Can I Put Minibuckers/Firebird Pups in a Wilshire Pro?

TV Robot

New member
I think the Epi Wilshire has a really cool look to it. The Wilshire Pro is the one I'm eyeballing right now but I'd want to change the pups in it. It has humbuckers but I want a Lollar minibucker (bridge) and Lollar Firebird pup (neck) in it (I know I'm on the Seymour Duncan site, so I know it's a little weird that I want Lollars). If I picked the LP Deluxe mount when buying them, would that fit in the Wilshire? I think the Wilshire Pro looks better than the 66 Reissue so yeah.

Wilshire Pro:
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/...ition-Wilshire-Pro-Electric-Guitar?sku=423558

Lollar Pups:
http://www.lollarguitars.com/mm5/me...duct_Code=242&Category_Code=humbucker-pickups
http://www.lollarguitars.com/mm5/me...duct_Code=239&Category_Code=humbucker-pickups
 
Re: Can I Put Minibuckers/Firebird Pups in a Wilshire Pro?

Welcome to the forum.

Yes, mini humbuckers will fit but you will need to find a way to disguise the gap between the small pickups and the edges of the regularly sized cavities. Firebird surrounds might do the trick but the Wilshire may need something taller.
 
Re: Can I Put Minibuckers/Firebird Pups in a Wilshire Pro?

You will need an adaptor ring to bridge the gap between the full-size route and the mini-humbucker.
 
Re: Can I Put Minibuckers/Firebird Pups in a Wilshire Pro?

The Wilshire Pro is a really cool guitar. The stock neck pup isn't bad, but the bridge pup is crap.

If I were you I'd try just replacing the bridge pup with the mini (which, by the way, is a great choice) to start and see how you like it. Then if you feel you need to, you could replace the neck.

Like Funk said, the Firebird surrounds will probably do the trick.
 
Re: Can I Put Minibuckers/Firebird Pups in a Wilshire Pro?

Okay I see. So something like this would do for the mini hum (since it doesn't the Firebird surround as an option)?
http://wd-music-products.amazonwebstore.com/B0006ZSTWA/M/B0006ZSTWA.htm

That won't work. You need to find an adapter ring for the mini to standard hum cavity. I've tried and can't find them so I'm going to have a set custom made. If you find anything that will do the adaptation, I'd love to know.
 
Re: Can I Put Minibuckers/Firebird Pups in a Wilshire Pro?

Alright thanks a bunch. Btw, if I wanted to put Liberators in the Pro as well what would I want? I was told on another forum that 2 500k Libs is probably what I want (500k=brighter than 250k?); is that right?
 
Re: Can I Put Minibuckers/Firebird Pups in a Wilshire Pro?

That won't work. You need to find an adapter ring for the mini to standard hum cavity. I've tried and can't find them so I'm going to have a set custom made. If you find anything that will do the adaptation, I'd love to know.

Will do. Also, in the case I can't find any, where do you get them custom made?
 
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Re: Can I Put Minibuckers/Firebird Pups in a Wilshire Pro?

Muchas gracias.

@ Dr.K I found these, I don't know if you can tell whether or not they'll fit from these links alone but here they are anyway.
Ring #1:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Humbucker-mini-...306?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item45ebcb2462
Ring #2:
http://guitar-parts.com/content/estore_details.asp?category=36&product=1497

Thanks man. Those look like they'll work. $23 a piece is a little steep for me though.
 
Re: Can I Put Minibuckers/Firebird Pups in a Wilshire Pro?

I'm debating whether or not I want to get the Pro at this point. It just seems like too much trouble. I'll probably just get the 66 and have my friend paint it or something (art school student's bound to someone who'll paint a guitar right?). The pearl blocks don't mean too much to me. But yeah, no problem.
 
Re: Can I Put Minibuckers/Firebird Pups in a Wilshire Pro?

The $12 rings should work just fine. Don't give up on the W. Pro. It's really a great playing/sounding/looking guitar. Plus it already has coil splitting built in. I've got over 2 dozen guitars so I've got lots of choices of guitars to play. The W. Pro with '59/Demon is my main guitar. The W. Faded with minis is my next fav. An LP with P-90/Pearly Gates is a close third.

IMHO, the W. Pro is a very versitile, modable guitar. Worth the effort, time, and expense to get it right...just the way you want it. Plus it's a very fun guitar to play and very unique.
 
Re: Can I Put Minibuckers/Firebird Pups in a Wilshire Pro?

had the original alpine white wilshire.

coil tapped after i added in the hot open coil clearance humbuckers on GFS's site.

The light strat-feeling featherweight body gave a convincing punch reminiscent of a Texas special bridge single coil and with the tone a tad down it gave a minibucker crunch

I really think the wood they used worked very well with the split pups. The set-in neck was a true treat as this guitar was bought for $249 with a case. I just dont like the batwing 6 on a side headstock. I like the ORIGINAL old school 3+3 on the first vintage ones, like that $1000+ version that was made in limited numbers at the nashville plant.

the newer ones are bound to be MORE than worth the money.

Hell, at GuitarPlayer the guys employ the use of a white wilshire like mine to test out products. It nailed a GuitarPlayer player's pick when it was unveiled years ago.
 
Re: Can I Put Minibuckers/Firebird Pups in a Wilshire Pro?

I don't know at this point. I've gotten over the aged pelham (funky green) finish and decided that the 66 Trem might be better (I like the aged cherry on it). I was planning on putting a B5 trem (no knockoffs) and roller bridge on it. In the end it'll save me money. Lack of coil split (I don't think the 66 trem has it at least) doesn't bother me too much. Of course I may change my mind by the time I get enough money (getting a summer job; still in high school).
 
Re: Can I Put Minibuckers/Firebird Pups in a Wilshire Pro?

But anyway now that I'm doubting my decision how sure are you that the $12 rings will work : D ?
 
Re: Can I Put Minibuckers/Firebird Pups in a Wilshire Pro?

But anyway now that I'm doubting my decision how sure are you that the $12 rings will work : D ?


I used the rings like that, only they were humbucker to single coil.

put a texas special neck (free score from a local tech friend) into the neck of a beater LP special II. it actually sounded very good for what it was.

Nonetheless, the ring did its job, so i have every confidence these would work for what you want to do.
 
Re: Can I Put Minibuckers/Firebird Pups in a Wilshire Pro?

Alright then, until I'm convinced otherwise I'm getting the Pro. Gracias for the info.
 
Re: Can I Put Minibuckers/Firebird Pups in a Wilshire Pro?

Good luck.

It's really a great sounding, fun playing, easy to play guitar. Very nice feel to the neck, smooth frets, and great access to the upper frets. Ya gotta love the light weight, especially if you've played Les Pauls for years.

And I actually love the batwing headstock. It's very unique. That's one of THE main reasons I got mine. I've played 3+3 for the past 50 years, so I'm still getting used to the 6-on-a-side. I do occasionally play a Firebird with the reverse headstock which really keeps me confused.
 
Re: Can I Put Minibuckers/Firebird Pups in a Wilshire Pro?

i'm not sure how the route in in these guitars, but it might be easier to just replace the pickguard and support them like a Strat. I have a minihum in a telecaster and it is an awesome pickup, but that is how the pickup was installed.
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