Does installing a pickup devalue the guitar or warranty

Quickstep192 · #1 02-19-2018, 06:20 AM

I have a pristine, recent vintage Martin guitar that I’m considering having a pickup and strap button added to. The pickup would be a K and K mini which would involve sticking the transducers to the bridge plate and enlarging the endpin hole to accept the jack. The strap button would be added to the heel.

In your opinions, do either of these lower the value of the guitar assuming professional installation that doesn’t otherwise damage the guitar?

Do you know if the work would affect the Martin warranty in any way?

(By the way, the guy I would have do both is an authorized Martin Repair Facility)

As always, your sage advice is appreciated.

mirwa · #2 02-19-2018, 06:31 AM

I once actually had this discussion with one of the manufacturers I work for, unfortunatley it wasn’t Martin guitars, but the explanation made sense. I raised the question as the customer was determined to have a pre-amp installed into the side of the guitar, and it was brand new, straight from the store.

Long story short, provided it does not compromise the structural integrity of the instrument and any resultant warranty claims have not been created from said installation, all is good.

K&K system is extremely non invasive.

Steve

murrmac123 · #3 02-19-2018, 06:53 AM

Absolutely no problem. If anything, IMO it should by rights actually add value. I have fitted K&K's on almost all my guitars (all high-end but none of them "vintage").

You wouldn't want to fit one in a pre-war Martin however ...

John Arnold · #4 02-19-2018, 07:12 AM

Nope. I remove many more pickups than I install. I plug the end pin hole with mahogany, then drill and ream for a standard end pin. Same with strap buttons. Plugging the hole and touching it up makes it acceptable to the majority of potential buyers. It has never kept me from buying a guitar, for sure.

murrmac123 · #5 02-23-2018, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Arnold

Nope. I remove many more pickups than I install. I plug the end pin hole with mahogany, then drill and ream for a standard end pin. Same with strap buttons. Plugging the hole and touching it up makes it acceptable to the majority of potential buyers. It has never kept me from buying a guitar, for sure.

Would I be correct in assuming that the "many more pickups" you remove are under-saddle pickups , and that the removal of same is for the purpose of increased acoustic tonal response ?

I can hardly imagine that many (or indeed any) purchasers of guitars with K&K fitted pickups are going to submit them for transducer removal.