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how to replace pickups and what to replace them with


DanH71
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Hi,

noob to DIY BASS style.

so apart from the obvious [screw driver and steady hands] what do I need to change my pups? im talking in terms of what type of solder to hook up the pickups to the existing wiring? [not looking to perform electrical open heart surgery by ripping pout the old wiring]

haven't decided on what pups yet but would like

a. something that is jazzy and excels in bridge pickup type jaco growl
b. a product that doesn't require new wiring or batteries etc

so far look at the Di Marzio Model J, Fender Custom Shop 60 and Bartolini 9SU/LS [https://www.bartolini.net/product/9su-ls/] but not sure if the barts are gonna
need new wiring or any additional elements [batteries etc].

just want nice pick ups plug and play style;)

any recommendations and a heads up on solder type would be great!

thanks

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Your link doesn't work for some reason. Try this one:
[url="https://www.bartolini.net/product/9su-ls/"]https://www.bartolin...product/9su-ls/[/url]

Those shouldn't need a battery. So it should be a straight case of 1-out, 1-in.

[url="https://youtu.be/fajbgkT7Lcw"]http://youtu.be/fajbgkT7Lcw[/url]

Also, why not go for a hum cancelling pup. Jess Loureiro does some great, hand wound pups.

http://jlguitars.eu/shop/index.php?id_category=16&controller=category&id_lang=4

Edited by Grangur
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You don't necessarily need to solder. Open the access panel at the back, find the pickup wires, take a picture of which one goes where, snip them and then use a screw terminal for rejoining the new pickup wires.

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[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1497542921' post='3319008']
Your link doesn't work for some reason. Try this one:
[url="https://www.bartolini.net/product/9su-ls/"]https://www.bartolin...product/9su-ls/[/url]

Those shouldn't need a battery. So it should be a straight case of 1-out, 1-in.

[url="https://youtu.be/fajbgkT7Lcw"]http://youtu.be/fajbgkT7Lcw[/url]
[/quote]

Thanks @Grangur,

So I was looking at these but then I saw on that page the menu for wiring and got scared and ran away. But if I can just swap them out (checking my pickup aperture sizes 1st;) these could be good.

Do you have any experience with these pickups or any else for that matter that are potential candidates?

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You can't go wrong with Barts. They're good, but why not go for a hum cancelling pup. Jess Loureiro does some great, hand wound pups.

[url="http://jlguitars.eu/shop/index.php?id_category=16&controller=category&id_lang=4"]http://jlguitars.eu/...egory&id_lang=4[/url]

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[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1497543119' post='3319012']
You don't necessarily need to solder. Open the access panel at the back, find the pickup wires, take a picture of which one goes where, snip them and then use a screw terminal for rejoining the new pickup wires.
[/quote]

Cheers Paul,

But what is the access panel? Is it the chrome plate on which there are the tone and pickup volumes?

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[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1497543275' post='3319016']
You can't go wrong with Barts. They're good, but why not go for a hum cancelling pup. Jess Loureiro does some great, hand wound pups.

[url="http://jlguitars.eu/shop/index.php?id_category=16&controller=category&id_lang=4"]http://jlguitars.eu/...egory&id_lang=4[/url]
[/quote]

Thanks for the tip.
As they cancel hum do the require any addional procedures/install or is it a straight swap for these too?

I will see if I can find a clip of them being used somewhere.
Cheers

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I totally failed to find a clip of these in use. So I bought his P-bass pups and they're good.

No, I don't have a recording, and Barefaced Bass have them at the mo' doing some testing.

Installation would be the same.. You could also watch the video I linked too. JC, in the vid is installing dual-coil Aguilar pups.

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[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1497543802' post='3319030']
I totally failed to find a clip of these in use. So I bought his P-bass pups and they're good.

No, I don't have a recording, and Barefaced Bass have them at the mo' doing some testing.

Installation would be the same.. You could also watch the video I linked too. JC, in the vid is installing dual-coil Aguilar pups.
[/quote]

Videos very helpful, thanks.

Yeh, couldn't find anything in terms of JL clip myself.

Never knew aquilar did pickups!;) just recently bought a Tonehammer 350:hmmm

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[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1497591909' post='3319255']
A quick look at Maplins site and I found "Antex Lead-Free Solder 2m". That looks ok.

Steer clear of anything over 2mm gauge is the main thing. Maplin do their own brand rolls too. They're probably good too.
[/quote]

Thanks for both the offer and the heads up on what and where to find the solder!

It is much appreciated.

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EMG has some active pickups but other than those all others are passive, so will slot right in to your current wiring.

Before you change anything you should, a) know what problem you're trying to solve, b ) have a good idea that what you are doing will solve that problem, and c) make the changes in such a way as to let you easily back them out if you discover you didn't fix the problem or caused a new one.

Don't bother with solder, as previously posted, use connectors, then all you'll need is a screwdriver.

Draw a diagram of which wire goes where on your current pickup so you can match them up on the new pickup.

Leave plenty of wire to work with.

Edited by chris_b
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[quote name='DanH71' timestamp='1497543278' post='3319017']
Cheers Paul,

But what is the access panel? Is it the chrome plate on which there are the tone and pickup volumes?
[/quote]

That would be it. If you post a picture of your bass that would help a lot.

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[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1497608870' post='3319436']
That would be it. If you post a picture of your bass that would help a lot.
[/quote]
[sharedmedia=core:attachments:247229]
[sharedmedia=core:attachments:247227]
[sharedmedia=core:attachments:247363]

cheers

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[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1497602530' post='3319352']
EMG has some active pickups but other than those all others are passive, so will slot right in to your current wiring.

Before you change anything you should, a) know what problem you're trying to solve, b ) have a good idea that what you are doing will solve that problem, and c) make the changes in such a way as to let you easily back them out if you discover you didn't fix the problem or caused a new one.

Don't bother with solder, as previously posted, use connectors, then all you'll need is a screwdriver.

Draw a diagram of which wire goes where on your current pickup so you can match them up on the new pickup.

Leave plenty of wire to work with.
[/quote]

thanks for the tip!

so if i use connectors, do you know any that are appropriate?

cheers
D

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[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1497591909' post='3319255']
A quick look at Maplins site and I found "Antex Lead-Free Solder 2m". That looks ok.

Steer clear of anything over 2mm gauge is the main thing. Maplin do their own brand rolls too. They're probably good too.
[/quote]

I still use lead based solder, it flows better and works at a wider soldering temperature range..

If I was soldering all day I'd buy a proper work/rework station and use lead free :)

Edited by markstuk
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[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1497611262' post='3319454']
I still use lead based solder, it flows better and works at a wider soldering temperature range..

If I was soldering all day I'd buy a proper work/rework station and use lead free :)
[/quote]

cheers markstuk!

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[quote name='DanH71' timestamp='1497610495' post='3319448']
so if i use connectors, do you know any that are appropriate?
[/quote]
There are lots at B&Q and Screwfix, or any electrical shop you can find. The smallest ones would probably fit in the space better.

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so how do i find/deduce what amp screw terminal connector I need?

found these at maplin:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/5a-terminal-blocks-3-pack-l97ar?cmpid=ppc:batteries___power:pla:google&gclid=Cj0KEQjwg47KBRDk7LSu4LTD8eEBEiQAO4O6r3-o47cleHpDGsXHFsBw0KoDm0Me1T1JrsjP_gJqN8kaAose8P8HAQ

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