Ibanez Guitar Neck and Bridge Pickups Replacement

Introduction

Replacing the neck and bridge pickups on an Ibanez electric guitar can be an excellent way to enhance its sound and performance. Upgrading the pickups can allow for a wider tonal range, greater clarity, and improved responsiveness, giving guitarists more creative options and control over their sound. However, replacing pickups can be a daunting task, especially for those who are not familiar with guitar electronics or soldering. In this guide, we will provide step-by-step instructions on how to replace the neck and bridge pickups on an Ibanez electric guitar. We will also offer advice on choosing the right pickups for your desired sound and style, as well as tips on adjusting the pickup height and pole piece alignment for optimal performance. Whether you are a seasoned guitarist or a beginner, this guide will help you upgrade your Ibanez electric guitar and achieve the sound you desire.

What you need

Step 1 Neck and Bridge Pickups

Ibanez Guitar Neck and Bridge Pickups Replacement, Neck and Bridge Pickups: step 1, image 1 of 2

Ibanez Guitar Neck and Bridge Pickups Replacement, Neck and Bridge Pickups: step 1, image 2 of 2

Turn the tuning pegs in a counterclockwise direction to loosen the strings.
Pull the strings from the tuning pegs and thread them out the back of the guitar.

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Step 2

Use a soft cloth or a guitar cleaning kit to wipe down the body, neck, and fretboard.

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Step 3

Use the screwdriver to loosen each screw on the pickguard.
Remove knobs and pickup selector switch.
These knobs can be very tough to remove. If you feel like you may damage them by forcing them off, just leave them on.

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Step 4

Remove the old pickups from the guitar body.

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Step 5

Desolder connections from both red and green wire bundles.
There should be three separate wires per bundle that need to be individually removed.
For soldering help, visit this guide.

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Step 6

Solder the new pickup wires to your control board.
Place your new pickups in the guitar body.
We highly recommend having a manual pertaining to your specific pickups. It will show you where each specific wire needs to be attached.

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Step 7

Use the screwdriver to reinstall pickguard screws.
Re-attach pickup selector and knobs.
Not all screw locations are visible in the image. Make sure to use all of them.

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Step 8

Thread your new strings through the back of the guitar, up to the tuning pegs, and tighten the strings.
Use the wire cutters to trim excess string from the ends.

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