How expensive is electronics work?

[Kingbreaker]

Hi folks. . .

I'm still deciding what my next Rick will be - right now, narrowing it down to a 350v63 or a 360.

I will definitely want to do the 5th knob-to-volume mod on the 350 if I get that, and may very well play with the pickup selection. (With three pickups, there's definitely room for both toasters and something else!)

How much would a typical shop charge for making electronics changes and/or swapping pickups - if anybody has a ballpark figure?

I'd be willing to learn how to do the mods myself but.. . . maybe on a squier strat - definitely not on a Rick.

[jingle_jangle]

How long is a piece of string?

I know techs who would do it for free, but they're around here. Additionally, different regions and small town/big city techs charge varying amounts.

Doing the mod on a Rick is actually as easy as working on a Squier Strat or whatever, as long as you can solder. You're working on controls that are usually mounted to guards and can be worked on without fear of damaging the paintwork. Simply lay some towelling down on the guitar, flip the guard over on the towelling, and have at it.

If you don't know how to solder, there are innumerable YouTube videos and a couple of hours' practice will get you competent. It's actually easier than learning the chords to "Proud Mary"...

[nukebass]

Even I have figured out, mostly, how to solder! You can, too!! It will be cheaper in the long run to get some pieces to practice on and figure out how to do it than it will be to pay someone. The unfortunate thing about a lot of guitar work is that techs will charge quite a bit for something that is relatively simple and not too time consuming. That is just the nature of it all, though.

[kiramdear]

The connecting is not the hard part. What's hard for me is understanding what belongs where and trying to read those ferschlugginer diagrams.

[antipodean]

Twenty grand if you leave your soldering iron on top of your '58 Les Paul.....

[jps]

What's hard for me is understanding what belongs where and trying to read those ferschlugginer diagrams.

Think of them as maps, Kira.

[Kingbreaker]

Thanks for the responses, all!

- In the short run. . . it won't be much of an issue. I decided to go with a 360MG - it should arrive friday.