I've been doing my own guitar re-wires of late.
The "Hondo" (US company) $25 Fender Strat copy I got from the old tip shop's been
OK up-until late, but the tone and volume pots were starting to get scratchy.
So re-wire time
![[Image: hondo_rewire_01.jpg]](http://www.goldcoastcb.com/images/hondo_rewire_01.jpg)
Had 500k pots in this. (adds more treble)
Fender single coils usually come out with 250k pots.
Had .047 capacitors on the tone pots.
Fender usually use one .022 cap on the last tone pot,
but this wiring has three caps on all three pots.
![[Image: hondo_rewire_02.jpg]](http://www.goldcoastcb.com/images/hondo_rewire_02.jpg)
Another view of the original wiring.
![[Image: hondo_rewire_03.jpg]](http://www.goldcoastcb.com/images/hondo_rewire_03.jpg)
Two new Jap made 250k pots.
The middle pot is now a hole filler.
I went for the one tone control option (.022 cap) that affects all three
pickups which in theory makes life easier. (yes, but with less tone combo choices)
The earth wire to the tremolo isn't installed here yet. If folks are doing their own mods,
make sure you earth out the hardware or risk death.
Schematic used: http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wir...ffswitches
![[Image: hondo_rewire_06.jpg]](http://www.goldcoastcb.com/images/hondo_rewire_06.jpg)
Pick-ups tested hot. Resistance is high at 8.5k to 8.8k
which is fine by me. I can lower them a bit for extra finger
picking clearance and added clean single coil quack.
Pickups overall width is wider and length slightly short than the standard gauge.
No junk ceramic bar magnets (come on, who used them in the 60's?)
on these. I'd say Alnico 5's, maybe Alnico 2
The pots are even waxed and have extra earth plates.
Who even does that on cheap guitars anymore?
![[Image: hondo_rewire_05.jpg]](http://www.goldcoastcb.com/images/hondo_rewire_05.jpg)
Hit up Jaycar for x3 spade mini toggles as well.
Now it sounds farking cool and kinda looks like Mark Knopfler's (Dire Straits) S8218 Strat with similar mini toggles installed.
Three toggles allows more pickup options e.g all pick ups off..or all on....or....bridge and neck pick ups on only...as well as the usual settings the original 5 way switch preformed.
El'cheapo guitar, but with the mods I'm happy to use this longer rather than run out and pay $800+ for the same sound from the real thing.
I'm looking for more practice, so if anyone out there wants a free standard or custom re-wire let me know and I'll hack ya axe
The "Hondo" (US company) $25 Fender Strat copy I got from the old tip shop's been
OK up-until late, but the tone and volume pots were starting to get scratchy.
So re-wire time

![[Image: hondo_rewire_01.jpg]](http://www.goldcoastcb.com/images/hondo_rewire_01.jpg)
Had 500k pots in this. (adds more treble)
Fender single coils usually come out with 250k pots.
Had .047 capacitors on the tone pots.
Fender usually use one .022 cap on the last tone pot,
but this wiring has three caps on all three pots.

![[Image: hondo_rewire_02.jpg]](http://www.goldcoastcb.com/images/hondo_rewire_02.jpg)
Another view of the original wiring.
![[Image: hondo_rewire_03.jpg]](http://www.goldcoastcb.com/images/hondo_rewire_03.jpg)
Two new Jap made 250k pots.
The middle pot is now a hole filler.
I went for the one tone control option (.022 cap) that affects all three
pickups which in theory makes life easier. (yes, but with less tone combo choices)
The earth wire to the tremolo isn't installed here yet. If folks are doing their own mods,
make sure you earth out the hardware or risk death.
Schematic used: http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wir...ffswitches
![[Image: hondo_rewire_06.jpg]](http://www.goldcoastcb.com/images/hondo_rewire_06.jpg)
Pick-ups tested hot. Resistance is high at 8.5k to 8.8k
which is fine by me. I can lower them a bit for extra finger
picking clearance and added clean single coil quack.
Pickups overall width is wider and length slightly short than the standard gauge.
No junk ceramic bar magnets (come on, who used them in the 60's?)
on these. I'd say Alnico 5's, maybe Alnico 2
The pots are even waxed and have extra earth plates.
Who even does that on cheap guitars anymore?

![[Image: hondo_rewire_05.jpg]](http://www.goldcoastcb.com/images/hondo_rewire_05.jpg)
Hit up Jaycar for x3 spade mini toggles as well.
Now it sounds farking cool and kinda looks like Mark Knopfler's (Dire Straits) S8218 Strat with similar mini toggles installed.
Three toggles allows more pickup options e.g all pick ups off..or all on....or....bridge and neck pick ups on only...as well as the usual settings the original 5 way switch preformed.
El'cheapo guitar, but with the mods I'm happy to use this longer rather than run out and pay $800+ for the same sound from the real thing.
I'm looking for more practice, so if anyone out there wants a free standard or custom re-wire let me know and I'll hack ya axe