Ernie Ball Music Man JP6 Restoration Project!

[Jack FFR1846]

Sounds great. I always love finding what actually caused a problem. Both you and I have figured out how much it really costs to restore a guitar. With what I've spent on my sub 1 (putting it back together with it's second finish and more mods), I could have just bought that Axis Sport I saw a few months ago......

 

[ScoobySteve]

I can't believe this thread started around the time I started hanging around here. <3 this thread!

 

[Morbid]

Hey, the mighty Morbid is back

Mmmhh, that really sounds like that switch hit the eternal hunting grounds Too bad....

Good to see you too sir! I looked at that writeup you did for my restoration again. Still makes me feel warm and fuzzy

3rd Highest most viewed thread in the guitar section !!!

Only because I'm a procrastinator and it took me a year to finish this guitar, haha. How's the revamped Krylon Dream, crap, I mean Mystic Dream treating ya?

Sounds great. I always love finding what actually caused a problem. Both you and I have figured out how much it really costs to restore a guitar. With what I've spent on my sub 1 (putting it back together with it's second finish and more mods), I could have just bought that Axis Sport I saw a few months ago......

I like finding what caused a problem, but not searching for it, haha. At least not in tight spaces like Electronic Cavities and such.

The cost thing had definitely come to mind with this restoration project. At the end of it all the whole thing cost me about $900, almost what I could have gotten a normal one for on ebay after looking for the right deal. The project was originally supposed to be a way that I could get a beloved JP6 for cheap! haha.
The other side of that is though, I still saved some money, and even though it's not perfect like one from the shop would be, I still now have hours of experience in a guitar restoration and a custom job I can truly call my own. The hours of experience is worth a pretty large chunk of change all on it's own, so I'm not complainin

I can't believe this thread started around the time I started hanging around here. <3 this thread!

Haha, it's almost disappointing how long it took me to do this guitar! But now I'm back again for at least some short and quick updating.

So here's the update...I just got off the phone with Ernie Ball to place an order for a new switch...$25.00 + $7.50 shipping.

Anyone got a spare layin around?

I guess that must be a fair price, but geez. I hate to spend $32 on something I already have, just cuz mine broke. And it's so tiny!! lol

So I'm gonna take some time to think on that before placing the order...Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Morbid]

Went ahead and bit the bullet to order the switch. I'll let ya guys know when it arrives and how all the rewiring goes!

 

[Sticky1973]

Went ahead and bit the bullet to order the switch.

Good man.

After all that hard work, it's the way forward.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Only because I'm a procrastinator and it took me a year to finish this guitar, haha. How's the revamped Krylon Dream, crap, I mean Mystic Dream treating ya?

It's all ok - I have a small problem with the wire that goes to the PCB of the Piezo. I've repaired it once but the same problem has re occurred - I know how to fix it and will do it on the next string change.

Anyone got a spare layin around?

Yeah, but it's the broke one I took out of mine.
Price seems ok for the switch though and glad you ordered it.

 

[Morbid]

Still no switch Tomorrow maybe

 

[e.mate]

My Brother, patience is the art of the motivated

 

[Morbid]

Switch came this afteroon. I'll be stopping by radioshack tomorrow to get some new wire to rewire the guitar. Since I'll have it apart, why not, right?

So, what gauge wire should I use fellas?

 

[Spudmurphy]

Snip a bit off between two soldered joints and ask the guy in the store to match it, perhaps?

 

[Morbid]

Good idea Spud. I ended up with .22 gauge.

Earlier today, I caught something that I originally missed...a wire that came unsoldered from my pickup switch. It was hidden under the other wires, and was VERY close to the solder point (separated by barely 2cm)which is why I didn't catch it before. Touched the wire back to the solder point with the guitar plugged in, and vuala...Mesa and Ernie Ball tone galore.

Never the less, I said earlier in the thread that my wiring was in need of a redo anyway.

So, I went out today before and after work to my local Radio Shack. Today I bought a new soldering iron, solder, solder flux, shrink tubing and new wiring.

Time to redo my wiring job the RIGHT way!

So I get the guitar apart, start the rewiring process and my brand new soldering iron has now died 30 minutes into the process.

Son of a bitch...

 

[Spudmurphy]

^ great stuff - I hope you got yourself a "solder sucker" too? -it makes your life a whole lot easier. Glad you found the "renegade" wire.

 

[fsmith]

Kevin,
Solder suckers were always hit or miss way back when I used to do board level electronic repairs. I've since become a big fan of solder wick... I think it's a lot quicker and neater and I can get into tighter spots. If you can hit it with an iron you can desolder it.

 

[Morbid]

Well boys, got the guitar 'ironed' out, lol. Returned the POS Soldering Iron to Radio Shack and spent $10 more on a much better one (Weller Brand)at Home Depot. This thing makes soldering a breeze! And ya can't beat the 7 year warranty. I do have an older Solder Sucker, but it was only necessary a couple of times. Actually, maybe not even necessary, I just wanted to use it, lol.

The long and short of it is, the guitar is back in working order. Turns out I didn't need the new switch after all. Kind of a shame, but it's my fault for overlooking the bad wire in the first place. Guess this just grants me a spare, or a part for a future project, who knows.

The strange issue with the volume not going all the way out in the PIezo Jack still remains...I'm just assuming this is something beyond my repair, but at the moment, it doesn't bother me. If it bothers me in the future, I'll go from there.

There's a couple of spots on the guitar I'd like to have touched up. Just so happens I'll be having some spots on my truck touched up as well in the future (same color code for guitar and truck)so I'll have my Paint Guy do both at the same time. From there, I intend on taking some new pics of the guitar. Better lighting and such.

Until then, I guess this wraps up the thread again for a bit. Anyone got any busted up EBMM JP guitars they wanna sell me cheap? Maybe even a Sterling Model? I could use a new JP Project!

 

[Spudmurphy]

Kevin,
Solder suckers were always hit or miss way back when I used to do board level electronic repairs. I've since become a big fan of solder wick... I think it's a lot quicker and neater and I can get into tighter spots. If you can hit it with an iron you can desolder it.

Can't argue with your soldering skills Fred - not after you did a fine job on the pickup replacement in my JP6 before you shipped it to me

I do a lot of soldering in my stained glass projects, where I solder Copper foil or lead came - I tried that "wick stuff" and couldn't get on with it.- - but I still have it and will try it again for electrical work - but I do like my solder pump.

Interestingly enough my mate - an amp tech bought himself a de soldering station - it's real "wizz bang" and does a great job of getting rid of old solder

 

[Morbid]

UPDATE: Dream Theater will be in Florida toward the end of October!

The 2 times I've been fortunate enough to meet John have been at a clinic in Seminole (Tampa area)just hours before their show that evening in Clearwater. So needless to say, I'm PRAYING for a Clinic again this year! I'll be bringing the Ernie Ball to the talented gentlemen who painted it, to have him prep the headstock for John's signature.

I'll let you guys know how it goes!

 

[jakedawgwhite88]

Very Very Cool anticipating it what color .... and will you get it clear coated afterward

 

[Morbid]

I was actually debating on the color...I think a Silver Marker would show up best, but if I could find a white one I'd jump on it. Maybe I'll hit the local arts and crafts store tomorrow and seek one out. I'm open to color suggestions though.

And yes, DEFINITELY gonna get it clear coated. I don't want that signature going ANYWHERE. Maybe I should have John write "Ernie Ball Music Man" in the center for me, haha. Hey now, I actually like that idea.....

 

[threeminutesboy]

fantastic end for a fantastic project!

 

[Morbid]

Here's a recent shot of the guitar

And with the rig!