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Remove and replace a pickup without removing strings
- Thread starter Brozzy
- Start date
Probably. You just need to get the pickguard off and the old pickup out. Keeping the strings on makes it more difficult than necessary however.
Kinda like getting the creme-filling out of a Twinkie without disturbing the sponge cake.
Riis
Riis
Yes, you can, but first you have to loosen the strings a lot, remove the pickguard and be very careful. I've done it many times.
Here's the video...
Here's the video...
^^This^^
You don’t have to take the strings out of the bridge, but off the tuning pegs and off to the side will make your life easier. It will also help to use something to protect your finish. Something as simple as blue painters tape works.
I have the GZR in my Sire P5 and it’s great! I also installed an EMG wiring harness at the same time.
Why not remove the strings? It's the easiest and quickest step in the process.
Gene Simmons would have no problem with this.
I use it as an opportunity to do some light housekeeping chores like polishing the frets, checking / addressing nut slots, etc.
Riis
When I changed to a GZR on my Precision, I just loosened the strings with a capo on by the nut. Hold the strings up with one hand and gently pull out the pickguard. Same with a Sonic Bronco, or even a Strat for that matter. I never take strings off the tuners unless necessary.
Just remove the darn strings. It is the time to clean and oil your FB if is it is not a lacquered maple. If you are worried about messing up the silks at the very least, loosen them so you can put them on the side. You do not have to remove them from the bridge, where usually the silk damage occurs. But yes you can do it and probably takes more effort than removing the strings. I've been there
Can you? Yes. Do you want to? Maybe not, it greatly increases the chance of scratching the finish or banging something up on the bass. Removing the strings is easy, straightforward, and painless, just remove them at the headstock end, move them out of the way, and swap the pickup.
If you loosen the strings enough to slip something like a rolled up towel under them, you can make room to remove pickups pretty easily.
But as mentioned, it's still harder than just taking the strings off the posts, angling them to the side, doing the work, then putting them back.
But as mentioned, it's still harder than just taking the strings off the posts, angling them to the side, doing the work, then putting them back.
There's another benefit to removing the strings; the twist. When installing strings, a twist can sneak in which adds unneeded tension and can ever-so-slightly inhibit their ability to move properly. (In my line of work, we call it "Range of Motion" or ROM.) Taking the strings off can let them unwind.
How can you tell if there's a twist? If the coiled end of the string turns end-over-end once or more when released from the tuning peg.
There's a trick I do anytime I install new strings. I get it up to tune, grasp the string somewhere along the neck and gently, but firmly, pull towards the bridge to keep tension on the wraps around the peg. Then, I let tension off at the tuner so the ball-end of the string can pop out of the bridge. Almost every time it pops out, the ball will turn once or twice, bleeding off the unnecessary torque/twisting tension. Once it's done turning, I add tension back at the tuner and bring it back to tune.
One other simple trick I learned from my local guitar tech; when the strings are removed, use something to hold the string together so they don't fling themselves wherever they want to go…a rubber band, a twisty-tie or even a little low-adhesive artist's tape is all it takes.
How can you tell if there's a twist? If the coiled end of the string turns end-over-end once or more when released from the tuning peg.
There's a trick I do anytime I install new strings. I get it up to tune, grasp the string somewhere along the neck and gently, but firmly, pull towards the bridge to keep tension on the wraps around the peg. Then, I let tension off at the tuner so the ball-end of the string can pop out of the bridge. Almost every time it pops out, the ball will turn once or twice, bleeding off the unnecessary torque/twisting tension. Once it's done turning, I add tension back at the tuner and bring it back to tune.
One other simple trick I learned from my local guitar tech; when the strings are removed, use something to hold the string together so they don't fling themselves wherever they want to go…a rubber band, a twisty-tie or even a little low-adhesive artist's tape is all it takes.
What strings do you have on? Fragile strings are a real thing. I had a EB cobalt flat break when changing pickups and pickguard once in my life. If the strings are normal and not known for being fragile, you are probably better off at least removing the strings from the tuner posts. Pick guards make everything super difficult regardless...
If you’re asking this question I’d advise to take it to a tech for the pickup swap.
