Adding a volume knob

[clr]

My new member of the family
www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ESP-LTD-Viper100FM-Electric-Guitar?sku=516634
for 175 dollars with a gig bag. I love used stuff.

With cheap guitars, I won't care much. I would like to experiment. Right now it has a 3 way selector switch with a master volume and tone. I want to add a separate volume knob for the other pickup.

What I would like to figure out is at least a diagram for the described wiring. I've been looking at Les Paul diagrams as it is similar to what I want to do minus the extra tone knob. I know I'll probably have to drill a visible hole in the body (its a first for me!)

What is the cost for a 500k audio pot? What - of anything - should I be careful about drilling a hole in the guitar, and a wiring diagram would be nice too:)
Thanks

[kuzi16]

pots are cheap... 5-10 (at most)

when drilling a hole i like to go from the front because if you do accidentally push too hard the chipped wood is on the inside.

also make sure placement is correct about a dozen times. if you have a knob that looks off just a bit it may bug you forever. It would bug me if it was my guitar.

[bentfender]

Not necessary to even drill. you could run each pickup on its own vol pot Then loose the 3-way switch and put the extra pot up there. Since what your wanting to do is blend between two pickups then the 3-way switch becomes moot. And if you do still want switching you could utilize push/pull potentiometers and have your cake and eat it too.

.»º©º« Bent »º©º«.

[clr]

bentfender said:

3-way switch becomes moot.

*cough*killswitch*cough*

[bentfender]

that was so you could avoid cutting a new hole. twas all

[ashcatlt]

there's always the concentric option...

[ChrisK]

Drill (slowly) from the outside in.

BUT FIRST, COVER THE OUTSIDE FINISH AROUND THE LOCATION WITH MASKING TAPE.

You can mark it with layout lines to help in accuracy. I like to drill a small 1/16" pilot hole first (I often use a hand-held hand-turned pin vise for this starting operation) and increase the hole size to the final hole size by drilling with a smaller bit that is just larger in diameter than the point edge on the bigger bit. Do not drill an intermediate hole that is nearly the same as the final hole. The slightly larger bit will grab the hole, chip the finish, and go in crooked.

GO REAL SLOW!

This prevents "walking the bit" across the finish. If this happens, you won't even notice if the hole is off center slightly.

If at all possible, use a drill press (and cover everything that you want to keep the finish on).