Derek Duncan demonstrates one of his methods for quickly and easily putting a guitar pickup into a mounting ring. Do you have a method that works best for you?
I think it's hilarious how you always get the wise ass that knows a BETTER WAY! I have been messing with pickup rings for 50 years. It was trial and error until I watched this video last night. Thanks Derek
I've always compressed the spring, after I had it on the screw, then put the screw into the hole in the pickup ear. Made it much less of a hassle and never had a spring decide to leave the screw. Cheers.
I found this really helpful, but I did use a toothpick up through the bottom of the threads to hold the spring in line till the screw was sited correctly.
Far out! (as the kids say) I spent an hour and a half---at least---the other night putting red mounting rings on my cherry red Pearly Gates pickups only to find out I like the contrasting black rings better. I've been positively dreading putting the black ones back on. Now I'm looking forward to trying it your way. Thanks!
WOW! I live around Tampa, FL and I recently learned the Dean shop was here; I think I need to go apply for a job. I guess the one thums down my comment received must mean you're right. Someone was SO frustracted they took offence when I said no offence, lol. It's not my fault this stuff is so hard for some people hahaha.
didn't know about the "click" at start of the screw. I just do it the same way all the time...kinda like using chopstix, its tedious at first, but takes a few times to practice
I hear ya man, but this is high tech for some folks. I was shocked when I learned from my tech a few years back, the sheer volume of people who have to take their guitar to a pro tech merely to have it re-strung with a new set of the identical gauge strings! I'm not talking about the whole standard set-up, or fretwork, or even nut dressing. I mean an actual routine RESTRING and tune. People are paying $15 + string cost because they are that clueless. It takes all kinds.
oh man this is one of the most frustrating things, but well.. random question, i got a Guitar with 2 seymour Duncan pickups, but how can i tell what model they are.. neck Duncan Design, and bridge kinda looks like a 59' custom hybrid.. any other way i can find out..?
here's an simple method !! I thread a strong piece of sewing thread through the spring, and slide the spring over a nail. Compress the spring with your finergers. Have another person tie string while spring compress. Now slip compressed spring over screw in pushing nail out. Screw adjustment screw in pickup tang and cut thread. SIMPLE.
Marshall Rader That seems like a harder method or more than is necessary, actually the way they do it in the video is the way I have been doing for years, start with one side, flip it over and do the other side, should take a minute or less.
How standard are the dimensions for the four holes in the mounting ring? I have a fairly odd, older semi-hollow body guitar (looks ES-335-ish) and I want to know if I can just buy any humbucker and it will fit or do I have to hunt around for something? I think the body of the guitar was made by Hofner. Reply
Usually, this is standard. What isn't standard is the mounting for the pickup itself within the ring. Some pickups use 3 screws some 2 and some 4. We use 2 screws for ours.
How do you do this if the pickup is in the guitar? I lost both screws going through the spring and I'm trying to put new ones in and the pickup is extremely slanted if I manage to thread both screws through the springs, already a stupidly difficult task when the whole guitar is in the way. Thanks in advance!
I do it very carefully in a room with good lighting! I am not nearly as fast or good at this as the guys here, but leaving a lot of lead on the pickup so you can lift it out of the cavity is how I do it.
Yeah.....right. Come on over to my place and just TRY to do this with this goddamned GFS pup I just bought. The springs feel like they're made for a car....
Make sure that there is no leftover wax in the threads that the screws go into. If there is simply no way the screws fit, contact us through our website and we will sort it out for you!
G that was helpful? Not!!!! I can tell someone exactly how to slam dunk a basketball with a regulation goal height . That doesn’t mean they can jump high enough to accomplish the task . I spent an hour trying to get one screw seated with the spring unsuccessfully. The pick up rings I have came with shorter springs, but they were not long enough to support the pick up. If it’s going to be that difficult , you should route the screw hole so the spring can rest on that and you don’t have to hold the spring with your finger when you’re pushing down with the screw. The screw does not click into place when you’re trying to hold onto the spring and fishing for the screw hole . This video is not helpful. I guess it gives me some comfort to know that you can lift a lot of weight
Umm... No offence but do people really have that much trouble mounting a pickup mounting ring? I mean I could do that when I was 9 without any instruction.
Ummm ... bully for you, but did it ever occur to you that, just like there are things others can do that you cannot, there are things that come easily for you that don't for others? Seriously, try putting yourself in someone else's shoes; if you react in such an obnoxiously self-centered way about this, you must be a real treat to deal with in every other aspect of life. Why even be on this video if it's such a cakewalk for you? Do you want a pat on the back for your pickup installing prowess?
I think it's hilarious how you always get the wise ass that knows a BETTER WAY! I have been messing with pickup rings for 50 years. It was trial and error until I watched this video last night. Thanks Derek
I have been trying to do this for 45 years and have never been able to get it right. Now I can.
Thanks Duncan
This has been single most helpful tip I have received after 20 years playing guitar and about 5 changing pickups
Thanks for this video. It's exactly what I needed today.
i spent 5 minutes fumbling around trying to figure it out before watching this. did it almost instantly after watching it thanks
I still fumble, even after watching this!
I've always compressed the spring, after I had it on the screw, then put the screw into the hole in the pickup ear. Made it much less of a hassle and never had a spring decide to leave the screw. Cheers.
Helped a ton, thank you!
Thanks a lot man! I tryed hard but I couldn't, but with your tips it was easy!
thanks for the help,,, shot the spring across the room a few times, took me a half hour to find it!
This video will change your life.
thank dude.
I found this really helpful, but I did use a toothpick up through the bottom of the threads to hold the spring in line till the screw was sited correctly.
The best part is when the spring flicks out and disappears from this plane of existence and you gotta buy more 😅
Eight years later, but I'd really hoped to see you put the ring screws into a pickup that's already installed - without taking the strings off.
Far out! (as the kids say) I spent an hour and a half---at least---the other night putting red mounting rings on my cherry red Pearly Gates pickups only to find out I like the contrasting black rings better. I've been positively dreading putting the black ones back on. Now I'm looking forward to trying it your way. Thanks!
Haha, I still have trouble doing this, and still dread it! I probably have springs laying around all over the place here.
wow,this methood is way simpler and easier,thanks.
WOW! I live around Tampa, FL and I recently learned the Dean shop was here; I think I need to go apply for a job. I guess the one thums down my comment received must mean you're right. Someone was SO frustracted they took offence when I said no offence, lol. It's not my fault this stuff is so hard for some people hahaha.
Priceless just wish I hadn't installed it first
how hard is it to this with pickup already in the guitar and wired up? I want to get a new mounting ring, mine is broken in 2 places.
Thank´s, work it!!!
This is like watching a magic trick
ahhh mkays ty
didn't know about the "click" at start of the screw. I just do it the same way all the time...kinda like using chopstix, its tedious at first, but takes a few times to practice
sick Mick Thomsom poster in the back there ;)
I hear ya man, but this is high tech for some folks. I was shocked when I learned from my tech a few years back, the sheer volume of people who have to take their guitar to a pro tech merely to have it re-strung with a new set of the identical gauge strings!
I'm not talking about the whole standard set-up, or fretwork, or even nut dressing. I mean an actual routine RESTRING and tune. People are paying $15 + string cost because they are that clueless. It takes all kinds.
oh man this is one of the most frustrating things, but well.. random question, i got a Guitar with 2 seymour Duncan pickups, but how can i tell what model they are.. neck Duncan Design, and bridge kinda looks like a 59' custom hybrid.. any other way i can find out..?
It's the new SDUGF humbucker!
here's an simple method !! I thread a strong piece of sewing thread through the spring, and slide the spring over a nail. Compress the spring with your finergers. Have another person tie string while spring compress. Now slip compressed spring over screw in pushing nail out. Screw adjustment screw in pickup tang and cut thread. SIMPLE.
Marshall Rader That seems like a harder method or more than is necessary, actually the way they do it in the video is the way I have been doing for years, start with one side, flip it over and do the other side, should take a minute or less.
How standard are the dimensions for the four holes in the mounting ring? I have a fairly odd, older semi-hollow body guitar (looks ES-335-ish) and I want to know if I can just buy any humbucker and it will fit or do I have to hunt around for something?
I think the body of the guitar was made by Hofner.
Reply
Usually, this is standard. What isn't standard is the mounting for the pickup itself within the ring. Some pickups use 3 screws some 2 and some 4. We use 2 screws for ours.
How do you do this if the pickup is in the guitar? I lost both screws going through the spring and I'm trying to put new ones in and the pickup is extremely slanted if I manage to thread both screws through the springs, already a stupidly difficult task when the whole guitar is in the way. Thanks in advance!
I do it very carefully in a room with good lighting! I am not nearly as fast or good at this as the guys here, but leaving a lot of lead on the pickup so you can lift it out of the cavity is how I do it.
why are so many neck humbucker springs weaker than bridge humbucker springs? Been trying to find a solution to level my neck humbucker..
2:10 "Your spring is gonna fall out" and you're gonna have a bad time. Is what he should have said.
Yeah.....right. Come on over to my place and just TRY to do this with this goddamned GFS pup I just bought. The springs feel like they're made for a car....
You get a beer on me the next time you're in Orlando!
John Robb Might have to take you up on that John!
Put an alligator clip to maintain the spring compressed on screw.
What about the pickguard?
Cool but what if you don't have a left hand to use? Like me I've had two massive strokes& can't use my left hand anymore
+Mike Ripley It is even tricky for people with 2 working hands! I would ask for help- it is hard enough to keep springs from flying across the room.
my epihpone les paul screws don't fit into slash seymour duncans. What do I do now?!
+IGarrettI I would recommend the screws that came with you pickups.
***** that's the thing Sir, they are to thick to go into the SD Slash pickups.
Make sure that there is no leftover wax in the threads that the screws go into. If there is simply no way the screws fit, contact us through our website and we will sort it out for you!
Hex or square screws much easier!
I wished I watched this earlier. It pisses me off when I have to do this
You mean a flat head screw driver! Come in people!
It's a lot easier without a pick guard in the way.
I was hoping to learn something here, but I've been doing it exactly this way for over 40 years. Ho hum.
...and just why does Derek Duncan gotta put up with this guys shit?
G that was helpful?
Not!!!!
I can tell someone exactly how to slam dunk a basketball with a regulation goal height .
That doesn’t mean they can jump high enough to accomplish the task .
I spent an hour trying to get one screw seated with the spring unsuccessfully.
The pick up rings I have came with shorter springs, but they were not long enough to support the pick up.
If it’s going to be that difficult , you should route the screw hole so the spring can rest on that and you don’t have to hold the spring with your finger when you’re pushing down with the screw.
The screw does not click into place when you’re trying to hold onto the spring and fishing for the screw hole .
This video is not helpful.
I guess it gives me some comfort to know that you can lift a lot of weight
Umm... No offence but do people really have that much trouble mounting a pickup mounting ring? I mean I could do that when I was 9 without any instruction.
I want my 5 minutes back. Please don’t let let the first guy do a video ever again. He should stick to used car dealer commercials.
Ummm ... bully for you, but did it ever occur to you that, just like there are things others can do that you cannot, there are things that come easily for you that don't for others? Seriously, try putting yourself in someone else's shoes; if you react in such an obnoxiously self-centered way about this, you must be a real treat to deal with in every other aspect of life. Why even be on this video if it's such a cakewalk for you? Do you want a pat on the back for your pickup installing prowess?