Introduction
Electric guitars require pickups to convert the string vibrations into electrical signals. The electrical signals travel through the guitar cord to the amplifier and then to the speakers for the audience to hear. If your guitar, amplifier, and speakers are correctly connected, without faulty cords or wires, and your guitar still sounds off; you may need to replace the pickups on your guitar.
This guide demonstrates how to replace broken or faculty pickups to restore your guitar’s tone. This guide will work on any Squier Strat electric guitar that has the three single-coil pickup configuration. The pickups are located on the guitar body between the neck and the bridge. Though the guitar featured below has a right-handed orientation, the instructions are the same for guitars with a left-handed orientation; however, the pictures may mirror what you may see in person with a left-handed guitar.
The steps in this guide will require you to desolder and solder parts of the guitar. You will need a steady hand to avoid damage to the guitar and yourself.
Based on the Fender.com site, the following Fender pickup models may work as replacements for the guitar below: 0992113000, 0992208000, and 0992113000. Before purchasing new pickups, you may want to visit a guitar store or music shop for assistance in determining which specific pickups will work for your guitar.
What you need
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Unwind the strings by turning the tuning pegs.
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Pull the strings out of the tuning peg holes.
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Push the strings out through the back plate holes.
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Lift up the pickup guard gently.
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Flip the pickup guard to expose the wiring.
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Place a towel underneath the pickup guard to protect your guitar's body.
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Take note of where each pickup is wired.
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Make sure to keep track of the negative and positive wires. Black wires usually indicate negative wires.
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Desolder the pickups from the pickup selector switch using a quality soldering iron and soldering wick.
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Desolder the pickups from the potentiometers.
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Flip the pickup guard back to its original position.
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Remove the screws holding the pickups to the pickup guard.
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Flip the pickup guard to reveal the wiring.
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Remove the pickups from the pickup guard. They should come out very easily.
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
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Cal Poly, Team 10-5, Green Fall 2015 Member of Cal Poly, Team 10-5, Green Fall 2015
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