Snipping Pickup Wires

Log Out | Topics | Search Moderators | Edit Profile

Author Message   Thedude Username: Thedude Registered: 5-2007 Posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - 6:07 pm:    I've seen the lazy man way of installing new pickups by simply snipping the wires on the old ones and splicing the new leads on. I assume before winding the leads together and taping the splice you need to solder the connection as well. I tend to think this method is not the way to go as it may degrade the pickup signal, not to mention leaving the old pups with short leads. Anyone here had good or bad experience with trying this?   Fingersmcoy Username: Fingersmcoy Registered: 10-2006 Posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - 7:55 pm:    Ive done it once because the leads were already cut.But you should de-solder ends! I know it can be time comsuming but anything worth doing takes time. <fingers book of wisdom   Dave_g Username: Dave_g Registered: 1-2002 Posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - 8:24 pm:    Snipping the wire on a pickup to save time is just dumb. It doesn't take any additional time to de solder,and you don't have to ruin a pickup ! The "pigtail" splices usually are the cause of many of the crackles and snaps that you hear on a "weekend Luthier" guitar. I always advise to take the time, do it right and your guitar will outlive you   Thedude Username: Thedude Registered: 5-2007 Posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - 10:05 pm:    Good advice all round guys. Maybe this will save some nice pickups out there from having an unnecessary snipping thus rendering them less then desirable. I understand a hesitancy to have to pull out the wiring harness from say a semi-hollowbody guitar but as you say, it's worth the time.   Fingersmcoy Username: Fingersmcoy Registered: 10-2006 Posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - 11:12 pm:    And will also get you more moolah if you want to sell the pups on e-bay   Bobzilla Username: Bobzilla Registered: 2-2005 Posted on Saturday, July 28, 2007 - 4:57 pm:    I was stupid enuff to snip the pups out of a Scruggs. I snipped the wires apprx. 1/2" from the pup. Had tech re-do the solder and ........ voila. There's No additional noise and I cannot discern any difference at all between pre-snip and post snip. Now, I haven't opened it up since but maybe tech just did the right thing and didn't really splice anything, I should ask.   Mr_roadstar Username: Mr_roadstar Registered: 6-2002 Posted on Saturday, July 28, 2007 - 5:42 pm:    If you must snip, snip as close to the switch/pot connections as possible. There's my $.02 The Bear

Add Your Message Here Post: -Color- Black Red Green Blue Yellow Purple Orange Cyan Gray White -Font- Arial Courier Symbol Times Verdana -Size- Smallest (-2) Small (-1) Normal Large (+1) Largest (+2) Enter Item number: Username: Posting Information: This is a private posting area. Only registered users and moderators may post messages here. Password: Options: Post as "Anonymous" Enable HTML code in message Automatically activate URLs in message Action: