[Urgentish] Pots won't fit!

[TauSigmaNova]

Was installing new pickups into my Damien Platinum. Long story short, took out the old 25Ks and put in the 500k DiMarzio pots i purchases but they don't fit .Too wide to fit in the hole and they're too wide for the knob to fit around. Instead of having to deal with a crisis and drill a hole into my guitar [somethin I /really/ don't want to do], what do I do? How will I know if the pots I buy will fit? Can I just go to Radioshack and pick up new 500k pots?

Also, the drill I have at home is rather large and cumbersome so I have no idea how to easily solder my bridge ground connection without having to buy a new drill or anything major. Is there anything else I can solder it to or do as a substitute? [Sorry if this is a complete noob question Just wanna get my guitar running normally again and am anxious to play my new PUs.]

 

[bouVIP]

Get Alpha 500k pots

STEWMAC.COM - Alpha Control Pots

They are the same size as 25K 1s

 

[TauSigmaNova]

Get Alpha 500k pots

STEWMAC.COM - Alpha Control Pots

They are the same size as 25K 1s

Should work. Only thing is I'll have to wait a good week or so until they come.


And the fact it costs more to ship than to buy but I guess it's my only choice.

 

[7stg]

I always use these pots PDB183-GTR01-504A2 Bourns | Mouser

To drill the ground use a long drill bit and a bit extender so you can get a lower angle going in Shop IRWIN 1/4-in Hex Quick Connect 12-in Drill Bit Extension at Lowes.com

 

[cardinal]

The Dimarzio pots (and most USA pots) just have a slightly wider diameter. I think it's easiest to widen the holes using a drill and a 3/8" drill bit: run the drill BACKWARDS into the existing hole. Run it down the hole about half way from one side and then drill from the other side the rest of the way. Should give you a nice, clean 3/8" hole for the new pots to fit.

 

[TauSigmaNova]

Ordered a pair of Alphas, waiting for them to ship. Hope it all goes well.

 

[TauSigmaNova]

Same problem. The alphas don't fit, and barely by a bit-both knobs and the holes.

Level if infuriation: over9000.

 

[7stg]

Same problem. The alphas don't fit, and barely by a bit-both knobs and the holes.

Level of infuriation: over9000.

Get calipers and measure the shaft on the one that fit. If you don't have calipers maybe there is one in the store packed in such a way that you could get the measurement. Then find one that matches.

 

[Der JD]

I always just take a drill bit and turn it slowly by hand to make holes for pots wider. Only takes a few seconds. I've done it many times without any issues.

 

[TauSigmaNova]

Went to my shop teacher and asked for advice. Gave me a piece of sandpaper and told me to widen it with that. It worked. Looks like I need to get some extra wire to wire the bridge ground and to wire the two pots together. I'm way in over my head.

 

[7stg]

I use 22awg stranded wire from radio shack.

 

[TauSigmaNova]

Something like this? NTE 25-Ft. 300V 22AWG Stranded Wire - 90° C (Blue) : Hookup wire | RadioShack.com

 

[TauSigmaNova]

Its going. Trying to drill the hole to the bridge but I'm just so uncomfortable doing this. I have 2 partial holes at bad angles and I just can't do this. Could I just ground it to the metal on the battery box or something? Any suggestions? My drill is too bulky and dull to get this done.

 

[TRENCHLORD]

Carvin's pots are even smaller shafted than the EMG pots.
Sandpaper, file, drill, basically anything if you're careful.

 

[7stg]

Something like this? NTE 25-Ft. 300V 22AWG Stranded Wire - 90° C (Blue) : Hookup wire | RadioShack.com

Sure that will work. I get the 4 color pack - 75-Ft. UL-Recognized Hookup Wire (22AWG) : Hookup Wiring | RadioShack.com

Its going. Trying to drill the hole to the bridge but I'm just so uncomfortable doing this. I have 2 partial holes at bad angles and I just can't do this. Could I just ground it to the metal on the battery box or something? Any suggestions? My drill is too bulky and dull to get this done.

To drill the ground use a long drill bit and a bit extender so you can get a lower angle going in Shop IRWIN 1/4-in Hex Quick Connect 12-in Drill Bit Extension at Lowes.com you might need a long drill bit. I doubt you will be able to drill 2 holes and meet in the middle.

If you don't have a multimeter get a cheep one that can test continuity. This is a good starter kit Greenlee- Tk-30. This is what I started with and it's the best value for the multimeter alone and even better as electrical starter kit.

 

[TauSigmaNova]

Sure that will work. I get the 4 color pack - 75-Ft. UL-Recognized Hookup Wire (22AWG) : Hookup Wiring | RadioShack.com


To drill the ground use a long drill bit and a bit extender so you can get a lower angle going in Shop IRWIN 1/4-in Hex Quick Connect 12-in Drill Bit Extension at Lowes.com you might need a long drill bit. I doubt you will be able to drill 2 holes and meet in the middle.

I'll see, I can try home depot and hope I find it. Still shaky about just messing with my guitar with a drill. Oh well, really no way around it.

 

[TauSigmaNova]

Soldered everything but the ground to bridge. Plugged into my old mg15 - it hums but no sound from the strings

 

[7stg]

I'll see, I can try home depot and hope I find it. Still shaky about just messing with my guitar with a drill. Oh well, really no way around it.

The body of the drill won't allow the angle you need, an extender allows a better angle. If you see an extender with better clearance in the store get that one.

You will need that multimeter to make sure you are wiring things correctly. It will save you frustration.

 

[TauSigmaNova]

The body of the drill won't allow the angle you need, an extender allows a better angle. If you see an extender with better clearance in the store get that one.

You will need that multimeter to make sure you are wiring things correctly. It will save you frustration.

I don't have a multimeter and I'm running low on my guitar budget after the pickups, soldering gear, extra wires, and etc. Might just consider taking it to a pro next week and just paying them copious amounts of money to fix it all. I'm using a stereo plug- did I solder to the wrong hot output? There was two and I soldered to one of them. Should I have soldered to the other?

 

[TauSigmaNova]

Jack wiring.