Dipping my toe into the money pit that is upgrading a guitar, I have acquired a 2009 Yamaha Pacifica 112 in natural for the measly sum of £50. I was going to go down the Harley Benton Kit route as a first attempt, then this came up even cheaper. I know from experience that the Pacifica is a decent standard guitar for the money, so I thought, what the hell, lets take it apart.
The neck is decent, with nice level frets that are in dire need of a polish, and a fingerboard as dry as a stick.
So, the plan. If I can source a scratchplate that fits, (I'm pretty certain the 611 scratchplate is identical in size, but has the correct hole for the P90) I plan to replace the middle and neck single coils with a P90, and replace the stock bridge humbucker with a half decent replacement.
I plan to replace the pots with CTS models, and have done some research into the why's and wherefores of 500k v 250k pots. The general , (and I mean general) rule of thumb seems to be 500k for humbuckers and 250k for single coils. Now As you're aware the Pacifica 112 only has one tone pot, so, which to go for? The 250k or the 500k? Or would it be best at this stage to add another tone pot and have 500k for the humbucker, and 250k for the P90. I should add that I'm not a fan of bright jangly sounds, preferring a warmer tone. There is plenty of room for another pot, so maybe this would be the best way forward.
Your thoughts appreciated.
Comments
Tonight is earmarked for sanding the body.
I have a 311. The 611 has a Duncan Custom 5 Trembucker so I tried one. Lo and behold, it suited my instrument perfectly.
For what it is worth, I am contemplating installing a ‘Tron or Dyna-Sonic type pickup in my PAC311. Hence, its 4-ply red torty scratchplate could become available to trade.
EDIT: My PAC 311H scratchplate is the same outline as the revised PAC112. (Humbucker in a mounting surround. Any other pickups through the reduced scratchplate.) This will not suit a 2009 PAC112.
As for "when am I ready?" You'll never be ready. It works in reverse, you become ready by doing it. - pmbomb