Swapping pickups is one of the most effective ways to reshape the character of your guitar and bring it closer to the sound you hear in your head. Whether you\u2019re chasing more clarity, higher output, tighter lows, or a smoother response, the right pickups can make a dramatic difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m not of the view that expensive pickups contain some kind of magic \u2014 at their core they\u2019re coils of wire and magnets \u2014 but different designs, outputs, and voicings absolutely do change how a guitar responds. In fact, fitting a quality set of pickups to a budget guitar (which often comes with weak or poorly voiced stock pickups) is one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every Pickup Job Is Different<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n At a glance, pickup replacement looks simple: remove the old units and wire in the new ones. In reality, it\u2019s rarely that straightforward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Different guitars use different:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the new pickups use different wiring standards or coil options, things quickly become more involved. No two pickup jobs are ever truly identical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Choosing the Right Pickups<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Before any work starts, it\u2019s always best to have a chat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ll talk about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are thousands of pickup models on the market, and plenty of marketing hype to go with them. Many players simply choose what their favourite guitarist uses \u2014 which can work, but it isn\u2019t always the best solution for your guitar or playing style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Different guitars will sound different even with the same pickups installed, which makes choosing blind a bit of a gamble. A quick conversation can save you spending a lot of money on something that isn\u2019t quite right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re considering a change, it\u2019s always worth talking it through first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pricing & What to Expect<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pickup fitting itself is straightforward if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, once the strings and scratchplate or control cavity are removed, other issues often reveal themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Common problems include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reassembly can also introduce extra work, especially if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Where additional work is needed, I\u2019ll always explain what\u2019s involved before going ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pickup Replacement Prices<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Restringing (required for pickup work):<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the guitar would benefit from a proper setup, I\u2019ll let you know and you can decide whether to go ahead:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Strings:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\n
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