Guitar Pickups: How to Upgrade them for FREE!

Before investing in an expensive set of new guitar pickups, learn how to upgrade your existing guitar pickups in a few simple steps with a few simple tools.

The Problem

First off, let me point out that the Seymour Duncan Designed P90 guitar pickups in my Squier Telecaster Custom are fantastic! I only have two issues with them. Firstly, they tend to squeal a little under high volume (but hey, we all like a little bit of unpredictability), and more importantly, due to the constant vibrating of parts, they just won’t stay at the height I set them for very long.

Result: After two or three weeks, my carefully set up pickup height alters itself, equalling less sustain and clarity.

So, then, how do we upgrade the pickups for free

Tools / Materials you’ll Need.

• Phillips Screwdriver – For the scratchplate / Pickups screws.
• Foam – Any foam will do really, I got mine for free from the local guitar store. They come in most pickup packaging.
• PTFE (Teflon) Tape – Available from any DIY store. Luckily I had some spare in my toolbox.
• Some sharp scissors – For trimming the foam.

You could alternatively use glue in place on the PTFE tape (e.g. Loctite), but that is much more a ‘set and forget’ solution, I prefer the more flexible PTFE tape approach which still allows pickups adjustment and is easier to remove.

1. Remove the Strings.

Not essential, but I took the opportunity to re-string. It just makes the process a lot easier.

2. Unscrew the pickguard.

Be careful to avoid damaging the finish and parts. Make sure your screwdriver is the exact match for the screws.

5. Flip over the pickguard to reveal the pickups and wiring.

Be extra careful not to pull any wires, in particular, the earth connection.

Also, take this opportunity to give the guitar innards a clean and check for any issue.

Take a picture on your phone to capture the layout, in case you make a mistake and don’t know how to re-assemble.

6. Unscrew the pickups

Do this carefully. The spring will pop out so make sure you grab it before the screw is out.

7. Check screws and springs.

Make sure the remove screws and springs are in good repair. If not you may need to replace them.

8. Cut and install the foam into the Pickup cavities.

Use the scissors to cut the foam if need be.

Important! Don’t over-pack the foam. It needs to lie flush in the cavity, otherwise, it’ll bunch up against the pick-guard causing the pickups to lift too much. If that happens they won’t lie horizontal to the strings. The cut doesn’t need to be exact, but too little is much better than too much.

Reason for the foam? It (Gently) holds the pickup in place against the pickguard, Nullifying vibrations and therefore going part way to rectifying are feedback/slipping pickup issue.

9. Wrap the PTFE tape around the screws.

In addition to the foam, the application of PTFE tape will make the screw connections firmer, further reducing the above issues.

Important! Make sure you the PTFE tape is wrapped TIGHT? Do this by pulling it as you wrap. Also, don’t apply too many layers or the tape won’t pass threw the pickups screw holes.

10. Re-install the pickup spring ready for re-installation.

This is the fiddly bit. Put the screw on first.

11. Screw-in the Pickups

If you don’t it right. the screw should pass through the hole with PTFE tape still attached. If it doesn’t re-apply less tape.

12. Replace the pickguard, re-set the pickup height and finish off.

Notice that it should be a LOT more difficult to move the pickups around, and the pickup height adjustment screws should feel a lot firmer too.

This is all a good sign. It’ll mean less vibrations equalling less unwanted feedback and you’re pickups will stay where you want them.

And the Results?

We played two gigs this weekend which was a timely test…

Dropping Pickup Height.

The dropping pickups fix worked a treat. They aren’t going anywhere now! It’s a relief because pickup height, especially on P90s, makes a huge impact on the tone. I now experiment with a little more with different settings knowing they will stay put.

Feedback Reduction.

Again, the results were much better than expected. The guitar ‘glides’ into harmonic feedback now, in a predictable and more linear/gradual way. It builds, is more controllable, and a lot more fun to play around with. It’s now a lot easier to incorporate sustained notes and feedback without fear of notes dying out on you or splurting out extraneous noise.

Having said that, the squeals are still there, but occur less often and only under the highest of volumes/boosts. That’s understandable considering the spec of the Duncan Designed P90s which are known to be noisy anyway.

I suppose I would have been disappointed if the foam had dampened out the life of the instrument altogether, so it’s nice that I can now have controllable harmonic feedback on tap, as well as the unpredictable stuff when needed.

Any Improvements to the Tone?

Maybe it’s a coincidence, but I had positive comments on both gig nights this week. One guy even thought I was sporting custom-job exotic pickups until he noticed Squier on the headstock!

Personally. It’s the best the guitar has sounded. Taking the sustain/feedback elements out of the equation, it sounds fuller and clearer.

Conclusion

What are you waiting for? This is a FREE guitar pickup mod that takes less than 15 minutes and will improve your sustain, tone, and reduce unwanted feedback, as well as solving the annoying pickup dropping problem.

Try it! And let me know how you get on.

Any other FREE guitar modification tips? Drop me a comment below.