The Electra Forums

I just purchased a like-new 1976 Omega 220. The guitar has been modded with the electronics gutted in favor of standard Les Paul wiring and some unmarked pickups. I thought the pickups would be pretty bad since they have no adjustable poles but darn if they don't sound really good!

I planned on installing and wiring a 5 way like the originals and changing the pickups out to GFS Pro Series Alnico II zebras for that '70's look. Now that I am playing the guitar, I am almost afraud to tamper with it as it sounds so good. These mods were pretty common back in the '70's as the 5 way switching was thought to be a tone sucker.

What do you all think? I know the pickup change is simple and easily reversed but the 5 way is a time consuming wiring process. I guess I could get some pots, a switch and just put together a complete plug and play "harness" with the 5 way and just swap it all out.

What are your thoughts on this?

Here is a link to a YouTube clip of the guitar. First 45 secs were just checking neck relief for string buzzes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpjiqXc7oak&feature=youtu.be

Welcome aboard! The Omega is the closest thing to a real Paul you'll find in the Electra product line, set neck with Trapezoid markers, four control (holes...) in basically the right place. The five way rotary is a mixed blessing, adding two tones not available on a Gibby:

Position one: Both pickups in Series (slightly hotter and boomier than Parallel)
Position two: Neck pickup alone
Position three: Both pickups in Parallel (standard)
Position four: Bridge pickup alone
Position five: Both pickups out of phase

All positions are Humbucking, and frankly I wish there was a single-coil option. The rotary is not for everyone, and many players complain that its tough to quickly see which position it's in, and not as easy to move as a toggle switch is. The 'Series' position is of debatable usefulness, and many guitarists can go their whole life through with out missing the hollow tone of pickups being out of phase.

These are not particularly rare models, and if you want a stock one, I'm confident you could locate an example, possibly even one with a open book headstock.

If you like the way it sounds, I wouldn't change a thing. I think a much more versatile and slicker wiring scheme is what Electra used on the Endorsers: Standard three way toggle, with single coil and phase push/pull switches built into the tone pots. Click on link below to see an example in action. Cheers, Mike.

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Electra Guitar Videos ===> http://www.youtube.com/user/mjm33mjm?feature=watch

Welcome to the forums. That one looks nice and sounds great. With that sound and especially if you like it I would leave it a is. As Thorny stated you should be able to find a nice original omega if you want a stock version as the sunburst models seem to be the most plentiful seen on ebay etc.

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Always give thanks for everyday, It may be your last so Rock On Semper Fi!!

Yeah, That's what I am thinking. I own quite a few guitars and this Electra really surprised me. It sounds so good I just don't want to tamper with it.

I am going to look for an unmolested one just for grins.

Welcome to the site. Sounds good, one of those are on my must have list. Have you dimed it out?

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SlmGuy