Replacing Guitar Pickups: Choosing Well & How To Do It

Replacing guitar pickups is one of the most effective ways to improve your guitar’s tone. Upgrading pickups can breathe new life into your electric guitar.

So, whether you’re aiming for the classic sparkle of single coils or the warm growl of humbuckers, prepare yourself for some DIY action.

Even if you’ve never soldered before, this process is simpler than you imagined it to be and is completely reversible if you ever make mistakes.

In this article, we will explore the process of replacing pickups on electric guitars. If you’re looking for a guide on acoustic guitar pickup installation, Stewmac made a comprehensive guide for that purpose.

We include some things to consider before starting to make sure that you’re ready for this upgrade, as well as some useful tips.

Why Replace Guitar Pickups?

Upgrading your guitar’s pickups is a cost-effective way to fine-tune your guitar’s sound. With the right upgrade, you can achieve subtle to significant improvements to your guitar’s tone and response, compared to the stock pickups. And with these enhancements, you’ll notice that your guitar plays like a dream.

Swapping out an old pickup is also a great option if you’re chasing a specific sound. You can make even inexpensive guitars better suited to your playing style and preferences. In addition, changing your original pickups can enhance your electric guitar’s versatility.

Tools and Preparation

You’ll need the following tools:

• Soldering iron and solder
• Wire cutters/strippers
• Screwdrivers
• New wires
• Multimeter (optional for testing connections)
• A clear wiring diagram (either downloaded or photographed before starting)

Make sure you’re working in a well-lit, organized space to avoid losing pickup screws or damaging components. Take clear photos of your guitar’s current wiring before you start so you can easily refer back to them during reassembly.

Replacing Guitar Pickups Step-by-Step Process

1. Remove the Strings and Access the Electronics

Before installing guitar pickups, you need to loosen and remove your guitar strings. This will create space for the pickup swap. Depending on your guitar type, you’ll either remove the pickguard for Strats, or the backplate for a Les Paul pickup upgrade.

This helps access the electronics, but be cautious while unscrewing these parts to avoid damaging the wiring.

2. How to Wire Guitar Pickups & Desolder the Original Pickup Wires

Pickups typically have two wires: a hot wire (often white or red) and a ground wire (usually black, bare, or green wire).

Trace the wires to see where they connect—hot wires usually attach to the switch, while ground wires connect to the pot casing.

While a wiring diagram helps a lot, it’s still best to snap some photos for added reference. Then, with a soldering iron, carefully desolder the connections and gently remove the old pickups.

3. Install the New Pickup

Fit the new pickup into the existing cavity, ensuring it aligns with the pickguard or pickup ring. Some pickups, like the Tele bridge pickup, are specific to the guitar model and configuration. If necessary, trim the leads to the ideal length, leaving just enough slack to reach the connections. Strip a small section of insulation from each wire before soldering.

4. How to Solder Guitar Pickups

Make sure your soldering iron is hot enough to create smooth joints without overheating the components.

Then, solder the hot wire to the same lug on the switch where the old hot wire was connected. Then, solder the ground wire to the back of the volume pot. Ensure that the wires are connected properly to each part, including the tone pot and input jack. Note that manufacturers don’t follow a standard code for wire colors, so a green or black wire may function differently as you work on different guitars.

5. Test the Pickup

Before fully reassembling the guitar, test the pickup by lightly tapping the poles. You can use a screwdriver or even your finger, while the guitar is plugged into an amp.

If you hear a sound, your wiring is correct. If not, check the connections.

6. Repeat for Multiple Pickups

If you’re replacing guitar pickups (more than one or a set), repeat the process for each. And ensure the wiring matches, by looking at your reference photos or diagram.

7. Troubleshooting

If your new pickups aren’t working as expected, revisit your photos and double-check your wiring. Look for cold solder joints or misplaced connections, and compare everything to the wiring diagram. If issues persist, then your best course of action is to consult with experienced techs at your nearby luthiers or even at a Guitar Center. This is even more true when you’re dealing with a precious old guitar, or an expensive guitar.

8. Reassemble and Adjust

Once all pickups are installed and working properly, reattach the pickguard or backplate. Then restring your guitar.

Adjust the pickup height to the ideal distance from the strings. This makes for optimal output and tone. This also ensures the output is consistent when you use the pickup selector. Different pickups will require different adjustments to pickup heights. Refer to the photos and measurements you took prior to changing the pickups.

Things to Consider Before Changing Pickups on Guitar

This guitar mod is generally reversible. However, think about factors like cost and compatibility before you change pickups.

• Risk: If you’re working on a cheaper guitar or practicing your skills, it’s okay to take risks. However, if you’re working on a cherished guitar, take the time to plan your upgrade carefully.
• Tone Fit: Ensure that the pickups you choose will fit well and offer the tone you’re looking for, especially for a guitar you rely on heavily.
• Pickups to Guitar Type Factor: Pickups react differently based on the guitar type. For example, active pickups in mahogany Les Pauls tends to sound thicker. In contrast, they’re brighter in lightweight Strats. Semi-hollow guitars, on the other hand, produce more warmth and resonance than solid bodies. This impacts how pickups like P90s or humbucker pickups sound. Guitar body material and construction affect pickup performance. So, matching replacement pickups to your guitar is crucial for optimal tone.
• Other Factors: Both the bridge pickup and neck pickup need to be compatible with your guitar type. Amp settings, string type, and your playing style can also affect the sound. Thankfully, there is no strict rule, you can still get a great tone even in unusual combinations. An extended explanation of this topic is in the FAQs section.
• Preparation and Tools: Research wiring diagrams and take photos of your current setup. This includes measuring pickup heights for future reference. Bridge pickups in particular require a good setup for best results. Gather the necessary tools for a smooth installation process.

Tips for a Smooth Upgrade

• Color Coding: Different brands use varying wire color codes, so always refer to the wiring diagram for both the old and new pickups. Match connections based on function, not color.
• Pots and Jacks: If you’re upgrading volume/tone pots or the jack, ensure the new components will fit your guitar’s cavity. Some guitars, particularly overseas models, have smaller cavities. This might require further adjustments for larger components.
• Clean Soldering: Be patient with soldering. Use a clean, well-tinned soldering iron for better heat transfer, and avoid rushing the process to ensure solid connections.

Conclusion

Replacing guitar pickups is a rewarding and exciting way to explore different tones and improve your guitar’s sound.

With the right tools and preparation, the process is manageable for players of any skill level. And remember, if you don’t love the sound, you can always upgrade guitar pickups until you find the perfect match for your guitar.

FAQs on Replacing Guitar Pickups

Is Expensive Always Better?

The quality of budget electric guitars continues to increase, along with affordable guitar pickups. As a result, many players now discover that only a few tweaks are needed for their Squier Strat or Epiphone Les Paul. One of the most popular and impactful modifications is upgrading pickups on guitar for better ones. It’s no secret that big-name brands like TV Jones, Seymour Duncan, and Lollar have a strong following. However, is it really worth spending hundreds of dollars on what are essentially magnets wrapped in wire? It’s surprising how often players invest as much in new pickups as they did in the guitar itself.

Fortunately, with an array of budget guitar pickups available online, you can experiment with various quality pickups. They can cost less than a single pair from a well-known brand. Sure, if you’re aiming to replicate a legendary guitar model, you might want to invest in that specific Trembucker or a TV Jones Filter’tron. But if you’re just looking to enhance the sound of those stock Strat pickups in your Squier Affinity, there are options without breaking the bank. Brands like Musiclily, Dragonfire, and GuitarFetish provide fantastic-sounding pickups. In a range of configurations and styles, you can achieve a noticeable sound quality improvement.

Is Changing Pickups on Guitar Really the Solution?

A lot of players end up wanting to change guitar pickups because they’re just not happy with their guitar’s sound. While pickups are definitely key to finding that ideal tone, they’re just one part of the overall sound equation. If your electric guitar isn’t comfortable or doesn’t play well in your hands, it probably won’t inspire you much. So, before you rush into swapping pickups on your cherished or affordable guitar, make sure the neck is set up the way you like it—this can really affect how you play and feel.

And don’t forget about your strings. Old or cheap strings can seriously hold back your tone. It’s important to change them regularly and choose the gauge that feels best for you. For instance, if you’re playing a short-scale guitar like a Fender Jaguar or Mustang, picking the right string size can make a big difference in sound. Thicker strings will add more tension across the neck, resulting in greater responsiveness and a brighter tone. Plus, if you like to downtune, make sure you have the right gauge. Using strings that are too light can lead to a loose, muddy sound, no matter how great your pickups are.

What is Pickup Direct to Jack Wiring?

Pickup direct-to-jack wiring connects the guitar pickup directly to the output jack, bypassing the tone and volume controls. This guitar pickup wiring aims for a “pure tone,” but it leads to an “icepick tone,” characterized by a sharp spike in the overtone range. Pickups are designed to work into a load of 125 to 250 kOhms provided by pots (potentiometers). Without them, the pickup sees the amp’s load (about 1 mOhm), causing tonal issues. Instead, it’s better to replace the controls with resistors and a capacitor that mimics the original values. This will allow the pickup to operate within its intended musical range. If you like the sound of direct wiring, your rig might be too dark.

Do Replacement Guitar Pickups or Other Upgraded Parts Fit Into Your Guitar?

This is a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of DIY guitar pickup upgrades or guitar modifications in general. Not every electric guitar part will fit your instrument perfectly, and the same goes for different types of guitar pickups.

For example, will that newly loaded pickguard align with your guitar? Do the pickups match the guitar’s body cavity or pickguard cutouts? And if you’re upgrading the pots, will they fit into the cramped electronics cavity of a budget-friendly guitar? These details are important.

Going a bit deeper, the brand or country of origin can lead to significant differences in build specs. Many affordable guitars that you might want to upgrade often have snug electronic cavities. This means a high-quality loaded pickguard with premium pots and coil splits might not fit as expected. Years ago, this wouldn’t be an issue, but this is expected as more manufacturers produce their own guitars.

You could end up frustrated, deciding whether to enlarge the cavity or look for someone who can do it for you. Plus, the body cavity of a Strat can hold surprises—what if your SSS Strat is actually routed for an HSH or HSS configuration? And don’t forget to consider whether you want Active vs Passive Pickups.

That’s why it’s smart to research your specific model before doing any modifications. While you’re at it, take the chance to peek inside when you change strings to see what’s happening under the hood.

It can be disheartening to find yourself with pickups or a wiring harness that doesn’t quite fit your electric guitar. So, what can you do to make them work? While tasks like routing or using a Dremel aren’t overly complicated, they do require the right tools and some skills. If you’re on a budget, investing in a router might not be the best option, especially if you don’t have the space or confidence to use it without causing issues.

But don’t let that discourage you from trying DIY mods. Most upgrades can be done quite easily without advanced tools. The key takeaway is to carefully assess what will fit your electric guitar. Fortunately, some companies, like Guitarfetish,  design their pre-wired harnesses with smaller pots specifically for overseas-made guitars, allowing for hassle-free upgrades. And here’s an added tip: keep a soldering iron, some extra solder, and a couple of screwdrivers handy when you’re ready to install those new parts.