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Topic: Gibson Century Questions and pics |
Raphael McGregor
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Posted 7 Feb 2020 5:28 pm |
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Hi all--I was recently contacted by someone who wanted me to check out their Gibson Century. I did a bunch of research, including looking at some of the great posts on here about it, and a wiring diagram made by Steve Aloha. Then I opened her up! Some funny stuff in there...the wiring definitely doesn't match the diagram Steve made, for one, and it doesn't ring continuity in the way that it should. It does work, but it produces almost no volume. Lots of scratchiness from the pots, of course.
There's also splices in wires that appear to be covered with masking tape where it should be heat shrink tape.
But best of all--the plate that holds the jack onto the guitar seems to have been replaced with some sort of piece of plastic that has words printed on the back of it. I can make out "Reservation Information" and some other words. Also, the second I plugged in a cable it cracked in half! So clearly not original high quality Gibson stuff.
So...I'm thinking that the volume problem comes from the incorrect wiring. Thoughts? Happy to be schooled here...
If anyone's interested, check out this link for some photos.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/8MQ727E1bcCDoTVw8 |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 8 Feb 2020 7:38 am
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I have a handful of Centurys and Ultratones from that era. Some are factory original, and their wiring looks little different from your photos -- a hodgepodge of pots, caps, wires, what appears to be masking tape, and aluminum foil.
Have you attempted to restore the pots? If they turn freely, a shot or two of Deoxit down the shaft, followed by vigorously working the pot back and forth, can work wonders.
If a pot won't turn at all, a tiny drop of light oil down the shaft may help loosen it up.
Most any standard Les Paul-style square, flat jack plate can be used as a replacement. A common replacement part, they're marketed by Gibson and countless other aftermarket vendors.
I also have blue Centurys and blonde Ultratones that were purchased as stripped carcasses and restored using all new electronic components. I followed Steve's wiring diagram, and they all sound excellent.
Postwar Gibson Ultratones and Centurys are sleepers. They are generally excellent sounding instruments, and with their relatively wide string spacing, are a pleasure to play. Good luck! |
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Raphael McGregor
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Posted 8 Feb 2020 7:45 am
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Thanks, Jack, yeah, I intend to work on the pots first, though I doubt that will fully solve the output problem. I've got a jack plate on the way as well.
I agree about the string spacing--super important for my playing, though this instrument won't end up being played by me. Ah well. |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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David Venzke
From:
SE Michigan, USA
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Posted 8 Feb 2020 8:37 am
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| First thing I always do is check the pickup output as directly as possible. Take a couple of test cables with alligator clips at each end and clip them to the outputs from the pickup. Then attach to a cable and plug into an amp. See if the pickup works. If not, the next thing I do is physically disconnect the pickup from the rest of the electronics and test again. If the pickup isn't putting out signal at this point, that's the first thing that needs to be fixed. Once you have a known working pickup, then address the wiring. |
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Raphael McGregor
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Posted 9 Feb 2020 6:30 am
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| Thanks for the advice, keep it coming! |
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Raphael McGregor
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Posted 9 Feb 2020 6:09 pm
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Tested pickup and can't get more than 3k on a multi-meter...so there is output but clearly not much. When I do it via the cable. I get a very strange assortment of readings depending on the position of the tone pots.
So if it comes to it (not there yet; still intend to clean pots, thoroughly check wiring, etc.) what would you recommend as a replacement pickup for this? |
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David Venzke
From:
SE Michigan, USA
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 9 Feb 2020 9:28 pm
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I would do likewise. |
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