luthier friend had been burglarized, all guitars gone, all but one, guess which... They even took the reverse flying V, the humanity!

[@johnplanetz]

Sorry to hear that! Devastating.

[@chengliu872]

I cannot help but feel like there should be an easier way. Why does it have to be such a pain in the ass?

[@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040]

Beauty is worth of some sacrifice. Heard of women, btw? Same philosophy applies with them.

[@JACKSONLEWISOFCANADA]

cant imagine my plans difficulty for my cheap epiphany pup change...

[@aaron3299]

Fucking ace ,man.

[@partsroz1962]

Amature