The ARIA 1802t/1803t - EPIPHONE ET 270 DATABASE

[adamrobertt]

Anyone know where to get a replacement 3 way toggle switch for these? It’s an interesting kind with only 3 prongs. Will a normal dpdt switch work?

[TheGroke]

Just came across this potential no-drilling tuner option for the 1802t

https://hipshotproducts.com/collections ... 6476284003

Anyone tried these?

Yes, they are ugly, but I wouldn't need to modify the guitar and I could actually enjoy playing it.

[TheGroke]

Anyone know where to get a replacement 3 way toggle switch for these? It’s an interesting kind with only 3 prongs. Will a normal dpdt switch work?

Can you post a pic?

[Sweetfinger]

Anyone know where to get a replacement 3 way toggle switch for these? It’s an interesting kind with only 3 prongs. Will a normal dpdt switch work?

Can you post a pic?

They use a cheap-o box style toggle switch. The replacement go-to would be a Switchcraft short straight toggle if there's room, or an electroswitch, which has a larger bat on a smaller switch housing. The box ones are easily sourced.

[Spellcaster]

I used a Les Paul switch when I restored mine.

[HellSpawnlover]

Wow! I love it here!!!

I have owned my ET-270 for... about 25 years, and didn't know ANYTHING about it. About 20 years ago, we had an unfortunate encounter with a little sister, who tripped on the jacked in cord and... snatched the jack and surrounding guard off the guitar. It still played, but I was always worried about it breaking more.

Fast forward, present day. A recent upgrade I did on an acoustic I got as a gift, sparked my inner luthier, and... here I am!

The guitar needs SERIOUS work. It was "stored" very poorly, and I don't even know how much was original when I got it. I'm concerned about the electronics, and how to repair/replace them. The finish is.... well... beat up. I haven't decided my course on finish yet, either leave it be (mostly), "restore" it, or custom refinish. Missing trim bar and cover, not real worried about, though they would be nice in the end.

I have lots of pictures of it taken "as is" and during disassembly. But for now, just the "as is" (or was rather).

https://photos.app.goo.gl/m9DM6Fffdip8TgrE9
https://photos.app.goo.gl/j3RBRr7Dc4yyK9DX6

[HellSpawnlover]

I will be making a post in Mods & Projects for this guitar.

I would love your input about what to do with it.
Repair: just fix what needs fixing w/ no refin.
Restore: as close to original as I can achieve w/refin.
Renovate: updated hardware, completely new finish.

Open to recommendations, pointers, opinions, insights, concepts.
One thing I think I might want to do is relocate the jack to the body, as to avoid future guard issues. Thoughts?
Also. I will NEVER sell this guitar. Even for ridiculous $$$.

[TheGroke]

Ground connection question:

Just popped the pickguard off of my 1802t for the first time to fix the input jack.

Mine has no ground connection to the bridge. Is that standard? Are people here adding one, or does it not make much difference on this guitar? (I added one externally to check, and didn't notice any reduction in noise).

Tuner update
I also installed a set of "vintage" sized 8.5mm Hipshot tuners with universal (no drill) mounting plate). I used the non-staggered version (no benefit to staggered here).

I completely had it with the original pieces of s**t tuners. Was interesting to discover that there are at least two variants of them though. One which would never ever ever possibly hold your guitar in tune because the little C cup that the tuner sits in is too deep and consequently, the rotating rod slides back and the two sets of gears cannot make close contact. On the later, revised version, the C cup is shallower, and works a bit better. Note that the screw hole spacing is like .25mm different on the two variants, which is annoying, because you basically need to plug and re-drill to get the later variant to work in an early 1802t.

Anyway, installing the Hipshots required enlarging the existing tuner post holes from 8mm to 8.5mm (8.5 is the smallest diameter they sell). I gave up trying to do it on my own (with pencil and sandpaper) and hired someone to do it in their press. You can actually leave the top end of the headstock at 8mm - the hipshot bushings will fit. Just measure out where to stop first.This is great, because this means that the guitar can still be restored to "original" if desired.

The Hipshot people are insanely helpful and friendly. They put together a half-price kit for me from a bunch of other kits, and sent me emails to check up on how the install was going. Great company. Great product.

[TchikiSteph]

Now look who's here !

[MattK]

I have a nice Aria 12 string neck which would go beautifully on one of these bodies - anyone got one? I put an ad in the Wanted section but no luck.

[hylaphone]

Hi folks, I recently picked up a Tempo branded version of this guitar. It's lovely, but the pickups are far too microphonic for sane use.
Has anyone had success potting them, or any other tricks?
These are the earlier trapezoidal style..
Thank you

[Sweetfinger]

Has anyone had success potting them, or any other tricks?
These are the earlier trapezoidal style..
Thank you

I've potted them. They still pick up a lot of hum but waxing will cut down on microphonics and handling noise. Switching to rubber tubing for springs will help a bit.

[hylaphone]

Has anyone had success potting them, or any other tricks?
These are the earlier trapezoidal style..
Thank you

I've potted them. They still pick up a lot of hum but waxing will cut down on microphonics and handling noise. Switching to rubber tubing for springs will help a bit.

Cool, I'll give it a shot. Did you remove the plastic rings first or just dunk the whole thing?

[Sweetfinger]

Cool, I'll give it a shot. Did you remove the plastic rings first or just dunk the whole thing?

You don't want to be dunking the rings. I use a double boiler inside a crock pot, so the wax is relatively low temperature.

[TchikiSteph]

Any love for the bass variant Aria 1820 / Epiphone ET280 here ?



I have stumbled upon a video showing Adrian Utley from Portishead with a Commodore Bass which is clearly an Aria 1820 with a different headstock.
Just like the Aria I have, this one sounds very boomy and a bit muffled but offers a unique feeling (quality instrument as says Utley).

https://youtu.be/Zlv9i0XC8NA?feature=shared

My own experience with this bass is that it is really well built, with quality woods and great workmanship, but you need to deal with several flaws:

- E string is "flabby" due to the shortscale
- Intonation is slightly wrong with the factory bridge position
- pickups are too strong and difficult to tame without losing brightness
- the instrument is heavy

Do you have any tips for great modifications on those basses ? Any replacement pickup to advise ?