Installing a new pickup

[blues_bassist]

I'm gonna install a '62 RI P-Bass pu on my MIM P-bass. Am I gonna need to replace my strings in order to install the pu?

[Rattman]

Hello Blues Bassist... The strings are directly over the pickup pole pieces, so yeah... the strings will need to be carefully removed to do the job. But will removing the strings mess them up so they'll need to be replaced? That depends on the condition of the strings. Most of the time I'd be right if I'd say "no".. but then again, the condition of the strings matters. Detuning and retuning back to pitch can snap a crummy, rusting string.. I've seen it happen. Only you would know the shape they are in currently.

[Pilgrim]

Remove, yes. Replace, no. Just remove them, then re-install when done.