New PUP Suggestion for my Avion Series AV3 Electric Guitar

[Wittgenstein]

I snagged a brand new Greg Bennett Avion AV3 off ebay for $90 shipped. It was listed as a used AV1 but came as a AV3 new in box with all stickers and protective plastic covers. I could not be more pleased with this guitar, especially the setup. I figured I would need to intonate and fix the action, but it came dead on from the factory. It comes with Grover tuners and dual cheap humbucker pickups.

The only complaint that I have is the neck pickup (rhythm) sounds too bassy and distorted out of my Fender amps (5F1 & 5E3). The bridge pickup (treble) gives a nice almost "single coil" clean tone much like my buddies tele on the bridge pickup. As it is now, I never play on the neck pickup, and rarely in the middle position with both humbuckers.

I am looking for any suggestions on what would be a good replacement neck pickup to drop in, or if I should just replace both at the same time. I have seen a few people (on other forums) that have changed out their pups, but they have all been heavy metal players, and I am not. I know that it comes down to what sounds "I" like best, but I am asking you gurus for your first hand experience and preferences.

[big_teee]

I snagged a brand new Greg Bennett Avion AV3 off ebay for $90 shipped. It was listed as a used AV1 but came as a AV3 new in box with all stickers and protective plastic covers. I could not be more pleased with this guitar, especially the setup. I figured I would need to intonate and fix the action, but it came dead on from the factory. It comes with Grover tuners and dual cheap humbucker pickups.

The only complaint that I have is the neck pickup sounds too bassy and distorted out of my Fender amps (5F1 & 5E3). The bridge pickup gives a nice almost "single coil" clean tone much like my buddies tele on the bridge pickup. As it is now, I never play on the neck pickup, and rarely in the middle position with both humbuckers.

I am looking for any suggestions on what would be a good replacement neck pickup to drop in, or if I should just replace both at the same time. I have seen a few people (on other forums) that have changed out their pups, but they have all been heavy metal players, and I am not. I know that it comes down to what sounds "I" like best, but I am asking you gurus for your first hand experience and preferences.

Usually when I do work on a import guitar, I tear it all out and start from scratch.
I put a good Jack, switch some good quality 500k Pots, Rewire everything with good quality shielded wire.
Your pickup selection is endless with humbuckers.
Duncans, Dimarzio, Stewmac, Mojo, and most of the winders that reside here.
My preference, is a low wound melodic Neck P/U, and a Hotter than Hell Bridge P/U!
Good Luck,
T

[Wittgenstein]

That is what I was afraid I would be told... haha. I was trying to save myself the time / money, but I do agree that it would be nice to change out the cheap toggle switch, jack, and mini pots. Do you have a suggestion on what shielded wire to use and where to get it?

I am new to messing around in electric guitars, but I am a pretty fast learner and this is a great cheap guitar to learn on. I am looking to start winding my own pups, but just for fun and not for this guitar. I am interested in buying from a winder on MEF if anyone has any suggestions.

[David Schwab]

I'd start by removing the cover from the neck pickup. That should open up the tone. That's why people started taking the covers off in the first place. They make the pickup sound darker.

[Wittgenstein]

I'd start by removing the cover from the neck pickup. That should open up the tone. That's why people started taking the covers off in the first place. They make the pickup sound darker.

Nice... I will defiantly give that a shot, but I know they are cheap Greg Bennett humbuckers. Any problems with moving my bridge pickup to the neck position and dropping in a new pup into the bridge spot?

[David Schwab]

Any problems with moving my bridge pickup to the neck position and dropping in a new pup into the bridge spot?

No. They might be the same pickup. Check them out with a meter. The bridge pickup is often wound hotter, but these might not be.

[Wittgenstein]

No. They might be the same pickup. Check them out with a meter. The bridge pickup is often wound hotter, but these might not be.

Thanks for the quick reply. If this was your guitar, what pups would you use?

[copperheadroads]

If your not a metal player I would rewire it 50's wiring & like Terry said there are lots of winders here or if your on a budget I would look for a used Duncan pickup, pearly gates neck of your looking for the classic PAF tone

[Steve Conner]

I'm a big fan of the Duncan Alnico 2 Pro neck pickup. It works great with my tube amps.

[David Schwab]

Thanks for the quick reply. If this was your guitar, what pups would you use?

My own!

Otherwise I also like the Duncan Alnico II pros.

[ken]

I don't even look at a guitar electrically anymore, to me all that I use is the wooden parts.

Once I get the guitar home, I strip all the electronics out and replace it with my own pickups and wiring.

My wife jokes that if I ever bought SRV's original Strat I would strip it out just like all the others...

ken

[Wittgenstein]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I need to go the music store and play on some different pickups to get a feel for what I like. I am definitely leaning towards the Duncan Alnico II pros or pearly gates though.

I have been watching videos and reading up on changing out the electronics on a guitar, but I still need to open mine up to find out what size parts will fit. From what I have read, it seems that the switchcraft and CST pots holes might need to be enlarged, and I was looking for drop in parts.

As far as the wiring diagram and soldering I feel pretty confident in my skills. I think I might try changing out all the electronics and taking the cover off before I throw down on a $75 or more pup.

2h_2v_2t_3w(1).pdf - PDF of Wiring Diagram

[big_teee]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I need to go the music store and play on some different pickups to get a feel for what I like. I am definitely leaning towards the Duncan Alnico II pros or pearly gates though.

I have been watching videos and reading up on changing out the electronics on a guitar, but I still need to open mine up to find out what size parts will fit. From what I have read, it seems that the switchcraft and CST pots holes might need to be enlarged, and I was looking for drop in parts.

As far as the wiring diagram and soldering I feel pretty confident in my skills. I think I might try changing out all the electronics and taking the cover off before I throw down on a $75 or more pup.

[ATTACH]19932[/ATTACH] - PDF of Wiring Diagram

I've used all kinds of Pots, the 8mm Alphas are not bad.
The CTSs are better, but have larger bushings, and usually have to be drilled out.
With Import Strats, you usually have to dremel out room for the big Pots.
Good Luck,
T

[Wittgenstein]

Thanks again for the all the suggestions. I decided to take your advice and replace all the electronics before I bother with anything else.

I thought I would post here before I make the purchase to see if anyone had any advise. I figure while I have everything out, I might as well shield it up. I know it will not matter as much as it does on a strat with single coils, but I could use the practice. The shield kit does come with wire, but I really like the clean look of the 4-conductor shielded wire.




Here is what I am looking at:
Switchcraft Mono Input Jack - $3.64
4 x CTS Control Pot (Long Split Shaft) 500K - $7.95 each
2 x Orange Drop 0.022uF Caps - $2.79 each
Switchcraft Toggle 3-way Tall Chrome Switch - $18.95

4-Conductor Circuit Wire - 25-ft - $26.83
Self-Adhesive Shielding Tape Kit - $21.95
Total = $108.75

[big_teee]

Thanks again for the all the suggestions. I decided to take your advice and replace all the electronics before I bother with anything else.

I thought I would post here before I make the purchase to see if anyone had any advise. I figure while I have everything out, I might as well shield it up. I know it will not matter as much as it does on a strat with single coils, but I could use the practice. The shield kit does come with wire, but I really like the clean look of the 4-conductor shielded wire.




Here is what I am looking at:
Switchcraft Mono Input Jack - $3.64
4 x CTS Control Pot (Long Split Shaft) 500K - $7.95 each
2 x Orange Drop 0.022uF Caps - $2.79 each
Switchcraft Toggle 3-way Tall Chrome Switch - $18.95

4-Conductor Circuit Wire - 25-ft - $26.83
Self-Adhesive Shielding Tape Kit - $21.95
Total = $108.75

[ATTACH=CONFIG]22121[/ATTACH]

That is a lot of money just to rewire an import.
If the guitar cavity was coated with shielded paint don't bother with the shielding foil.
Also most imports use short shaft pots, not long shaft.
Foil does not work easily or IMO work well in a LP.
You could buy one of these and just install as is.
Les Paul 3-Way Short Shaft Guitar Wiring Harness Kit
You can get it built and soldered together, or it would be cheaper to build it yourself.
Good Luck,