Gibson 500T Repair/Modification:

Inspector #20

Inspector #20

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So, this Gibson 500T/496R pair I picked up needs a little work. If I flex the lead where it enters the baseplate, the ohms reading drops to zero - only on the 500T. I'm thinking, Ok, I need to pull the cover and flip the magnet, then repair the lead...need more desoldering braid!!!!

gihcng1ays84srotvbus.jpg
 
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Robert Herndon said:
So, this Gibson 500T/496R pair I picked up needs a little work. If I flex the lead where it enters the baseplate, the ohms reading drops to zero. I'm thinking, Ok, I need to pull the cover and flip the magnet, then repair the lead...need more desoldering braid!!!!

gihcng1ays84srotvbus.jpg
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If the Ohms reading is dropping to zero it is because the lead is being shorted to ground when you flex it. Reversing the magnet will do nothing. The lead just needs to be repaired.
 
Robert Herndon said:
Do you guys like to add wax when the cover is installed????
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What I do when installing covers is to get a small piece of that fine, loose weave cotton gauze type bandage that they use in hospital s etc, an inch to inch & half length is plenty. I fold it into a Z form & flatten to end up about 1/4" wide, then lay lengthwise along the top of the bobbins so it covers a little of both bobbins. Then drip a little hot wax onto it so it soaks into the gauze & cools. Place the cover on & warm enough to melt the wax in the gauze & clamp the cover down while it cools. Once cool you can solder the cover to the baseplate. Works well & 3 layers of gauze is not very thick. Hope this helps. Cheers
 
ivan H said:
What I do when installing covers is to get a small piece of that fine, loose weave cotton gauze type bandage that they use in hospital s etc, an inch to inch & half length is plenty. I fold it into a Z form & flatten to end up about 1/4" wide, then lay lengthwise along the top of the bobbins so it covers a little of both bobbins. Then drip a little hot wax onto it so it soaks into the gauze & cools. Place the cover on & warm enough to melt the wax in the gauze & clamp the cover down while it cools. Once cool you can solder the cover to the baseplate. Works well & 3 layers of gauze is not very thick. Hope this helps. Cheers
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Won't this cover some screws? By "Z" formation, do you mean at a 90 degree angle? Do you have a pic of the gauze in place? I could not find it on Google.
 
RVA said:
Won't this cover some screws? By "Z" formation, do you mean at a 90 degree angle? Do you have a pic of the gauze in place? I could not find it on Google.
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I wasn't sure how to describe it, but I fold it into 3 layers, so it ends up about 1/4" wide (1 1/2" long), so when layed on top of the bobbins it only cover a small portion of the centre of each bobbin, between the slugs & screw poles. I could maybe find a piece of gauze & photograph this afternoon if needed. Cheers
 
ivan H said:
I wasn't sure how to describe it, but I fold it into 3 layers, so it ends up about 1/4" wide (1 1/2" long), so when layed on top of the bobbins it only cover a small portion of the centre of each bobbin, between the slugs & screw poles. I could maybe find a piece of gauze & photograph this afternoon if needed. Cheers
Click to expand...
No, I got it now. Thanks!
 
Right where the braid is soldered to the base plate, there was a bare section in the cloth jacket. In certain positions, this would expose the conductor and it would ground out. My plan is to collapse the braid - like a Chinese Finger Trap - and feed a new section of cloth wire into the braid...
 
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Robert Herndon said:
Right where the braid is soldered to the base plate, there was a bare section in the cloth jacket. In certain positions, this would expose the conductor and it would ground out. My plan is to collapse the braid - like a Chinese Finger Trap - and feed a new section of cloth wire into the braid...
Click to expand...

You can buy lengths of braided wire from Stew-Mac to replace the whole thing.
 
Once inside, I found a problem. The wire coming off one coil broke during handling. I spot-soldered it to the larger wire that exits the coil, then twisted the wire to wind the thin copper strand around it, adding solder to keep the winds closed. All the tape around the coils was reusable. I trimmed the end of the braid and I think I can reuse it...
 
smitty_p said:
You can buy lengths of braided wire from Stew-Mac to replace the whole thing.
Click to expand...

Yes. I wish I had some on hand, but I'm gonna finish up with what I have for now rather than leave the pickup apart.

What's minimum lead length to use in a Les Paul????
 
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