Placing for wiring components in Electromatic G5655T

[Dorudon]

Those that get triggered by newbie ignorance might want to skip this

I have accumulated a bunch of pickups for several of my guitars and it's my intention to learn how to do pickup swaps myself. I thought I'd try with the Gretsch swapping the Broadtron for Filtertron style pups, a couple of weeks ago. As the others are humbuckers that I wanted to coil split, I thought this Gretsch semi hollow body would be the least ambitious to take on first (I know, I know!). I watched a bunch of videos on the process; but they were surprisingly different depending on the guitar model. The nearest I found was a 5120 semi hollow so used that as a guide (the reason I loosened the strings instead of removing them). It is a semi hollow body and after I pulled out the wiring and pots / switch sticks I found there ring and pots / switch sticks I found there were a whole load of washers remaining in the cavity. Presumably they came off the pots as they were pulled out, but I'm puzzled why there's so many different types and where they should be returned (see pics).

I believe this Gretsch wiring schematic to be the one that is applicable, if it helps at all:

https://assets.contentful.com/3xaxfhpie9jb/n8lS5HPynICogkOSCkKom/198aaf0bf2b01238e3e05210c3965eb1/TonePotRev.pdf

Also I notice that the wiring uses adaptors so you can lift and shift pups without solder (3rd picture). Presumably they are not unique to Gretsch, but the replacement pup just comes with two wires. I would sooner not slice and splice the Broadtron wires so I can swap it back or on to something else if I choose to do so i the future. What are these adapters called? I will purchase some to attach to my new Filtertrons.


Thanks in advance.

 

[Dorudon]

Wow no takers....if people on here can't ad vise, not sure who can.

I notice i forgot to attach the photos, so will do that now

 

[DougWheeler74]

Sorry, for some reason, this just showed up in my 'New Posts'. The bigger washers look like they came from the output jack an the star washers from the pots. Same for nuts. This of course is assuming that they weren't in there loose form poor construction. That would have caused a rattle so probably not.

Depending on the number of nuts and washers, here would be the order Pot/Nut/flat washer/star washer/guitar/flat washer nut. The two nut approach allows you to set how much of the pot protrudes out of the guitar. A bit of pain in a hollowly, easy on a telecaster. The star washer should dig into the wood on the inside of the body, not on the outside.

Other may do it differently and I would like to hear their approach.

As for the connectors, I have wondered that as well. I have searched and found lots of connectors that one can use if they replaced both sides of the connection. I do wish Gretsch would sell their parts or at least list them somewhere..

 

[Dorudon]

Sorry, for some reason, this just showed up in my 'New Posts'. The bigger washers look like they came from the output jack an the star washers from the pots. Same for nuts. This of course is assuming that they weren't in there loose form poor construction. That would have caused a rattle so probably not.

Depending on the number of nuts and washers, here would be the order Pot/Nut/flat washer/star washer/guitar/flat washer nut. The two nut approach allows you to set how much of the pot protrudes out of the guitar. A bit of pain in a hollowly, easy on a telecaster. The star washer should dig into the wood on the inside of the body, not on the outside.

Other may do it differently and I would like to hear their approach.

As for the connectors, I have wondered that as well. I have searched and found lots of connectors that one can use if they replaced both sides of the connection. I do wish Gretsch would sell their parts or at least list them somewhere..

Thank-you so much for this, I am so grateful for your input. I was alarmed at the large quantity of these loose in my guitar, and I did not know where to start. Have you seen any article or video that might expand on this and / or go through the process.

You probably know this already, but for context this guitar has 2 volume knobs and 2 tone controls. There are not enough washers for all, so presumably some are for volume controls and some for tone controls. The washers are distinct eg. 2 star washers and 2 fabric washers. Do you have any idea on how I can identify which is associated with volume controls and which are associated with tone controls. I really made a lousy choice for my first pickup change. I actually thought it would be easier as there is no coil split required

 

[DougWheeler74]

I haven't had one of theses apart so I can't really say. Did you buy this guitar new or used? If used, it could be the previous owner put some of these in. Apparently Gretsch does some strange things occasionally. Let's see if @radd has any input.

 

[radd]

I’m not much help, sorry. I know that I take photos of all components before, during and after disassemble in order to assist the reassembly.

You pulled out the output jack, both the star washers are most likely intended for that item and go inside the guitar and one non star washer goes on the outside. The series of silver washers and thin nuts had to have come from outside the guitar, they look to be what holds your pots and are placed on the pots from the top.

I would not be to worried about getting each washer back in the exact location. just make sure everything is secure when tightened up, don’t over tighten.

Good luck.

 

[Dorudon]

I haven't had one of theses apart so I can't really say. Did you buy this guitar new or used? If used, it could be the previous owner put some of these in. Apparently Gretsch does some strange things occasionally. Let's see if @radd has any input.

No, it was brand new and I got a fantastic price on it. Just wanted to swap the broadtrons for filter trans and it should be near perfect

 

[Dorudon]

I haven't had one of theses apart so I can't really say. Did you buy this guitar new or used? If used, it could be the previous owner m

I’m not much help, sorry. I know that I take photos of all components before, during and after disassemble in order to assist the reassembly.

You pulled out the output jack, both the star washers are most likely intended for that item and go inside the guitar and one non star washer goes on the outside. The series of silver washers and thin nuts had to have come from outside the guitar, they look to be what holds your pots and are placed on the pots from the top.

I would not be to worried about getting each washer back in the exact location. just make sure everything is secure when tightened up, don’t over tighten.

Good luck.

No actually that is a lot of help. Between the two of you I'm getting close run closer I think. A couple of questions if I may: how do the star washers fit onto the jack inside the guitar -are they like the bread in a sandwich, and if so what goes between then? Any idea what the fabric washers do? They are most puzzling for me.

Thank-you again for your contribution.

 

[radd]

Place your output jack back in with the star washers temporarily and see how far out the threads are on the outside of your guitar. Could the plastic washers be spacers intended to reduce the amount of threads extended outside the guitar?……Just a thought.

 

[DougWheeler74]

It can be done a few different ways. I am attaching a quick drawing that might help. The star (lock) washer is meant to dig into the wood. It is braced by the nut. Sometimes a flat washer is used between the nut and the star washer. I agree with @radd, the plastic washer could be for spacing the jack length through the body.

I would count all the parts and figure out a logical place for each. Each pot would be the same with the star washer on the inside next to the wood. A flat washer and nut on the outside. I would not put a star washer on the outside for concern about cracking the finish.

 

[Randy99CL]

I'm amazed that no one has mentioned it yet but...many of us believe that a jack plate is a must on a semi or hollow guitar. It doesn't happen often but if your strap lets go the guitar often hits the floor right on the phone plug and breaks the wood.
I'm one of those who thinks the output jack looks naked without a plate. It is only inexpensive insurance and I think they look good. BTW the most expensive Gretsch usually come with jack plates.

Take the nut off the jack shaft and leave only the star washer on there, that should be enough length. I use a 1/16" drill for pilot holes for the screws and wax them before you install so they don't crack the wood.
I use these, very high quality.

 

[DougWheeler74]

I'm amazed that no one has mentioned it yet but...many of us believe that a jack plate is a must on a semi or hollow guitar. It doesn't happen often but if your strap lets go the guitar often hits the floor right on the phone plug and breaks the wood.
I'm one of those who thinks the output jack looks naked without a plate. It is only inexpensive insurance and I think they look good. BTW the most expensive Gretsch usually come with jack plates.

Take the nut off the jack shaft and leave only the star washer on there, that should be enough length. I use a 1/16" drill for pilot holes for the screws and wax them before you install so they don't crack the wood.
I use these, very high quality.
View attachment 215704
View attachment 215705

You are absolutely correct, I don't know why it didn't occur to mention it. I did this for my 2622.

 

[radd]

Jack plate, yup. I have put one on every hollow, or semi hollow body guitar I have owned.