Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Tech => Topic started by: rperks on July 14, 2006, 10:01:28 PM

Title: Fitting Humbuckers on LesPaul without Setup Woes
Post by: rperks on July 14, 2006, 10:01:28 PM
Hi all,

I have just had a full setup on my new LesPaul and I am also considering a pickup upgrade at some point in the future.

How easy is it to do a pickup fit without disturbing the setup?  On a strat is it no problem, but the LesPaul seems a much more fickle beast.

Any tips appreciated (such as can I keep some strings in place to keep tension on the bridge etc.).

Cheers,
Rich
Title: Fitting Humbuckers on LesPaul without Setup Woes
Post by: WezV on July 15, 2006, 11:26:37 AM
The problem with LP's is that the bridge will obviously come of and might not go back in exactly the same place, which would mean you might need to play with your intonation ever so slightly.  Other than that it should be fine as long as you dont leave the strings off the guitar for a particularly long time or leave it in any extremes of temperature or humidity whilst doing the work (or ever really!!).
Title: Fitting Humbuckers on LesPaul without Setup Woes
Post by: PhilKing on July 15, 2006, 11:55:26 AM
Actually it is possible to change pickups on a LP without taking off the strings.  If you can slacken the strings enough then you can take out the pickups, though I wouldn't recommend it as it makes it easy to scratch the top of the guitar.

The better way is to put some masking tape around the bridge adjuster screws before you start, so they can't move.  Also then put masking tape over the bridge after you remove the strings.
Title: Fitting Humbuckers on LesPaul without Setup Woes
Post by: Ratrod on July 15, 2006, 04:39:56 PM
You could remove only 3 strings and slacken the rest. The pickup, mounted in it's ring, should slide in without much trouble.
Title: Fitting Humbuckers on LesPaul without Setup Woes
Post by: chrisola on July 15, 2006, 06:20:42 PM
i just put a warpig into my Dean.. it has a floyd rose trem.

slackened the strings and did the deed, tuned back up, seems to play exactly the same as before near enough :)