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Topic: Exchanging Pickups |
Joe Drivdahl
From:
Montana, USA
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Posted 9 Jan 2008 8:10 am |
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Well I ordered new George L's for my Magnum last week. They are supposed to arrive today. I have changed pickups in six strings before, but never on a steel and I'm a little nervous about it. I was wondering if some of you guys might inspire me with some of your stories about changing pickups, things to watch for, pitfalls, success stories, etc.
Joe |
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Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
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Posted 9 Jan 2008 9:05 am
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Hi, Joe, on most guitars it's not too hard, and gives you a good excuse to change your strings! A few suggestions:
Before doing anything, check the new pickup against the old to make sure it will fit. Some need a small trim off the base plate with something like a dremel tool, but if the screw holes don't line up, it'll be more difficult to install.
Don't cut the new leads too short- if you later trade/sell the pickup, new owner will want the longest leads possible. You can always loop 'em around a couple of times under the guitar, and hold with a little cable clamp.
If it's at all complicated under there, make a little diagram before disassembly.
Use a small-wattage soldering iron, 25-30 watts, not one of the Weller gun things.
Make sure to connect the ground or shield wire to the "barrel" or outside part of the output jack.
Before putting the strings back on, plug into your amp (low volume) and gently tap the pickup with a screwdriver to make sure the connections are good. |
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Posted 9 Jan 2008 9:48 am
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| make sure you don't lose them little springs around the screws (when you take the pick up off)that keep the pick up in place |
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Jerry Roller
From:
Van Buren, Arkansas USA
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Posted 9 Jan 2008 10:02 am
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Joe, the Magnum is a snap for changing the pickup out with (wide mount)George L's. It is a different story with some other brand single coils as the length of the pickup cavity is too short for some without major work on the base plate. The George L's fits right in and the springs are not on the mounting screws. The springs are under the pickup and the mounting screws go right into the wood. Another nice feature is there is a wiring terminal on the Magnum which really makes it nice on a D10.
Jerry |
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Marvin Born
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 11 Jan 2008 9:14 pm Exchanging Pickups
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Another little trick: On some guitars the pickup leads go through a small hole in the body. It is difficult to get the new pickup wire back through the hole. After you unsolder the old cable. attach a 12 inch or so piece of pick wire to the end of the old pick up lead and as you remove the old pick up pull the hook up wire into the hole and then detach it; leaving it as a pull wire.
When you are ready to install the new pick up wire, attach it to the top end of the hook up wire and use the wire to pull the end of the new pick up wire into and through the hole. I you don't have any wire, heavy string or teeth string works as well.
Marvin |
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Archie Nicol R.I.P.
From:
Ayrshire, Scotland
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Posted 12 Jan 2008 4:24 am
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I don't know why they all don't use this system:
Arch.
_________________
I'm well behaved, so there! |
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Bryan Daste
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 12 Jan 2008 2:39 pm
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| Some Sierras have a quick-change pickup system too. I love mine for recording. |
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