Wednesday, August 06, 2025

Sqoe SEST230 HSS Gets Some Help

Remember Hakim's Sqoe SEST230? Well, I'm pleased to say that it's gotten the help it needs, and had its electronics upgraded. But first, let's look at the guitar as received. Unscrewing the pickguard revealed several corroded pickguard screws, which I would definitely be replacing. Meanwhile, the output jack was also showing signs of corrosion. As for the pots and switch, I'd be strongly recommending an upgrade, budget permitting.



Corroded Pickguard Screws

Pickups and Electronics

Mini Pots

Neck and Middle Tone Pots

0.047uF Poly Tone Capacitor

PCB Switch

Corroded Output Jack



After lots of discussion, Hakim eventually consented to servicing, parts replacement, and an electronics upgrade. The corroded pickguard screws were duly replaced, and new electronics wired in. These included full-sized Alpha Korea A500K pots, a Russian PETP K73-16 0.022uF tone cap, a Gotoh DM-50 five-way switch, and a Switchcraft #11 output jack. After a good clean and polish, this Sqoe SEST230 was set up with D'Addario EXL110 10-46 strings, as per Hakim's request.



New Pickguard Screws

Alpha Korea A500K Pot

K73-16 0.022uF Capacitor

Gotoh DM-50 Switch

Switchcraft #11 Jack

Upgraded Components Wired In

Close-Up of the Switch, Pots and Tone Cap

Switchcraft #11 Output Jack

Tremolo Claw Ground

Pickups After Polishing

D'Addario EXL110 Strings

  

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