changing pups for a floyd guitar?

[silentrage]

so I just put in the order for a CWP 7 bridge and CS 7.
I'm pretty stoked right now, I figure I should do as much research as possible before they arrive so I could hear them in action!

I'm reading through these forums for info on changing pups, and it seems fairly straight forward,
remove pups, melt the solder, pull them out, put new ones in, re-solder, check the wiring diagrams, viola!

One thing I'm not sure about is how to hold the strings in place while I work on the pups, I hear you should clamp them down somewhere on the neck to prevent warping/damaging it, is this true?

thanks for any other pointers (or warnings) on changing pups too!

cheers

[kevincurtis]

Is this due to a concern that without the string tension the neck will warp? Ive heard this mentioned a few times (maybe its more of a seven string thing?) but basically Ive never heard of it happening - wood will bend naturally so it will bend a little without the string tension but it will happily go back again when restrung.


If the pups are scratchplate mounted you will need to remove the strings to get the scratchplate off. If its rear routed then you could prob just slacken them off, but its a whole lot easier with them off and out of the way.

[Jonny]

I would always remove the strings to put in pickups. The time period in which there off won't warp your neck into the next dimension (pun)

If however you leave an unstrung, unattached neck, unoiled and beside a radiator next to a window on a sunny Australian day with humidity clocking over the usual - then it's bad.

If they're factory strings, think about new ones. Like nanowebs, which I use and they ROCK. Dunno if they have a 7-string version. However if they're D'addario or some new strings you replaced then remind yourself next time "Replace strings, new pickups?" or whatever, to make things convienent.

Have fun with the CS / CWP combo, I love mine. Yours in a guitar with an extra string = more awesome.

[silentrage]

thanks! helpful advice as always. :)

I'll definitely put on new strings so I could enjoy the full BKP experience,
after all, it will be my first time.  :oops:

Nanowebs? Sounds very high tech, will they shred themselves? I'll look into that. ;)

[Jonny]

thanks! helpful advice as always. :)

I'll definitely put on new strings so I could enjoy the full BKP experience,
after all, it will be my first time.  :oops:

Nanowebs? Sounds very high tech, will they shred themselves? I'll look into that. ;)

Lol, Nanowebs are just like normal strings but with coating for them to last longer. A little bit more expensive than other strings obviously but in the long run (as in each time you have to replace a set of strings) it works out.

[Afghan Dave]

If I were doing this:

First flip guitar over and remove all back plates - lift the springs off the claw in the back cavity of the guitar with needle nose pliers and lift the whole Floyd unit off the pivots in front.

Place on one side while strings are still attached to locking nut.

Change pickups.

Slip Floyd back on posts and reattach springs - should be pretty much in tune.

Test

Feel happy or make changes.

Restring at leisure and enjoy.