Advice 1986 early model 4

[feedrail]

I have an 86 charvel, the best I can tell it was one of the earliest released in 86. I am only owner. Sn 2266xx - no marking on pickups, kahler 2300 with all new original brass saddles. This guitar is in mint condition with original case. I paid $600 in 86. Here is my problem, I'm going to have to replace pots, other than this, should I leave this guitar in original state or go on and and add some pickups while getting the pots installed. Would this hurt or increase value. Should I use bigger pots - any pickup advise? Or just change pots and pass it on to my grandkids. No way I would sell it. How much should it cost to get the vol, tone and boost pots installed. I'm open to any suggestion. Thanks for your time and hopefully responses.

[paranoid]

if you play it and like it keep it. if you play it a lot and want to upgrade it, just save the old parts. do not let originality effect on price worry you, its a $600.00 guitar. if you do not play it give it to your grandkids and maybe they will take interest in music. as far as the pots, try some pot/electrical cleaner first.

[Texas Crude]

Since it's mint and original, I'd keep it the way it is, as much as possible. Just my opinion. I had the same guitar once upon a time. My first Charvel. Cheers....

[DonP]

Try cleaning the pots. There are sprays you can get. What color is it?

Regarding replacing things like pickups and such, only replace if you clearly know what direction you want to go in. Like, if your pickup is muddy, find a brighter one. Don't just replace things for the sake of replacing.

I have an 86 in black, but it was gutted and had a single Screamin Demon hum in it. I have others with stock pickups, so I rewired with the JE1200, and HS2, HS3, and a J80C. I have a push pull to split the HS's into single coil mode. With the JE1200 they aren't as wimpy.

For the hardware I went with gold.

[GrimRiffer]

Here is my 86 Model 4. I purchased the guitar with no electronics. Just the body and hardware. I just put a Super Distortion in the bridge. The two singles are not wired to anything. I love the one hum, one volume set up. This guitar rips. Got pictures of your one hum Model 4?

[Axewielder]

Things get messy when changing pickups with the Jackson Electronics System. I loved the stock sound on my M4, I wouldn't mess with the pups. I don't think twice about replacing pots, though.