Author Topic: Removing/Installing Pickups (Read 324 times)

phil · « **on:** February 26, 2006, 10:12:21 AM »

I've got an AXY in the neck and FatBoy in the bridge, and I want to swap them so I can see what the FatBoy sounds like in the neck position. How would I go about doing this without messing anything up?

I removed the strings and the upper screws from the AXY, but it felt kind of snug when I tried to lift it out of there. I opened the back, and it looks like I'm supposed to disconnect the 2-pin connectors on the trim pots and snake everything back through the cavity. Is that what I need to do? Or is there a connector on the pickup itself, and I?m just not pulling hard enough on the pickup to lift it up high enough to unhook it?

Here?s a shot of what I?m looking at:

dela217 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 26, 2006, 11:34:04 AM »

There is no connector on the pickup and I would not suggest pulling it hard. You are right in thinking that they must be disconnected at the circuit board and re installed back in the opposite order.

When you put them back, make sure you pass them through the ferrite bead.

Michael

David Houck · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2006, 12:33:48 PM »

The pickups might be in a bind. Try backing out one or both of the adjustment screws that are below the pickups. The pickups should move easily, the adjustment screws are used to change the height of the pickup. With the top screws out and strings off, you should be able to just pick the pickups up. Of course the other thing to check for is that the wires are free to move.

phil · « **Reply #3 on:** February 26, 2006, 01:13:18 PM »

Thanks for your help guys. The wires must have been in a bind or something under one of the height adjustment screws. I did a little wigglin' and jigglin', and they're free.

The wires were originally double looped through the bead, but I just single looped them for a little extra slack. Is that going to matter, or does it have go through the bead a certain number of times?

David Houck · « **Reply #4 on:** February 26, 2006, 01:34:04 PM »

I'm guessing it doesn't matter. Try it and see. If you're getting noise where before you weren't, then go back and change it.

David Houck · « **Reply #5 on:** February 26, 2006, 01:36:18 PM »

Oh; and let us know the outcome of the experiment! The difference between the AXY and the Fat Boy in the neck position and in the bridge position.

mica · « **Reply #6 on:** February 27, 2006, 03:10:39 PM »

Glad you were able to remove the pickups. The ferrite bead will do a better job the more wire is within it, so that's why we double the loop. Even one pass through will be much better than none. Just check if you need a little foam to insulate the bead from slapping around inside the cavity. You can use the self-adhesive kind and place it on the backplate in the area of the bead or place it directly on the bead.

David Houck · « **Reply #7 on:** February 28, 2006, 05:21:22 AM »

Thanks Mica! I've updated the FAQ.