Getting the electronics inside a 335 style guitar. . .

[thearabianmage]

Hey y'all - I've recently rewired up my 335-style guitar and I can't seem to get the parts inside and in their place without either:

a) breaking one of the connections
b) the wiring getting tangled up thus compromising further progress
c) can't get the part to its hole to begin with
d) if I can get it to its place, it's getting it through the body

There is a block of wood right under the the bridge that blocks my hand from getting into the body so I've tried using an extendible magnet to no avail. . .

Are there any tips or tricks for fitting parts inside these kind of guitars? (whose bright idea was it not to have a back-plate on these guitars!?)

If anyone needs pictures for a better idea of the situation, just mention and I'll take some. . .

Cheers

 

[markb]

String is your friend here. Tie fishing line or similar to the parts and pull them into place through the f-holes. Some tips here.

 

[thearabianmage]

String is your friend here. Tie fishing line or similar to the parts and pull them into place through the f-holes. Some tips here.

Excellent! Even with the string it's a bit tricky, but I'll be giving it a go! Thanks!

 

[sunvalleylaw]

This project I did on my Viking might give you some ideas. I used bailing wire instead of string. Not quite the same issues you are dealing with, but maybe it will help.
http://www.thefret.net/showthread.php?t=9334

 

[Spudman]

I use a stiff but flexible wire to get everything back into place.

Make a loop at one end, a short one, that won't collapse. Loop it onto the contact on the output jack then put the other end of the wire through the F hole and then through the output jack hole in the body. Slip the washers and nuts over the end of the wire sticking out of the body and tighten them onto the jack. Then you should be able to push the wire back into the jack slightly to get it to dislodge from the jack. Then just pull the freed wire out of the output jack and you should be set.

I found this procedure to be the toughest. Using these methods you should be able to figure out how to do everything else.

Oh, unscrew the switch tip completely and wrap the fishing wire around the threads snugly. That should give enough grip to get the switch into its hole. Don't remove the wire until you have put the washer and nut on the switch.