JP6 push/pull pot mod installed!!!

[peat]

hey guys

ive been meaning to do this since the BFR JP was released
i really wanted to try some more pickup configurations

after a few years and much deliberation, i have finally worked up the courage and sourced all the necessary components!!

much thanks goes to MusicManJP6 for inspiration and schematics
and to ernie ball customer service for advising me on a few things.

the mod gives the following options:

pushed:
top = neck humbucker
middle = both humbuckers
bottom = bridge humbucker

pulled:
top = neck split
middle = both split
bottom = bridge split

ive photographed every step as to provide a sort of resource for anyone who wishes to perform this mod themselves

i did it myself as i am fairly confident with electronics and soldering etc..
and i really didnt want to take it to a tech, because the jp6 is most most prized possesion and i really dont trust anyone with it!!

heres the pics

original tone pot removed, Dimarzio push/pull 500K pot ready to go





the cavity with new pot in place





Dimazio pot screwed into place
i had to break a tiny little leg of metal off the dimarzio pot as it prohibited the pot from sitting flush with the inside of the cavity, it was only about 1-2mm long.




the two connections coming from the volume pot were a little short to reach the new pot
i figured i could bend the capacitor leg to reach, but i had to replace the white wire.




capacitor leg connected




heres the old white wire and its replacement




and now connected




next i connected both the bottom pins of the new pot to the earth of the guitar




another view




now i desoldered the red and green wires, coming from the bridge pickup, from the switch pcb




these two wires were then connected together and extended so they could reach the new pot




i then placed a small length of heat-shrink over the connection
i placed a piece of card behind the connection as i used the heat gun as to not damage the finish (that thing is hot!!)




next the white and black wires coming from the neck pickup were disconnected from the switch pcb




same treatment they were connected together and lengthened to reach the new pot




here are both the new connections




they were both then cut to length and connected to the new pot




here is the cavity after completion




the two new connections coming from both pickups




their connection to the new pot




down




up




down




up




the workshop



this also comes just after cleaning and lubricating the tremolo system
giving the neck a light sand and a coat of gunstock oil and gunstock wax
lemon oil, new strings, intonation reset

fantastic!!!!

[NorM]

Well documented sir.

[peat]

thanks norm

ive just been having a play with it
the pushed middle spot (both humbuckers) is awesome, very full yet still clean
and i cant say enough about the split neck tone, wow!!!

ill post some audio samples soon when i get the chance

[Phazer]

been wanting to do this for 2 years...hehe...still haven't got round to doing it though.
great job!

[lenny]

Sweet work !!! Great for the Techy crowd on here...i do my own wiring as well ...very clean work my friend ...very clean!

[peat]

thanks lenny,

Originally Posted by Phazer

been wanting to do this for 2 years...hehe...still haven't got round to doing it though.
great job!

should go for it
only took me about 1 hour
ive youve got some basic tools and a soldering iron around the place
the only cost is the pot, which was $30AUS

[beej]

Nicely done. Love the pics!

[MusicManJP6]

Finally!! Someone else has done this mod! I've had mine installed for exactly a year and love it!

For anyone interested here's a vid I posted right after I had the mod done:

YouTube - EBMM JP6 w/ push/pull pot - tone test

YouTube - EBMM JP6 w/ push/pull pot - tone test

Phazer - you REALLY need to let your tech have your baby for a few days and get this done!! You'll love it!! GUARANTEED!!

[Phazer]

I know Adam, but since I want to change the pick ups, I let him do that aswell, but I still don't know what pick ups to put in..

[MusicManJP6]

Originally Posted by Phazer

I know Adam, but since I want to change the pick ups, I let him do that aswell, but I still don't know what pick ups to put in..

I couldn't imagine changing pickups in my JP6! Have you tried changing the pickup height? You can use shims, tubing, washers, etc to shim them. I think I might shim my neck pickup just a little. Try loosening the screws and pulling the pickup toward the string (while the guitar is in your lap in playing position) to hear what change of tone this will offer. Best of luck!

FYI - I've got a Seymour Duncan pickup set for sale on eBay right now - it's a JB/59 set. I bet that would be a killer set in a JP!

[ScoobySteve]

Now that is the kind of meticulously documented workmanship that I can definitely tip my hat too!

Well done sir!

[threeminutesboy]

Indeed very nice thanks for sharing this

[sickindian]

Thats shocking for mebut impressive at the same time as im fussy with any mods on my JP6.

[peat]

dont be shocked or fussy with this one

a few minor changes and you basically have a new guitar again

[koogie2k]

Great work sir and thanks for sharing the very detailed pic with verbage. Rock on!