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EMG 45DC Woes...

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by MikeLindgren, Dec 8, 2005.

  1. Dec 8, 2005 #1
    MikeLindgren

    MikeLindgren

    Oct 6, 2005
    Atlanta, GA
    Greetings! I am not an experienced luthier/electronics wizard, but here is my problem, and hopefully the right person can assist me.

    I recently purchased an EMG 45DC to install in my Ibanez Ergodyne EDA905. Let me preface this by stating that the Piezo pickups on the EDA are INCREDIBLE! That being said, the stock magnetic pickup is quiet, and lifeless. So I decided to get an EMG 45DC. I dropped my axe and pickup off at the local Guitar Center to have it installed, and upon coming to pick it up after the due date, I was told that the pickup was too large for the cavity the original pickup is in.

    So here is my query: What can I do!? I will not accept no for an answer, as I love my guitar, but the magnetic pickup absolutely sucks. I am hell-bent on getting that 45DC in there.

    Can I dremel the cavity wider to accomodate the pickup? The luthier said that he "didn't have the tools" to install it properly. That being said, I have never installed a pickup before, as it has always just been cheap enough to let the "pros" handle it. On the flipside, I view my axe as my "lightsaber", and almost want to do my own work on it to feel closer to my weapon. Anyone know where I can find info, FAQs, or if you personally have encountered a similar problem?

    I MUST get this pickup in! I actually bought the bass as a "project" bass, and this is the first obstacle I've encountered.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks in advance,
    Your brother in bass,
    Mikael Lindgren
     
  2. Dec 8, 2005 #2
    MikeLindgren

    MikeLindgren

    Oct 6, 2005
    Atlanta, GA
    ...I will also mention that the width of the cavity isn't the problem, it is the height. The pickup is larger by about 2mm.
     
  3. Dec 9, 2005 #3
    mahrous

    mahrous

    Aug 13, 2005
    Egypt
    its easy and can be done using a chisel (sp?) or a router mahine or a drill press.

    as i understood, u need to increase the depth of ur pickup cavity. so take out some more luthite (not wood) from the floor
     
  4. Dec 9, 2005 #4
    BruceWane

    BruceWane

    Oct 31, 2002
    Houston, TX
    If it's that close, you could probably (very carefully) grind a little off of each side of the pickup casing itself. I'd sooner do that than cut into the bass itself - it's a lot easier (and cheaper) to go back if you need or want to.

    If you do this, keep in mind that you don't have to remove material from the entire side of the pickup, just the part that will fit down into the route.

    And it'll come out a whole lot neater and more even if you do it with a belt sander instead of a dremel. Dremels are handy for some stuff, but they kinda suck for doing neat, precise work. Actually, for as little as you need to take off, I'd just go down to Home Depot and get a sanding block and some sandpaper and do it by hand. It'll be a little slow, it'll take some patience, but it'll do the job and you're a lot less likely to dig into it too deep.