Yamaha Pacifica PAC612VIIFMX - Part 6

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Replacement Parts

We'll start off today's post with a look at replacement parts that will be installed in this Yamaha Pacifica PAC612VIIFMX. In the electronics department, the stock volume pot will be replaced with an Alpha A500K, and the pickup selector switch with a Gotoh DM-50.

Alpha A500K Pot

Gotoh DM-50 Switch

  

Meanwhile, in the hardware department, parts to be replaced include both set-screw control knobs, as well as the black saddle height and intonation screws. With regard to the stock saddle height screws (6 mm), their replacements are slightly longer at 10 mm. 

Replacement Knobs (Right)

Replacement Saddle Height Screw (Arrowed)

Replacement Intonation Screw (Arrowed)

Replacement Screws in Place

Pickups - A Closer Look

Upon disassembling the pickguard and humbucker ring, it's reassuring to see that all three pickup cavities are shielded with conductive paint. The neck single-coil is a Duncan SSL-1, the middle, an RWRP (Reverse Wind Reverse Polarity) SSL-1, and the bridge humbucker, a TB-14. And, looking at the date codes on the labels, it's evident that all three pickups were manufactured in 2021.

Shielded Neck and Middle Pickup Cavities

Undersides of Neck and Middle Pickups

Neck Pickup Label

Middle Pickup Label

Shielded Bridge Humbucker Cavity

Bridge Humbucker Label

Electronics Work

Before proceeding with any electronics work, I made sure to draw up some sort of wiring diagram that I could refer to later. The stock wiring was a literal rat's nest, and there was no way I'd be able to memorize all the connections. Besides desoldering the stock volume pot and selector switch and wiring in their respective replacements, I also had to replace two wires to the push-pull tone pot, as the original ones were way too short. 

Layman's Wiring Diagram

Stock Volume Pot

Stock Alpha BH35P Switch

Longer Wires to the Tone Pot

Pickup Leads and Tremolo Claw Ground

Rewiring in Progress

Rewiring Completed

Shielding the Control Cavity Cover

Pickups After Cleaning and Polishing