First kit build - PBG-2!

[Simon Barden]

Seeing as that the whole guitar output signal goes through a very long distance of 42 or 43 AWG wire in the pickup itself, a a few cm of even the thin kit wire isn't going to cause any measurable losses. You'll lose far more signal (especially the top end) through the capacitance of the guitar lead.

However, I too prefer to use the 22 AWG stuff. It's just easier to work with. I often use the Allparts wire that PBG sell, though with me being in the UK, I get it direct from Allparts UK. But the PBG price is a a good one.

[wazkelly]

Agree with Simon as on the PBG store site it is only $1.50 per 500mm lengths compared to $0.90 per 300 mm length from All Parts/Real Parts.

I tend to use white for hot and black for earth, and therefore purchase double quantity in black. For your build 1 x white & 2 x black should be plenty and probably even have some left over for other builds or restorations.

[Je11o26]

Thanks again guys. They are out of stock for the white. Is the braided stuff just as easy to work with? if was to 1x black and 2 x braided?

[wazkelly]

Would wait for more stock or place an order on the other site if needed in a hurry. Braided would work, just overkill and more chance of introducing a short if some of the outer wires are accidentally touching anything they shouldn't.

[Simon Barden]

The braided stuff is 2 wires in one. The central core is the signal cable and the braid is the ground connection. Which makes it a bit harder to use for wiring in-between pots. You'll have to cut a lot longer and strip back the braid at each end, then twist it together to get a length that you can bend and use. You may also need to run some heat-shrink over it to stop any chance of it touching lignal connections and grounding it all out for a nice silence. It's meant more for longer runs or connection to pickups, but your controls are all within the one control cavity, so it really is a lot of extra hassle to use it. If you want to use the push-back wire then I suggest getting some from Realparts (bottom of the web page) https://www.realparts.com.au/electronics/wire-tape.html

[Je11o26]

Decided to just go down to my local electronics store and just buy some standard wire that is a fair bit thicker than the wire that comes with the kit. Spoke to a bloke I know from a local music store and he suggested it would be the best way and that you wouldnt notice any difference especially if Im using copper foil in the cavities etc so decided to just do that. Only worry now is working out how im going to thread all this thick wire through the tiny holes of the pots. Just waiting for the copper shielding and knobs etc to arrive now and then the fun begins

[Je11o26]

After a few wiring problems which luckily ended up being easy to fix.. I finally finished the last details of the guitar today. Really happy with how this turned out and cant thank all of you enough for the help and advice you have given me. Will most probably put better pickups etc on this as Im really happy with how it is playing but all in good time

[blinddrew]

That flecked finish is very impressive - it looks about an inch deep.

[Fretworn]

That turned out really well. The bridge and tailpiece aren't as much of an obstruction as they could have been.