Changing Semi-Hollowbody Electronics
In this series of articles and videos, I demonstrate the arduous task of removing electronics through the f-hole of a semi-hollowbody guitar, then modifying as necessary, then re-installing the electronics. Then, I talk about how to replace the pickups. Bonus video on how to deal with the common dreaded “jack fell into the body” issue. Enjoy!
Don’t know jack
What is up with the jacks on these semi-hollowbody Epiphone guitars. When I was shopping for guitars in the stores, I often saw Epiphone Dots and Sheratons with the jack missing inside the guitar. How can that be good for sales?! And when reading in the Epi forums, I saw folks complaining of this happening […]
A new series on guitar electronics
This is part 1 of a new series on guitar electronics. In the video, I demonstrate how to get the electronics out of a semi-hollow body guitar, with some useful tips and tricks. Once the electronics are out of the guitar, it’s relatively easy to try some experiments on the circuit to see how it […]
This is not a drill!
Next up in the series on guitar pots, I demonstrate how to enlarge the holes in your semi-hollow body top, to accommodate the larger diameter 3/8” pot shafts. Import guitars appear to use slightly smaller 8mm or 5/16” shaft pots. In the video, I demonstrate using a Unibit stepped drill bit to cut very clean holes. Note […]
Replacing the Pickups
I’m finally all set to replace the pickups on my Epiphone Riviera P93. I’ll be using a set of Vintage Vibe Guitars height adjustable dog-eared P-90’s. I’ll do a detailed review of these pickups later, but for now I’m focusing on how to do it. In part 1 of this video series, I remove the […]
Positioning Pickups Before Drilling
This is part 2 of the video series on Replacing Pickups in a semi-hollowbody guitar. Here, I show some common-sense tricks for properly positioning the pickups front-to-back and side-to-side on the guitar, without having to make lots of measurements, etc. To place the pickups parallel with the edge of the fretboard and parallel with each […]
Drilling for Pickups
In part 3 of the video series on installing pickups, I select some screws and show some tricks for drilling the holes right where you want them. For the screws, I chose some slotted silver 3/4” long #4 wood screws. Even though the Bigsby and tuners are finished in gold, I think these silver screws […]
Guitar Electronics Comparisons
In this video, I finally bring together the results of the last 20 or so videos, and demo the results of my Epiphone Riviera P93 electronics overhaul. I first demonstrate the original Epi setup, then swap in my new electronics, and then replace the pickups with a matched set of new Vintage Vibe Guitars P-90’s. […]
Reinstalling The Electronics
Finally! Time to ditch the cardboard and reinstall the electronics into my Epiphone Riviera P93. In this two-part video, I demonstrate the trick to getting it all back in though the f-hole. It ain’t easy, but trust me- you can do it. Just be prepared that it may take a few tries to get right. […]
Tune-o-matic vs Roller
Back in 2009, I described my frustration with the Tune-o-matic bridge on my Epiphone Riviera P93. The retainer wire that holds the saddle screws in place is just a terrible design. A good choice to address this issue is the Nashville style tune-o-matic which has individual saddle retainer clips, while also increasing saddle-adjustment range for […]
Adding Controls to a Dot Studio
I was asked this question by Jeff on my treble bleed youtube video: I’m going to upgrade an Epiphone DOT Studio that I recently picked up and I’ll be putting two additional POTs in.. I have a request, would you please send me a link to your wiring diagram and would you PLEASE make a […]