changing pickups on a floyd guitar

dressed2kill

dressed2kill

New member
I had a read through the vault for some ideas on what to expect with changing pickups on a floyd equiped guitar. Just out of curiosity is there anything that stands out for people that have swapped pickups with floyds?

Good or bad I want to prepare myself for this.
 
Re: changing pickups on a floyd guitar

I've done it more often than changing strings and I just do it as I'd start changing strings: stick a cloth under the bridge's rear so it won't mar the finish, then slacken the strings, change the pickup, tune again.
If it's a recessed Floyd, you can use a 9V battery wrapped in electrical tape and stick it in between the Floyd and the routing. It'll keep it up while you slacken the strings.
 
Re: changing pickups on a floyd guitar

Zerberus said:
I´m not sure of what you´re trying to ask.......
Click to expand...

Basically the ins and outs of installing, I should have worded that different originally now that I look at my first post. I've swaped pickups on other guitars but never on a floyd equiped guitar.

Pierre thanks for the tips I will definately put them to use during the swap.
 
Re: changing pickups on a floyd guitar

A jazz JB combo, its a jackson DX10 that came with duncan designed pickups, they really lack to my ears.

I had a PG that I was going to try in the bridge but I think it may be too bright a guitar for that? Not sure.
 
Re: changing pickups on a floyd guitar

dressed2kill said:
Basically the ins and outs of installing, I should have worded that different originally now that I look at my first post. I've swaped pickups on other guitars but never on a floyd equiped guitar.

Pierre thanks for the tips I will definately put them to use during the swap.
Click to expand...

I'm still not sure of the question. The bridge really has nothing to do with how you change the pup.
 
Re: changing pickups on a floyd guitar

TheArchitect said:
I'm still not sure of the question. The bridge really has nothing to do with how you change the pup.
Click to expand...

I didn't want to ruin the setup of the floyd, when I change the pups. I assumed someone must have had some tips for this.

Do you leave the springs in and just support the floyd? Remove them and just prop it up? That kind of thing.

Pierre got it.
 
Re: changing pickups on a floyd guitar

The floyd setup will be there again when you restring, provided you restring w/ the same guage, brand and tuning. That´s one of the nice things about floyds, once set, it´s set until you change it purposely.

I don´t even prop the floyd up when changing pickups, I just put some foam under the tail. Sometimes I´ll even go so far as to change pickups with the strings still on ;)
 
Re: changing pickups on a floyd guitar

Zerberus said:
The floyd setup will be there again when you restring, provided you restring w/ the same guage, brand and tuning. That´s one of the nice things about floyds, once set, it´s set until you change it purposely.

I don´t even prop the floyd up when changing pickups, I just put some foam under the tail. Sometimes I´ll even go so far as to change pickups with the strings still on ;)
Click to expand...

Now thats what I wanted to hear

thanks
Zerberus
 
Re: changing pickups on a floyd guitar

I lifted the bridge put a 9volt batter covered with cloth and put it on the bridge releasing string tension. then just removed the neck. My guitar has a pickguard, which is alot to remove, you probably wont have to go through all that.
 
Re: changing pickups on a floyd guitar

I have changed pickups several times on my Jacksons and have used the following procedure with 100% success.
1. Leave the locking nuts locked.
2. Remove rear covers
3. Unsolder pickup wires.
4. Remove the trem springs (I use 3 springs and I set my Floyds to float with bridge plate parallel to the body of the guitar)
5. Carefully remove the bridge.
6. Change pickups, clean frets, fret board, inspect the posts and relube etc.
7. Reinstall the bridge and add the springs, center first then outside. You may need a small blade screwdriver to hook the springs over the claw.
8. Solder the pickup wires and begin to rock.
9. Your will be very very close to in tune (as close as you left it when you started.)
Now if you must change strings, you can do so at a time as your fret board was cleaned previously and you will have minimal adjustments for tuning to pitch.
 
Re: changing pickups on a floyd guitar

I put something on the body to prevent scratching and push down the bar. Get just enough space to remove it. I have restring those things!
 
Re: changing pickups on a floyd guitar

Zerberus said:
Sometimes I´ll even go so far as to change pickups with the strings still on ;)
Click to expand...
That's how I always do mine.... you don't get a good idea of how the new pickup sounds compared to the old one if you change strings immediately.

Plus, I'm lazy, and it's a whole lot easier to disconnect the wiring, unscrew the pickup ring, and then dump the whammy bar completely and pull the pickup out than take off the damn strings :)
 
Re: changing pickups on a floyd guitar

slightly_rude said:
I have changed pickups several times on my Jacksons and have used the following procedure with 100% success.
1. Leave the locking nuts locked.
2. Remove rear covers
3. Unsolder pickup wires.
4. Remove the trem springs (I use 3 springs and I set my Floyds to float with bridge plate parallel to the body of the guitar)
5. Carefully remove the bridge.
6. Change pickups, clean frets, fret board, inspect the posts and relube etc.
7. Reinstall the bridge and add the springs, center first then outside. You may need a small blade screwdriver to hook the springs over the claw.
8. Solder the pickup wires and begin to rock.
9. Your will be very very close to in tune (as close as you left it when you started.)
Now if you must change strings, you can do so at a time as your fret board was cleaned previously and you will have minimal adjustments for tuning to pitch.
Click to expand...
^This is of course the "ideal" way to do it as you can solve other problems as well should any arise...

But if everything else is spot on and you only want to change the pickup it´s a bit of overkill ;)
 
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