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If you're anything like me, you started out with a basic beginner's guitar, and over time you realized that you were ready for something better. I had a Squier Telecaster(standard series) and I was ready for a change. I was set on a Les Paul of some sort, possibly a used LP Standard. I read tons of reviews, then I started reading some of the Epi Les Pauls(the nicer ones, $400-500).
Long story short, I realized that I wasn't going to be able to afford even the cheaper Epi guitar of my choice, and even if I could save up the money, it would have to go towards getting a vehicle, when I turn 16 in 7 months.
After some time on Google reading articles mentioning the good things that can come out of getting rid of the stock pickups on inexpensive guitars, I was set on trying to do this myself. I had never considered it before, I always thought that the insides of guitars were something only an elite group of individuals were allowed to mess with.
I was wrong. After finishing this pickup swap, I learned a ton about my guitar without messing ANYTHING up. And now I have a great sounding guitar, too.
If you're finally becoming good at guitar, or even if you have been playing for a while and want a change, swapping out the pickups is one of the best things you can do without shelling out hundreds for a new guitar.
Disclaimer-
I think that following this tutorial is pretty simple. You should be able to swap out your pickups with minimum to no hassle, but in case you screw up, don't blame me for it. If you do mess something up, I'll do my best to help you though.
Also, this tutorial is geared towards changing the bridge pickup to a SD Little '59 on a Telecaster, but the same technique should be able to be applied to other guitars as well.
Long story short, I realized that I wasn't going to be able to afford even the cheaper Epi guitar of my choice, and even if I could save up the money, it would have to go towards getting a vehicle, when I turn 16 in 7 months.
After some time on Google reading articles mentioning the good things that can come out of getting rid of the stock pickups on inexpensive guitars, I was set on trying to do this myself. I had never considered it before, I always thought that the insides of guitars were something only an elite group of individuals were allowed to mess with.
I was wrong. After finishing this pickup swap, I learned a ton about my guitar without messing ANYTHING up. And now I have a great sounding guitar, too.
If you're finally becoming good at guitar, or even if you have been playing for a while and want a change, swapping out the pickups is one of the best things you can do without shelling out hundreds for a new guitar.
Disclaimer-
I think that following this tutorial is pretty simple. You should be able to swap out your pickups with minimum to no hassle, but in case you screw up, don't blame me for it. If you do mess something up, I'll do my best to help you though.
Also, this tutorial is geared towards changing the bridge pickup to a SD Little '59 on a Telecaster, but the same technique should be able to be applied to other guitars as well.
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Signing UpStep 1Choosing a Pickup
Choosing a pickup is important. Why?
-They're not cheap. Expect to spend $70-130(USD) on a good pickup.
-It'll change the way your guitar sounds. Look for video reviews with good quality audio to help determine what you need. Seymour Duncan also provides audio samples for their pickups. http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/audio-samples/tele_jaguar_and/
Make sure you like the sound before you buy it. Don't go off of text reviews alone(although you should read those too). Everyone's opinion is different.
I chose the Little '59 because I wanted a humbucker(vague, I know...), and there were good reviews on it. Also, I was pleased with the way it sounds.
I recommend you buy your pickup new, and from a place that you trust. I am getting more and more unsatisfied with Musician's Friend(everything I order is backordered...) so after being informed that my pickup was going to be in stock three weeks from when I wanted it, I canceled the order, bought the same pickup at Guitar Center(online) and it came in by the end of the week.
Also, make sure you know where the pickup is supposed to go(not just what type of guitar it is supposed to go in). Don't screw up and buy a neck pickup and try to put it in the bridge.
That is, of course, if your guitar doesn't have interchangeable pickups. Like a Tele.
-They're not cheap. Expect to spend $70-130(USD) on a good pickup.
-It'll change the way your guitar sounds. Look for video reviews with good quality audio to help determine what you need. Seymour Duncan also provides audio samples for their pickups. http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/audio-samples/tele_jaguar_and/
Make sure you like the sound before you buy it. Don't go off of text reviews alone(although you should read those too). Everyone's opinion is different.
I chose the Little '59 because I wanted a humbucker(vague, I know...), and there were good reviews on it. Also, I was pleased with the way it sounds.
I recommend you buy your pickup new, and from a place that you trust. I am getting more and more unsatisfied with Musician's Friend(everything I order is backordered...) so after being informed that my pickup was going to be in stock three weeks from when I wanted it, I canceled the order, bought the same pickup at Guitar Center(online) and it came in by the end of the week.
Also, make sure you know where the pickup is supposed to go(not just what type of guitar it is supposed to go in). Don't screw up and buy a neck pickup and try to put it in the bridge.
That is, of course, if your guitar doesn't have interchangeable pickups. Like a Tele.
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I wouldn't bother sheilding unless:
-you are having buzz issues
-you want to do it just because you have the stuff
I wouldn't bother unless you really are having problems. Humbuckers are pretty much hum-free so if your guitar doesn't have those you could try them.
The jack is a really easy fix. I don't know if I said in my instructable, but the jack I got at Radioshack was better than the one that came in my guitar.
Your pots are most likely fine.
Giving it a good clean really improves the feel more than you'd think(in my opinion). Just by polishing the frets it makes slides feel smoother and bends easier(you're pushing down on something that's mirror smooth).
Depending on how bad your paint is, I'd stick with just guitar polish.
This short forum post doesn't have a definitive answer, but it's interesting nonetheless: http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-304668.html
They do sell guitar polish. It's not usually cheap, but it's worth a try. I've never used any type of polish in the 3 years or so that I've had my guitar. Maybe 4 years, actually...
A few small scratches, are they to the wood? or are they just paint deep and that's it?
What's the paint style on your guitar?
I wouldn't sand it back any unless you wanted to repaint it. Which could be risky on a $400 guitar.
Like I said, what guitar and amp do you have? I just want to know the amp out of curiosity.
Pictures?
thanks!
It's a fender style black paint, white full pick guard.
I'll need to get some new strings =\. Polishing the frets should be cool, should look real nice after.
The paint have a few very minor paint scratches, I thought I might be able to improve the gloss a little. Is there an alternative to guitar polish? I saw something about car polish, figures... Similar paint jobs.
I have single coils, and would have to replace the pick guard to upgrade... Not too keen on shelling out for new gear. I'm actually in the process of hand crafting a scratch-built Gibson SG copy. MDF anyone? I hear MDF gives a nice low, continuous tone. Obviously it's going to have a good paint job to cover it up...
I've also crafted the neck from NZ native Rimu. Looks really nice! Was thinking of putting an ebony fretboard on, just to give it a nice, professional surface.
I'm an electrical hobbyist, so I know all about the various components, I just know little about audio. I guess I wont be shielding then, will save my wallet a bit =).
Thanks Mate, great instructable BTW. I'm going to use it for sure! Just without the pick-up part...
Cool forum posts on MDF for guitars, telecasters specifically.
So its like a fender strat? What brand?
I don't know about alternatives, you could try joining a guitar forum and asking there, or just search google.
What color are you going to paint the SG? Red? It's too bad you can only do a solid color on MDF, I prefer bursts. But that's my opinion.
What about fabric?
http://www.diyguitarist.com/Guitars/SuperStrat.htm
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=guitar+fabric+body&aq=f&oq=&aqi=
Also, why would you have to replace the pickguard in order to change the pickups?
I guess you know about making necks with truss rods and how to add the fretboard, and all that? You can't make it without a truss rod.