How complicated is it for a tech to add or replace pickups?

[ewalling]

I have two solid electric guitars - a Godin LGXT(split coil Seymour Duncan humbuckers) and a Godin RG-3 (Seymour Duncan single coils). I also have a Godin Multiac Spectrum (hollow-bodied acoustic electric with one Seymour Duncan lipstick pickup and individual bridge piezo acoustic pickups). I'm interested in adding a 'Gretsch' sound to one of these guitars and have wondered how complicated/expensive it might be for a pro to add a Filtertron pickup. I'd be especially interested in putting one on the Multiac. Anyone know anything about this?

[Steve DeRosa]

Just buy a Gretsch - easier all around, and this guy's clearing out 2015-16 models:

https://www.adorama.com/gr2509500506.html
https://www.adorama.com/gr2509500575.html
https://www.adorama.com/gr2509500577.html
https://www.adorama.com/gr2509100506.html
https://www.adorama.com/gr2509100575.html
https://www.adorama.com/gr2509100577.html
https://www.adorama.com/gr2509200506.html
https://www.adorama.com/gr2509200577.html
https://www.adorama.com/gr2509200575.html

Bought the last one back in May (for substantially more money, BTW) - here's the NGD review:

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=429905

Every bit the equal (and as often as not the superior) of not just the MIJ Professional Series but the vintage Brooklyn originals - been playing them since 1963, owned one since '64, played a few hundred over the years, so I'm not saying this lightly...

[ewalling]

Thanks for the reply, Steve. Interesting - so you don't find these models wanting alongside the Chet Atkins Jap-made models?

I am a little reluctant, though, to add another guitar to the fold. With three electrics, none of which I'd let go of without a fight, I'm thinking that with four, one would end up not getting played enough. Is adding a pickup really not such a feasible idea?

[Rodger Knox]

Adding the pickup is easy. Making it look like it belongs there could be quite a challenge.

Back when I was a kid, I took a few lessons from a local guy who was always working on his old Strat. It had six or seven pickups, one was held on with electrical tape.

[ewalling]

Originally Posted by Rodger Knox

Adding the pickup is easy. Making it look like it belongs there could be quite a challenge.

Back when I was a kid, I took a few lessons from a local guy who was always working on his old Strat. It had six or seven pickups, one was held on with electrical tape.

Okay, that sounds encouraging - thanks!

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by ewalling

Thanks for the reply, Steve. Interesting - so you don't find these models wanting alongside the Chet Atkins Jap-made models?

I am a little reluctant, though, to add another guitar to the fold. With three electrics, none of which I'd let go of without a fight, I'm thinking that with four, one would end up not getting played enough. Is adding a pickup really not such a feasible idea?

In order:

• Not in the least - as I said I've played the originals as well as the reissues...
• See Rodger's reply - I'm thinking that's not quite the way you want to go...

[MikeBmusic]

Note that if you are adding a pickup, you need to add control for it - selector switch, volume (and maybe) EQ pots. If you are just replacing a pickup, it helps to replace with a pickup the same size. Otherwise, wood routing may be needed.

[redir]

I've done this job a few times for folks over the years and it can look like it was just as good as if it were originally designed that way. You just need the right router bit and template and the confidence required to hack into someone's guitar. It's not hard but like anything can lead to disaster. The Filtertron pickup is probably an odd size so they would have to make the template. I imagine the cost to be around $200 bucks.

[Rumblefish]

It's not particularly difficult for someone who knows what they're doing but it would require routing out the guitar for the new pup. It will be costly and anytime you start cutting up the top of your guitar there is risk of damage to the finish if the tech doesn't have a lot of experience. Filtertrons like 500k pots so if you've got 250k you might want to change those as well.

So basically find a good tech and open your wallet.

[ericmeyer4]

Originally Posted by ewalling

I have two solid electric guitars - a Godin LGXT(split coil Seymour Duncan humbuckers) and a Godin RG-3 (Seymour Duncan single coils). I also have a Godin Multiac Spectrum (hollow-bodied acoustic electric with one Seymour Duncan lipstick pickup and individual bridge piezo acoustic pickups). I'm interested in adding a 'Gretsch' sound to one of these guitars and have wondered how complicated/expensive it might be for a pro to add a Filtertron pickup. I'd be especially interested in putting one on the Multiac. Anyone know anything about this?

The LGXT would be the easiest as it would only require a pickup swap. Filtron makes both humbucker sized pickups or an humbucker adapter ring so you can put a filtron sized pickup in place of the humbucker.

The next easiest may be the RG-3. If it has a pickguard you could get a replacement guard and install the filtron in place of one of the existing pickups. It would still require some body modification, but any mishaps would be covered by the pickguard.

The Multiac will be the toughest as there is little room for error in routing the body.

[ewalling]

Really informative replies - thanks a lot, guys!