Changing a bass pickup involves several steps. Here’s a general guide on how to change the pickup on a bass guitar:
1. Gather Tools and Materials: You’ll need a soldering iron, solder, wire cutters, screwdrivers, the new pickup, pickup rings (if applicable), a wiring diagram for your bass model, and some masking tape.
2. Safety First: Make sure your bass is unplugged to prevent electrical accidents.
3. Remove Strings: Take off the strings from your bass to provide better access to the pickup area.
4. Remove Pickguard or Backplate: Depending on your bass’s design, you might need to remove the pickguard or backplate to access the pickup cavities.
5. Identify Pickup Connections: Take a photo or make a note of how the existing pickup wires are connected to the electronics. This will help you reconnect the new pickup correctly.
6. Disconnect Old Pickup: Carefully desolder the connections from the old pickup and remove it from the pickup cavity.
7. Check Wiring Diagram: Refer to the wiring diagram provided by the pickup manufacturer or your bass’s manufacturer to understand how to connect the new pickup.
8. Install Pickup Rings: If the new pickup requires pickup rings, attach them to the bass body using the provided screws.
9. Connect New Pickup: Solder the wires from the new pickup to the appropriate spots on the bass’s electronics. Typically, this involves connecting the pickup’s hot wire, ground wire, and possibly other wires according to the wiring diagram.
10. Secure Pickup: Gently place the new pickup into the pickup rings (if used) and secure it in place using any provided screws.
11. Replace Pickguard or Backplate: If you removed the pickguard or backplate, carefully put it back in its place.
12. Soldering Tips: Ensure your soldering connections are tidy, secure, and properly insulated. Avoid cold solder joints and make sure the connections are solid.
13. Test the Connection: Before restringing your bass, plug it into an amplifier and test the new pickup’s functionality. Listen for any issues and make sure the sound is coming through as expected.
14. Adjust Pickup Height: Depending on your bass’s design, you might need to adjust the pickup’s height for optimal sound. Experiment with the height to find the right balance.
15. Restring and Tune: Once you’re satisfied with the new pickup installation and testing, restring your bass and tune it.
Remember that working on your guitar’s electronics requires some skill in soldering and handling delicate parts.
If you’re not experienced with soldering or working on guitars, it’s advisable to have the pickup change done by a professional guitar technician or luthier to avoid any damage to your instrument.
Here’s how I change my standard pickup to DiMarzio Relentless pickup