Author Topic: how easy is it to change pickups myself (Read 2153 times)

BaLLsAgNe · « **on:** January 24, 2007, 01:45:34 PM »

im debating installing my new BKs (when they come) by myself to save myself some time and money. is this an easy thing to do? if it helps i can solder. if i do it is it better to leave the strings on or take them off?

Philly Q · « **Reply #1 on:** January 24, 2007, 02:27:20 PM »

If you can solder, it's easy, unless you're going to do something fancy with a 5-way superswitch or push-pull pots. Much less hassle than getting a tech to do it.

There's a wiring diagram in the BK box, and you can find loads more info on sites like http://www.guitarelectronics.com/.

It's definitely better to take the strings off, but it's possible to swap the pickups with the strings on. You're more likely to scratch the top though, unless you're very careful.

Mr Ed · « **Reply #2 on:** January 24, 2007, 02:42:58 PM »

Yeah, what he said ^

If you can solder, great, but you need to make sure you have the right wiring diagram and follow it exactly.

Personally, I don't have any confidence in my own soldering ability so I just pay the £20 for someone who knows what they're doing. They've never done me wrong so far.

Antag · « **Reply #3 on:** January 24, 2007, 04:15:17 PM »

If you're just doing a straight swap & wiring it exactly the way is is with the current pickups then it's fairly easy - just remember that not everyone else uses the same color codes as BKP do.

Best to have a wiring diagram handy, but even if you make a mess of it, you can just open it up & do it again...

BaLLsAgNe · « **Reply #4 on:** January 24, 2007, 08:28:21 PM »

man i really hope these things come soon.. im way too impatient

Philly Q · « **Reply #5 on:** January 24, 2007, 09:38:30 PM »

Quote from: BaLLsAgNe

man i really hope these things come soon.. im way too impatient

I shouldn't have told you they'd only take a couple of weeks. Please don't blame me if they take longer!

Having said that, it's only been about 4 days hasn't it... ?

BaLLsAgNe · « **Reply #6 on:** January 24, 2007, 09:48:16 PM »

lol yeah i ordered saturday. hopefully you were right though

Tellboy · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2007, 02:41:35 PM »

One thing I would recommend is to place the guitar on a soft blanket when soldering and wrap the blanket over the guitar so that just the control cavity is showing. Then if you drop a screwdriver, soldering iron, pickup, screw etc. there is less chance of it damaging the finish on the back of the guitar. ( I learnt this the hard way

)

BaLLsAgNe · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2007, 02:58:44 PM »

yea i figured i would take precautions like that. i am very anal when it comes to my equipment. i was just wondering if it was a relatively easy thing to do. i guess if a schematic comes with the pickups it cant be too hard right?

Twinfan · « **Reply #9 on:** January 25, 2007, 03:52:57 PM »

It's very simple. If you can solder, you can do it.