question regarding swapping pups in a newport

[Citrus]

Want to try something different than the phat cats, but.......

don't want to have to deal with the hassle of re-installing the whole magilla

Thinking of just clipping the wires close to the pups, and then just splicing wires.

1st pups to try will be either a pair of Seths, or just a Seth in the bridge.

Any advice/warnings/helpful hints etc

[Joe G]

Might want to make sure the seths are potted before you put 'em in. I have seths in my Newport pro and they howl when you turn it up.

[murkat]

I'll do it.

install and pot pickups

[JohnnyB]

I'd rather shop for an amp to get a better match to the Phat Cats than replace the Phat Cats. They are some of the liveliest, most responsive pickups I've ever played through. I've gotten incredible sound with some amps (Mesa DC-10, Gibson Goldtone 2x12 (Trace Elliott re-badge), Traynor YCV-40) and so-so with others (Top Hat Club Deluxe). it's a matter of matching the tonal balance of the Phat Cats with the tonal balance of the amp. It's worth the trouble because the dynamics of the Phat Cats are hard to equal, let alone beat.

[velorush]

None of my business, do what you like, etc., but don't clip the wires just because it's inconvenient.

That guitar is worth doing it right!

Take your time, Google the 'string method' - Before removing the stock harness:

Pulling the freshly soldered RS Guitarworks Modern Upgrade harness in (note the strings attached to the pots are also sticking out of the respective holes in the guitar):

Allows you to pull the wiring harness back through the same holes as they came. I've also seen surgical tubing used; not sure how the two would compare.

[Gino]

I did the string method in the past but then I tried plastic hoses instead - the kind you use for aquariums. Works like a charm (you pull the end of the hose over the pot axle) and you don't have to worry how to fix the string to the pots. Also, for the input jack I made myself a little thingy where I soldered a piece of stiff electrical wire (it's called NYM over here...) to a filed down phone plug. Got that idea from one of Dan Erlewine's guitar maintance books.