Questions about installing Pickups

If you can't easily get them locally, there are many mail-order places to buy from. musiciansfriend.com had a bunch of Duncan pickups. Check out http://www.seymourduncan.com/ - they have dealers listed who I'm sure would be happy to sell to you.

As for installation, it's not hard, but you need to know how to solder. There are schematics and instructions at the Duncan site. If you don't feel comfortable, get a friend to do it or take it to a guitar repair shop.

2 words - Ebay, Ezy.... As long as there's an existing pickup, you'll just be replacing one set of wires for another...

If you don't know what pickups you want - that's another story. But if you find the ones you like - Distortions, Invaders, Customs, etc - it will just be a question of 4 screws, 2 pickup screws, and a few solder

Another good source of Seymour Duncan pickups:
www.guitarelectronics.com

They have wiring diagrams too.

1.) Ebay 2.) Duncan has wiring diagrams at their site

The Repair Guy

try a search at http://www.froogle.com

Depends on the guitar and your background and soldering experience. Generally, it's very easy.

Another place you can look for info on guitar electronics:

Willie,

Putting in new pickups isn't hard. Do a Google search and you'll get more info than you'll ever need. Have you tried going to a luthier rather than a music store? A luthier should know how to install a pickup, where to buy pickups, and should be able to advise you on which pickups might be right for your guitar and playing style.

Dave M.

Don't get one of those double barrel high watt soldering guns get a 'pencil tip type' so you won't burn up the pickup up. and don't 'glob' on a lot of solder, tin the wire first then a bit on the pick up and then the two

I agree that a pencil type iron is the way to go, as long as it's at least a 30 watt and no more than a 45 watt.

But... If you are replacing existing pickups with brand new pickups with fresh leads, why would your soldering iron be anywhere near the pickup?

As stated above, it isn't hard.

to the OP:

Going to a Luthier to do the work is akin to visiting a surgeon to have your toe nails clipped. No it's not as easy as clipping your toenails but anyone that can operate a small screwdriver and a 30 watt soldering iron from RadioShack can do it. First timers can practice for a couple hours using similar gage wire and old pots and such. Ask among your circle of friends. Chances are good someone you know already knows how to solder and has the iron to use. Worst case scenario is that you accidentally burn up one of the control pots. A $5.00 lesson at most.

eBay is a good source for pickups. A word of caution: If it's not stated in the listing, ask the seller what the length of the remaining lead is. Make sure it's long enough for your purposes. Apparently some people like to cut old pickups out of their guitars rather than de-solder them.

Peace

I just make it a practice to learn on other people's gear before doing anything to my own!!!

As a

That's why I suggested asking around among people he knows to find someone that already has the tools and knows how to use them.

But still, it's good to try things for yourself. Like I said, any mistake's won't be fatal to the guitar (unless he burns it!) and would be cheap to reverse.

One other thing that's worth mentioning: Solder in a very well ventilated area or better yet, use a fan to get the smoke away from the air you breathe. Nasty fumes.