Need Advice on Single Coil Replacement

[FrenchCanada]

Hi there,

Just a quick question on replacing pickups for my Godin SD. It's configured SSH so the bridge pickup is not a problem. However at the middle and neck I was shopping around and noticing some single coils have a lip at the bottom that is not flush with the rest of the casing. Will this be an issue when replacing my Godin pickups or can I simply wedge them in the guitar body?

 

[jeremy]

you cannot wedge them in. if your guitar has the oval base with no flange, then you need a pup like that to fit. i believe all duncan single coils can be special ordered that way

 

[Mincer]

Yeah, don't wedge anything. What kind of pickup do you want? Any Duncan can be ordered without that flange, but there are a few models that come stock without it, and one of those might be perfect.

 

[ToneFiddler]

i am not sure i understand correctly, but jaguar pickups always have the rectangular groundplate with rounded ends…

 

[FrenchCanada]

Yeah, don't wedge anything. What kind of pickup do you want? Any Duncan can be ordered without that flange, but there are a few models that come stock without it, and one of those might be perfect.

I was thinking something along the line of SSL 1s. For a basic sound. I did not see them on the Huntress web-order site so maybe my best bet is to order direct from SD.

 

[t1r12003]

Does your guitar have a pickguard? I searched Godin SD and the pics I see all have pickguards. If so, just chisel or rout the wood away to fit the pickup. It’ll be covered up.

 

[FrenchCanada]

Does your guitar have a pickguard? I searched Godin SD and the pics I see all have pickguards. If so, just chisel or rout the wood away to fit the pickup. It’ll be covered up.

I could always try that though I'm not particularly fond of the idea.

 

[FrenchCanada]

Yeah, don't wedge anything. What kind of pickup do you want? Any Duncan can be ordered without that flange, but there are a few models that come stock without it, and one of those might be perfect.

I searched SD for web-order options that have no flanges but didn't find any. Should I maybe call SD and try to order, from a real person, without the flanges?

 

[GuitarDoc]

I searched SD for web-order options that have no flanges but didn't find any. Should I maybe call SD and try to order from a real person without the flanges?

Well, all real persons come without the flanges so I think that is a safe option.

 

[Mincer]

I searched SD for web-order options that have no flanges but didn't find any. Should I maybe call SD and try to order from a real person without the flanges?

You can call. You can also order from any authorized dealer, and they can get them for you.

 

[FrenchCanada]

Well, all real persons come without the flanges so I think that is a safe option.

 

[GuitarDoc]

:fing2:

 

[FrenchCanada]

Guess what? After further research I was able to find photos of the said GS1 pickups for sale on the Used Instrument Website that echoes a lot and these ceramic pups do have a flange. I am still waiting on my guitar in the mail so I haven't inspected the instrument fully. Finding SSL1s should be a whole lot easier now.

 

[FrenchCanada]

Also looking the pickups from a web-order website there is no indication as to which position they should installed. What are the main factors I should be considering to choose which pup goes where?

 

[ToneFiddler]

ine has a white, the other a white lead….
one indication!

you could measure the DCR.
the lowest is normally the neck but some like the middle to be weaker….

 

[FrenchCanada]

The PJ ceramics on my Godin Bass curiously had the same lead color: one yellow and one white. I'm thinking maybe the two remaining ground wires go on the pots and somewhere else...however I can totally be wrong. Once I have the instrument I'll send photos.

 

[FrenchCanada]

OK, so i've removed the pickguard on the guitar to reveal the wiring and soldering. Turns out the Humbucker has one fat wire only that looks like its soldered on the casing of the pickup selector switch. For me this is problematic because I've yet to see a humbucker without the silver ground casing and lead wire inside to solder at two places. I think I will abandon this project. Any thoughts?

 

[donaldr]

Don't abandon anything so quickly. I just swapped the pickups on my Godin Exit 22 for an EMG 60/S/S set I had lying around. It was a very easy project.

Is my understanding correct that you are wanting to replace the pickups but haven't played the guitar yet? (thread started May 6th and you received the guitar May 15th)
I would suggest playing it for a while because that might influence your pickup decision, like changing the bridge humbucker too. I had a GHB-1 and it was nothing to wrote about.

If you are struggling with the wiring, I would suggest to remove everything from the pickguard and put it in a ziplock bag. Then buy 2x CTS pots, 1x CRL switch, 1x Switchcraft jack and 2x Orange Drop capacitors. Maybe SSL-1 will be too bright with 500k pots (that might being used currently). IMO, SSL-1 are a particularly good match to Pearly Gates and Screamin Demon in SSH Strats using 250K pots.

SD pickups are very difficult to find in guitar shop in Quebec (I'm assuming based on your avatar name) and the distributor has almost nothing in stock. Took me 3 months to get a STK-S7 and a Screamin Demon. I wanted to order a STK-S4 in 2019, called the distributor and told me 3-6 months. So I order in eBay and received it in less than a week. If you want to buy a Screamin Demon let me know