Thought I was done with my Mustang project… But No…Help Needed

[ejaggers]

As you all know, I converted a Bronco into a copy of a 1979 Competition Mustang. And all is well except for two small problems:
1. The action is too high even with the saddles as low as they can go.
2. The tone knob does not change the tone much if at all.

So I will need to shim the neck, and replace the electronics. Here's my Q's:
1. What material have you used to shim?
2. What type of Pots/Cap were used in the '70's Mustang?

I was under the impression that a pot either works, or it didn't, but not changing the tone at all is confusing.

057912

 

[scuzzy]

You can use most anything to shim a neck. Fender has used cardboard from the factory. Some have used a piece of sandpaper. I use cut credit card with success. Wood veneer is a good option as well.

I would confirm the tone pot is wired correctly and that the capacitor is present and wired correctly as well. It's a simple circuit, likely a simple resolution.

Looks great!

 

[ejaggers]

You can use most anything to shim a neck. Fender has used cardboard from the factory. Some have used afraid if sandpaper. I use cut credit card with success. Wood veneer is a good option as well.

I would confirm the tone pot is wired correctly and that the capacitor is present and wired correctly as well. It's a simple circuit, likely a simple resolution.

Looks great!

Thanks scuzzy,

The luthier who made the PG installed the PUP without me requesting this. And charged me too.
I was a little bit pissed to pay $30 for soldering two wires, but the PG came out so good, I let it slide.

It may be a bad assumption that he checked everthing so you may be right about something not correct.
I still want to replace the wiring harness with the same values the '70s Mustang had though.

 

[Bass V]

sounds like you may need to get that $30 back
I like beer / soda cans for shims, no compression and easily shaped with scissors or folded etc.

 

[ejaggers]

sounds like you may need to get that $30 back
I like beer / soda cans for shims, no compression and easily shaped with scissors or folded etc.

Thanks Bass V,

Wish I could get that $$$ back.

He told me he'd make me a wiring harness for free on my next project, because he knew I didn't leave the PUP to be installed,
it was to help him make the PG. But he's missing in action now, and even if I found him, would he remember?

I've found info on '70s P wiring, but no Mustang yet. My guess would be .047 and 250k.
Does anyone think 500k is a bad idea?
Do I use linear or audio?

 

[Axstar]

I've found info on '70s P wiring, but no Mustang yet. My guess would be .047 and 250k.
Does anyone think 500k is a bad idea?
Do I use linear or audio?

Linear or audio (log) pots is something of a matter of personal taste. Linear pots have a slower sweep. If you don't like volume pots that seem to do most of the work between 8 - 10 on the dial then a linear pot might do the job. I have linear pots in one instrument and I like the level of control they offer, but it does mean you have to turn the knobs more to roll back the volume.

If your tone knob isn't doing much then it might simply be wired incorrectly. I would simply use a clear Fender Precision wiring scheme as, electronically, the basses are the same thing.

Fender used ceramic disk capacitors in the 1970s, and in Mustangs (and others) this was a 0.05 uF capacitor. The pots would be splined 250 k ohm units, manufactured by CTS.

As such, your 0.047 uF capacitor is as close to 0.05 uF as you need. 250 k pots are more traditional as well.

 

[ejaggers]

Linear or audio (log) pots is something of a matter of personal taste. Linear pots have a slower sweep. If you don't like volume pots that seem to do most of the work between 8 - 10 on the dial then a linear pot might do the job. I have linear pots in one instrument and I like the level of control they offer, but it does mean you have to turn the knobs more to roll back the volume.

If your tone knob isn't doing much then it might simply be wired incorrectly. I would simply use a clear Fender Precision wiring scheme as, electronically, the basses are the same thing.

Fender used ceramic disk capacitors in the 1970s, and in Mustangs (and others) this was a 0.05 uF capacitor. The pots would be splined 250 k ohm units, manufactured by CTS.

As such, your 0.047 uF capacitor is as close to 0.05 uF as you need. 250 k pots are more traditional as well.

I went with the 250K audio and .047, and since I don't solder worth a crap I took it to my local luthier to make the wiring hasness, and he's going to shim and set it up cheap.
I'll pick it up Monday.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Thanks Axstar for your help.