Best method for installing J pickup on P Bass??

I’ve heard a rusty steak knife is the best way to achieve that vintage sound/look.



Seriously, there are some great templates available. Makes it a fairly simple mod.

 

From what I gather you want to cut the finish with a razor before routing to avoid chipping the finish.

This is a hit and run post in a section of the forum where I am far out classed. So I will go away now and leave you to some very skilled advisors.

 

Very carefully.

 

Double stick tape and a neck shim to raise the action enough to clear the pickup.

Seriously, there’s plenty of inexpensive templates available. Pattern follower bits from Woodcraft or online. Try the template over the pickup before you route. Not all jazz pickups or templates are the same.

Attach the template (really can use double stick tape here), use that to score the paint around the outer edges, remove most of the wood with a Forstner bit and drill press, route away.

You’ll probably want a long drill bit, called an aircraft bit, to drill the wire channel into the control cavity.

Sounds easy...