4-Conductor Pickups on an Ordinary Electric?

[timarp000]

Hello,

I own an LTD EC50 and I plan to change my pickups. Im currently looking at a set of 59's. I want to get 4-conductor pickups so that when I can afford a better axe, something that has coil tapping, I can swap the same pickups into them. My question is if I can install 4-conductor pickups into my guitar, which has no coil tapping/splitting.

Also, what would be the main difference between the 59's and Alnico 2 Pros?

Thanks.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: 4-Conductor Pickups on an Ordinary Electric?

Welcome to the forum.

With the red and white output conductors soldered together and insulated, four con + shield pickups will behave exactly like your stock pickups. Black conductor is "hot". Green conductor and bare shielding wire grounded to a metal part such as the volume pot chassis.

Alnico II Pro versus SH-1 '59 is a matter of taste as to where the treble, mid and bass emphasis lies and the attack transient qualities of the respective magnet materials.

In my opinion, the relatively subtle differences between your two pickup model suggestions is unlikely to shine through on the EC-50. It may be wiser to put your funds towards an LTD 400 series electric guitar, where the Duncans come as standard.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: 4-Conductor Pickups on an Ordinary Electric?

The A2 Pro is a bit warmer sounding (subtle). But Funk makes a good point...you probably won't even be able to tell the difference in that guitar.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: 4-Conductor Pickups on an Ordinary Electric?

PS: I' not sure I'd refer to that guitar as "ordinary".

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: 4-Conductor Pickups on an Ordinary Electric?

I think he means "no extra switches or push-pull pots standard".

Which would also include a 59 LP, SG, 57 Strat, 52 Broadcaster, etc etc.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: 4-Conductor Pickups on an Ordinary Electric?

No problem whatsoever. Most Duncan and DiMarzio pickups come splittable, yet IME, most people don't wire them to split. You just solder together the two wires you don't need, and treat the other two as regular + and - leads. If you ever want to change that, you just go in and undo the joint on the two extra wires, and you are back to having four leads.

 

[timarp000]

Re: 4-Conductor Pickups on an Ordinary Electric?

Thanks for the Info guys! I'd Love a new Guitar but Im a student and not in the position to get one soon. Ive ordered a pair of 59's 4 Conductor - Zebra and also some locking tuners, and for now, that'll do!

 

[devastone]

Re: 4-Conductor Pickups on an Ordinary Electric?

You can get some push pull pots and split the pups on that guitar too. It doesn't take a new guitar to add coil tapping.

 

[Mincer]

Re: 4-Conductor Pickups on an Ordinary Electric?

Let us know how the project turns out!

 

[Artie]

Re: 4-Conductor Pickups on an Ordinary Electric?

If a pic is worth a 1000 words: