How hard is it to install pickups

digiology

Hi, I was thinking of replacing my bridge humbucker on my yamaha pacifica. How hard would this be to do?
I started taking off the tape on one of my pickups to see inside but got nervous that the tape wouldn't stay back on afterwards so I didn't get to see.
Anyone tried this? Im thinking of replacing it with a fender atomic humbucker.

feylya

First of all, there is NO reason to remove the black tape from the pickup. To replace the pickup, you desolder the pickup wire from the controls and wire the new one in. That's the very basic description. If you can use a soldering iron competently and can follow diagrams, it's easy.

Doctor J

If you think removing the tape will get you a result you should leave it in to someone to install the pickup properly.

Giblet

I have my pickups wired for easy removal, all I need is a screw driver. Look into getting some wire connectors from any hardware store. They can come loose if you don't have the right technique for securing the wires but it has done me well for the last 3 years or so.

feylya

You're just copying EMG :P

Do you remove your pickups all that often?

Doctor J

Yeah, I just put good pickups in and then never take them out again... ever.

Realistically, how frequently would ye remove your pickups?

feylya

The only reason I could think of is if you have 3 guitars, all with humbuckers, all with the quick connect thingy and you want to try different pickups with different guitars.

Makes ya kinda want that Les Paul I posted a while back.

Doctor J

Meh, get a Variax.

feylya

Tempting tbh. Never played one. I'd love to rip it's guts out and stick it in an LP.

Doctor J

Sometimes you say the most bizzarre things

feylya

Talk to me when I'm drunk

digiology

ah yes of course, removing it from the volume pot! Why didn't I think of that?
That shouldn't be a problem. Any pickup suggestions?

Doctor J

Depends entirely what sound you want to have.

Giblet

I do it because I can right.

feylya

But WHY??? :P

It wasn't me!

Mmmm... That was a damn fine LP....
Anyway, the thing about the Variax is the sounds are perfect, but the guitar doesn't feel the way it should. A strat player for instance doesn't play a strat just for the sound. He plays it because it's the guitar for him, and the Variax is not the world's nicest guitar to play. You need to have the feel of a strat or an LP to get the classic sound and the Variax can't do that. It's very bland to play.

feylya

That's why I said this...

feylya wrote:

Tempting tbh. Never played one. I'd love to rip it's guts out and stick it in an LP.

digiology

Doctor J wrote:

Depends entirely what sound you want to have.

Well I love mathew bellamy's(from muse) live sound and jonny greenwood's tone is something I would love.
If I could get jonny's lead tone I'd be happy in my nappy.
I know he uses fender lace sensor pickups or something. But there are at least six different types of those and I'm not sure which one he has in the bridge position. Its not necessary to get the exact pickups surely.

Anyone know where I could get a replacement 5-way pickup switch?

feylya

www.stewmac.com
www.switchcraft.com

Chardee MacDennis

you can pick up a 5way switch from music maker on excheqour street for a tenner.

Giblet

Jonny uses two single red lace pickups wires as a humbucker, and Matt uses similar but has loads of crazy stuff on his guitar, including a fernandez sustainer in the neck.

feylya

Matts uses a Motherbucker and a P-90 in the neck!

It wasn't me!

Hmm... Didn't spot that. Variax versatility with LP's style, looks, and playability. That could definitely be a winner.

digiology

are you saying he has two single coils stuck together Giblet? How would I wire these up as he has? My humbucker has only one wire connecting it.
Im pretty sure matt also has an atomic humucker in one of his guitars, who makes the motherbucker?

feylya

Kent Armstrong makes it. It has three or four metal "poles" in it. It's like 2 humbuckers strapped together.