Advice on Pickup Upgrade

nedd

Hi,

Bit of background, I start learning guitar during lockdown, still very much a beginner. A friend gave me his old Yamaha Pacifica (30 years old). It's fine but I would love an upgrade. I like the feel of it and the neck is nice.

I'm thinking of a little project to upgrade the electronics. Doing a little research and I'm getting a little swamped. I only want to spend about €100ish so not looking at Seymore Duncans.

Any advice would be very welcome, I would love a pre-wired kit I can just slot in but I am OK with a little soldering.

feylya

You're not going to get much for 100, especially pre-wired. This is the closest I could find that's decent https://www.thomann.de/ie/fender_pre_wired_st_pickguard_tex_mex_479115.htm

Do you have any particular sound in mind, or something that's missing that's suggesting an upgrade?

nedd

Thanks for the reply.

Basically the guitar is old, pickups are rusty, pots are crackly. Ideally I would invest in a new guitar but I like the idea of upgrading what I have.

Sound wise, I am very much beginner but it's basically rock/blues sound. Not Jazz or Death Metal. Somewhere in the middle.

-=al=-

Wilkinson vintage strat pickups with alnico magnets probably offer the best value @ about €25 each such as - https://tinyurl.com/2p8mvypy From China but an example of what to look for. Maybe there's a UK/Eurpean seller with similar

If it's the HSS Yamaha make sure the middle pickup is reverse wound reverse polarity

New pots would go a long way, Aplha or CTS pots are a few quid each An audio/linear pot combo would be fine but doesn't really matter

That would be probbly done for less than €100 and best bang for buck considering one half decent pickup is €80+

As for what you have, some contact cleaner and wd40 would go a long way cleaning out old electronics

nedd

Thanks for all that info. I will have a look at everything you mentioned.

Out of boredom I just ordered an Audio Interface so I may have blown my budget there :-(

feylya

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120326002#Comment_120326002

Do not use normal WD-40 on pots. It will leave a coating on the pot tracks. Contact cleaner is the right way.

nedd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120326923#Comment_120326923

I have got through all the electronics with contact cleaner. It made a massive difference.

martinedwards

guitarfetish.com do some excellent electronics