How hard is it to install new pickups?

Question:i bought new pickups for my epi g-400 and was wondering what would be the best way to get them installed. at long and mcquade (like the canadian version of guitar center) theres a long wait (like 3 weeks) and i dont want to wait that long. i could install them with some help from my dad but i really dont want to screw up. theres a small music store close to me that says they can have it done in about 2 days but i dont trust them as much as long and mcquade.

is it really that difficult to install new pickups. should i be worried?

thx

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: i bought new pickups for my epi g-400 and was wondering what would be the best way to get them installed. at long and mcquade (like the canadian version of guitar center) theres a long wait (like 3 weeks) and i dont want to wait that long. i could install them with some help from my dad but i really dont want to screw up. theres a small music store close to me that says they can have it done in about 2 days but i dont trust them as much as long and mcquade.

is it really that difficult to install new pickups. should i be worried?

thx

First off, many smaller shops actually have better staff than the major retailers and do better work. A big shop is not a mark of quality.

Installing new pickups is easy, and depending on the guitar it can be a simple or not so simple task. As long as the pickups physically fit in the existing body routing and use the same dimensions for the mounting screws it's easy. The only tricky part for a novice is the soldering of the leads which has to be done carefully as the potentiometers (pots) for tone and volume are sensitive to excessive heat from a soldering iron. If you or your dad have no soldering experience then it's best to have the job professionally done.

A good installation should take around an hour to 90 minutes depending on the instrument. It's generally a good idea to have the neck adjusted, action and intonation done at the same time to ensure the guitar is at it's best.

If I were you I'd wait for it to be done by a professional....I know the feeling, I couldn't imagine waiting for mine to get worked on.....but doing this on a good guitar when you don't know what you doing is scary, you could ruin something. I keep saying my nephew, but I mean my cousin Seymour Duncan who's famous for the Humbucker pickups might be able to tell you about installing your pick up.....why not go on his site and where it says contact us hit on that and ask if they think it's wise that you do this yourself ???? He's from N.J. but now lives in California.....To answer your last question, yes I'd be worried if you did this on your own !!!!!!!!!!

Smaller music stores are almost always... almost always... better than large corporate retail stores. I've had a decade long relationship with one of my local stores, and it's hard to argue when these guys are passionate and have been doing it for years and years - contrast that to a kid who's being paid minimum wage or slightly better. Who has the vested interest in getting and keeping your business?

It's tough to get the relationship started, and not all stores are like mine.

If you are really worried, get a video and learn how to do it. Read up on it, and go for it. You can always take it back for them to fix it if you screw up. I strongly urge you to have it intonated when you change the pickups, whether you do it or someone else does it, so it stays in tune up the neck.

Saul