Pickup replacement - cost?

[TheGreek]

Both my regular luthier and tech guy have been taken down with Cancer so I've been forced into finding other local tradesmen. 

Thing is they're all charging significantly more than my regular guys.

 

What is a fair price for a pickup replacement job?

[PaulThePlug]

Simple swap no woodwork? Not got a soldering iron?

Prolly a couple of beers if someone is local has..

 

Planet Guitars are just around the corner to me... bench time is £25/hour... so £25.

https://www.planetguitar.org.uk/our-services/electronics/

Edited November 7, 2022 by PaulThePlug

[velvetkevorkian]

Can't speak to whether it's fair but I paid about £60 to get a set of pickups swapped at Strung Out Guitars in Glasgow recently. £25/h seems on the low side for quality labour to me, especially in our current times.

[kodiakblair]

Quick Google turned up.

 

Northwest Guitars prices start at £25.

Flame Guitars (Sutton) £40.

Jim's Guitars (Leeds) £30

Guitar Hospital (Whitstable/London) £30 if no routing, £40+ if routing required.

Guitar Lodge (Felixstowe) £35.

[Velarian]

If it were me, I’d spend the money on a soldering iron and figure out how to do it myself. Alternatively, buy a solderless wiring loom and replace that at the same time. Dead easy. 

[NancyJohnson]

If it's a like for like swap, do it yourself!  It's pretty easy.

[velvetkevorkian]

26 minutes ago, NancyJohnson said:

If it's a like for like swap, do it yourself!  It's pretty easy.

Ah, I see you've never seen my attempts at soldering.🙈

[Paul S]

 

My hands shake too much to do any soldering but something like this works just fine.

[lemmywinks]

Can get set up with a little digital iron, power supply and stand for around £60 or so, do as many pickup swaps as you want then.

[Lozz196]

Calling @gary mac

[gary mac]

14 hours ago, Lozz196 said:

Calling @gary mac

Thanks Lozz. Mick has my number, happy to be of service if I'm needed.

[rmorris]

21 hours ago, Paul S said:

 

My hands shake too much to do any soldering but something like this works just fine.

 

If you have the space for this then also look at WAGO lever type electrical connectors. Don't even need a screwdriver - just wire cut / strip.

[NancyJohnson]

7 minutes ago, rmorris said:

 

If you have the space for this then also look at WAGO lever type electrical connectors. Don't even need a screwdriver - just wire cut / strip.

 

I used some little push/pull connectors when I hardwired my East preamps, way easier than screwing into a Lego style block.  

 

Wago connectors are fantastic, it has to be said.  I've never considered using them in a guitar application.  I've got to put a humbucker into a guitar later this week.  Top tip!

[rmorris]

2 minutes ago, NancyJohnson said:

 

I used some little push/pull connectors when I hardwired my East preamps, way easier than screwing into a Lego style block.  

 

Wago connectors are fantastic, it has to be said.  I've never considered using them in a guitar application.  I've got to put a humbucker into a guitar later this week.  Top tip!

 

Yes. It's always worth a look at what's available from the electrical trade. Space can be an issue obvs and compatibility with stranded wire depending on the connector. Although you can use ferrules or just "solder it solid" as best suits in those cases. No need to worry about a n IEC compliance inspection 🙂

[NancyJohnson]

3 hours ago, rmorris said:

 

Yes. It's always worth a look at what's available from the electrical trade. Space can be an issue obvs and compatibility with stranded wire depending on the connector. Although you can use ferrules or just "solder it solid" as best suits in those cases. No need to worry about a n IEC compliance inspection 🙂

 

Brief update.  I just installed a Tonerider Generator humbucker in the bridge position on an Epiphone Phantomatic...there just wasn't the space for two Wago connectors in the cavity, so I ended up going the old route and using the same connectors I'd used to install the John East preamps.  They're on Amazon (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B06WGM9W7S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1).  They're like £7 for 20 pairs.