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Advice on Pickup Upgrade

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  • 07-03-2023 10:06am
    #1
    nedd
    Registered Users Posts: 2,022 ✭✭✭


    Hi,

    Bit of background, I start learning guitar during lockdown, still very much a beginner. A friend gave me his old Yamaha Pacifica (30 years old). It's fine but I would love an upgrade. I like the feel of it and the neck is nice.

    I'm thinking of a little project to upgrade the electronics. Doing a little research and I'm getting a little swamped. I only want to spend about €100ish so not looking at Seymore Duncans.

    Any advice would be very welcome, I would love a pre-wired kit I can just slot in but I am OK with a little soldering.



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    #2
    feylya
    Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 23,361 Mod ✭✭✭✭feylya


    You're not going to get much for 100, especially pre-wired. This is the closest I could find that's decent https://www.thomann.de/ie/fender_pre_wired_st_pickguard_tex_mex_479115.htm

    Do you have any particular sound in mind, or something that's missing that's suggesting an upgrade?



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    #3
    nedd
    Registered Users Posts: 2,022 ✭✭✭nedd


    Thanks for the reply.

    Basically the guitar is old, pickups are rusty, pots are crackly. Ideally I would invest in a new guitar but I like the idea of upgrading what I have.

    Sound wise, I am very much beginner but it's basically rock/blues sound. Not Jazz or Death Metal. Somewhere in the middle.



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    #4
    -=al=-
    Registered Users Posts: 4,286 ✭✭✭-=al=-


    Wilkinson vintage strat pickups with alnico magnets probably offer the best value @ about €25 each such as - https://tinyurl.com/2p8mvypy From China but an example of what to look for. Maybe there's a UK/Eurpean seller with similar

    If it's the HSS Yamaha make sure the middle pickup is reverse wound reverse polarity

    New pots would go a long way, Aplha or CTS pots are a few quid each An audio/linear pot combo would be fine but doesn't really matter

    That would be probbly done for less than €100 and best bang for buck considering one half decent pickup is €80+

    As for what you have, some contact cleaner and wd40 would go a long way cleaning out old electronics



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    #5
    nedd
    Registered Users Posts: 2,022 ✭✭✭nedd


    Thanks for all that info. I will have a look at everything you mentioned.

    Out of boredom I just ordered an Audio Interface so I may have blown my budget there :-(



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    #6
    feylya
    Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 23,361 Mod ✭✭✭✭feylya


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120326002#Comment_120326002

    Do not use normal WD-40 on pots. It will leave a coating on the pot tracks. Contact cleaner is the right way.



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    #7
    nedd
    Registered Users Posts: 2,022 ✭✭✭nedd


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120326923#Comment_120326923

    I have got through all the electronics with contact cleaner. It made a massive difference.



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    #8
    martinedwards
    Registered Users Posts: 2,043 ✭✭✭martinedwards


    guitarfetish.com do some excellent electronics



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