Will my guitar require additional routing for Covered BKPs???

[slapnutz]

Ok, I/we know that BKP are currently tooling up for 7 String covered pickups and am interested in getting one in the future. I was looking at Ibanez guitars on the web and noticed this...

My guitar is an Ibanez J-Custom RG8527 7 String.

It pickup cavity is actually designed to follow the contours of the stock pickups around its four corners, thus have rounded corners. However, most standard Ibanez direct mounts dont and instead have squarer corners. Since the BKP covers are also square(ish) does that mean it wont be a standard fit for my particular guitar?

I know Tim said something about the covers not actually going that deep/low into the cavity so it might not be an issue but I just thought i'd check here first.

I've attached a picture that will hopefully make things a bit clearer. (not my personal guitar in the pic)

[Philly Q]

Looking at that picture I'd say you'd definitely need some extra routing to fit a covered pickup.

[FELINEGUITARS]

I dont think BKP do covered 7 string pickups though

Best to check with Tim....

[il˙ti]

Ok, I/we know that BKP are currently tooling up for 7 String covered pickups and am interested in getting one in the future.

*happy dance*

I might want to send my Mules back to get covers if this happens.

[MDV]

Not a chance they will fit in that. You want = you mod.

[slapnutz]

Thanks guys, thats pretty much what I thought. Stupid Japanese extra craftsmanship actually backfired on me this time. :D

I'll just have to stick with the open poled versions which isnt really too much of a problem.


Btw, for those who didnt know, yes BKP are indeed tooling up for covered 7 string versions. However Tim said that its currently "months" away until released.

[yellowv]

Ibanez routes are notoriously tight. In fact, in that J-Custom the regular open coiled BKP's even with Dimarzio triangle tabs may need some working to fit. I wanted to put a covered NB in my 2610 a while back and it wouln't go without routing a bit, and that guitar has sqare tab routes as it had a Duncan in it stock.

[slapnutz]

Ibanez routes are notoriously tight. In fact, in that J-Custom the regular open coiled BKP's even with Dimarzio triangle tabs may need some working to fit. I wanted to put a covered NB in my 2610 a while back and it wouln't go without routing a bit, and that guitar has sqare tab routes as it had a Duncan in it stock.

Yeah I know about the square tabs needing filing down into the triangular shape. Luckily our local BKP reseller is primarily a luthier business so he's got it covered. (no pun intended :P)

I was all impressed and smug about my J-Custom having a nicely contured cavity and no ugly gaps like other Ibanez direct mounts... now, not so much. :mrgreen:

[yellowv]

Tim does triangular tabs for Ibby's, what I was saying was that in those routes you have that might not even help.

[dheim]

i had the same problem with an RGA121, but it took a very superficial routing work... a good luthier should make it in few minutes.

[slapnutz]

i had the same problem with an RGA121, but it took a very superficial routing work... a good luthier should make it in few minutes.

Thanks man. Can you please specific exactly what wasnt fitting?

Atm, my current understanding for my situation is this...

1) Covered pickups are out. Covers contures means the guitar would need extra routing to fit its squarish shape?
2) Uncovered pickups should work APART from the Tabs might needing filing down. My luthier alread made me aware of this and said hes done them before.
3) Read ealier here that BKP might actually give an option for Dimarzio style triangular tabs?

Lastly, does BKP staff browse/monitor these forums and offer input?

Have had emails back and forth with Tim but didnt want to start bothering him with every little detail. (although for the money we spend on these pickups, I guess he shouldnt mind :P)

[Philly Q]

2) Uncovered pickups should work APART from the Tabs might needing filing down. My luthier alread made me aware of this and said hes done them before.

Not totally sure about this one, but.....

If BKP 7-string pickups are built the same as 6-string ones you might also need to file the corners of the baseplate - it's rectangular, like the covers, not rounded like the coils.

[slapnutz]

Not totally sure about this one, but.....

If BKP 7-string pickups are built the same as 6-string ones you might also need to file the corners of the baseplate - it's rectangular, like the covers, not rounded like the coils.

Ahh right. As long as the all the filing needs to be done on the Pickup end instead of the guitar's wood, I'm happy.

Btw, can anyone PLEASE give me exact dimensions of an open poled/uncovered Painkiller bridge? That would be much appreciated! :D

[dheim]

i had the same problem with an RGA121, but it took a very superficial routing work... a good luthier should make it in few minutes.

Thanks man. Can you please specific exactly what wasnt fitting?

i have got a set of covered BKPs in it... my luthier filed the tabs AND the wood. and final result is very nice, i'd say... the worst thing is that the tabs came out quite irregurarly shaped, but you don't notice it much unless you point a light straight into the pickup cavity...

[MDV]

Has to be said, I've done the legs better than that (if ibanez2570 (craig) comes along then we may see)

But, yes, for the legs its much easier to file the legs, for the perimeter you have no choice but to do the guitar (which dheims luthier has done invisibly, as should any luthier or good (emphasise good) tech).