PRS Guitar Pickups Replacement

Introduction

In this guide, we will show you how to replace pickups in a Paul Reed Smith, also known as a PRS electric guitar. This guide covers basic steps on removing strings, taking out old pickups, and installing new ones. It is geared towards any guitar player who is experiencing problems with their pickups and needs replacements.

Before you begin, make sure you have the required tools listed for this guide. It may be good to know how to work a soldering iron before replacing your pickups as well. Make sure you have extra strings tucked away because you will need to remove and replace the old ones. Lastly, make sure that you have a nice space with a towel to put the guitar on to avoid any scratches while performing this replacement.

What you need

Step 1 Pickups

PRS Guitar Pickups Replacement, Pickups: step 1, image 1 of 2

PRS Guitar Pickups Replacement, Pickups: step 1, image 2 of 2

Loosen all of the strings until they can be pulled out of the tuners.
Pull the strings through the bridge and out of the back side of the guitar.

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Step 2

Using a Phillips head screwdriver, unscrew the back plate, revealing the pickup wiring.

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Step 3

Take note of the wiring before desoldering the wires.
Begin desoldering the pickup wires.
Take care when soldering, as the tip is very hot.

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Step 4

Turn the guitar face up and unscrew both of the pickups.
Take the pickups out of the guitar.

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Step 5

Refer to the wiring arrangements you took note of as well as the wiring manual that came with your new pickups.
Run the new pickups back through the guitar with the wires guided through the back plate.
Carefully begin soldering the new pickup wires back together.