Pickup Modification and Custom Building Services

[Salamander In The Sun]

Hey guys, I'm now in the business of pickup building and modification! I can do work on pretty much any kind of pickup - humbuckers, single coils, P90's, you name it.

There is no set cost for any of these services, it all just depends. Just tell me what you'd like to have done, and then I'll figure up the cost. It just varies.

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NEW SERVICE! 11/24/2007

I can now convert passive pickups, to active pickups! Mod works with both GUITAR AND BASS pickups!

I offer the conversion in 2 different variants;

1.) Regular Active Conversion
- Converts your pickups from high impedance to low impedance
- Adds 8Db of gain

2.) High Gain Active Conversion
- Converts your pickups from high impedance to low impedance
- Adds a whopping 25Db of gain! That's 5Db more than the EMG Afterburner!

This can be done to any pickup. You can either send it to me to have the active preamp installed, or I can install it on a custom made pickup - your choice! Now, you don't have to have the same boring ol' EMG's in your guitar to take advantage of all the benefits of active pickups!

HELL YEAH
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~

Custom Made Pickups!!! - Hell yeah! A pickup made exactly to your spec! Wound to your specified output, with your choice of bobbin colors, covers, and magnet! Scatterwound and wax potted for the best tone at any volume!

Styles
- Humbucking
- P90
- Single Coil

Modifications

Reloading Magnets - I can reload your pickup with a new magnet of your choice. You can either supply the magnet yourself, or I can load it with a brand new one. I offer the following choices in magnets;
- Alnico: II, III, IV, V, or VIII
- Ceramic: V, or VIII

Raising and Lowering Output - Pretty self explanatory. I can raise or lower your pickup's output to your specs. Whether you want it as hot as an X2N, or soft and mellow as an old PAF, I've got you covered.

Pickup Covers - I can either remove a pickup cover, or install one. Your choice of both color and style of cover, if having one installed. I offer the following covers;

Gibson PAF Style
- Gold
- Chrome
- Nickel

Gibson Tony Iommi Style
- Gold
- Chrome
- Nickel

EMG Style
- White
- Black

EMG SA Style
- White
- Black

Wood Covers (Includes matching ring)
- Rosewood
- Bubinga
- Ebony
- Maple
- Walnut

Single Coil Style
- Gold
- Chrome
- Yellow
- Black
- Mint Green
- White
- Red
- Blue
- Cream
- Green
- Vintage Cream
- Parchment

Dogear P90
- Nickel
- Black
- Cream

Soapbar P90
- Black
- Cream

Telecaster Style (neck)
- Gold
- Black
- Chrome

Precision Bass Style
- Black
- White

Jazz Bass Style
- Black

Wax Potting - Have you got a pickup that squeals like a stuck pig? If so, send it to me, and I'll have it nice and quiet in no time flat. I only offer wax potting - I do not offer lacquer or epoxy.

Dead Pickup Revival - Have a favorite old pickup that kicked the bucket on you? No worries! I'll fix her up and have her ready to rock again in no time!

Other - Something you'd like to have done to your pickup that's not listed above? Just shoot me a PM or post in the thread, and I'll see what I can do for you.

FINE PRINT... ERR - Everything is at my discretion! I will not do work on super expensive boutiques, rare, or vintage pickups for one simple reason; if something goes wrong, I cannot afford to replace a very expensive $300 boutique pickup, or a rare old Gibson PAF. Now, if something were to happen to a Duncan or DiMarzio or something similar, I could afford to replace it and have it sent back to you no problem. Also, if I receive a pickup that I don't feel comfortable working with, I'll pay to have it sent back to you, along with a full refund. If I do not feel comfortable with your pickup, I will not work on it.

Refunds - If you are not happy for any reason, be sure to let me know, and I'll do everything in my power to make it right, including a full 100% refund, minus the cost of shipping.

Turnaround Times - Average turnaround time should be about two weeks. Having your pickup back out to you ASAP is my top priority, but I do have other things going on, like school, relationships, etc. But no worries, I'll keep you updated on your pickup's progress 100% of the way. Honest.

Shipping and Handling - Shipping and handling is all up to you. I ship via USPS, and offer Overnight, Express, Priority, Flate Rate, etc. Your choice of shipping - be sure to contact me before hand so I can have return shipping costs worked out.

Methods of Payment - I really prefer Paypal only, just because of it's convenience, safety, and speed. I will consider other payment methods, though.

I think that covers everything!

BTW, anybody who sends me a pickup before December 1st gets free return shipping!

Thanks so much, you guys
Ryan

[jemplayer55]

How about method of payment info?

[Salamander In The Sun]

Originally Posted by jemplayer55

How about method of payment info?

Ah, stupid me. I knew I forgot something!

Okie dokie, got it now.

Thanks

[Ki swordsman]

cool stuff man, you really could use a little website for it though

[Salamander In The Sun]

I probably could, huh?

Money just doesn't permit it right now, though.

[Ki swordsman]

there are ways to rig up a basic template driven site yourself if you learn a little about it.. then you only need to pay web hosting

[jaxadam]

Cool man! I have quite a few pickups laying around here that I would like to experiment with. Possibly some re-windings, new magnets, poles, etc. and some new covers. The wood covers sound like a pretty cool idea.

I'm definitely interested.

[Salamander In The Sun]

Originally Posted by Ki swordsman

there are ways to rig up a basic template driven site yourself if you learn a little about it.. then you only need to pay web hosting

Hey, thanks for the advice. I just looked up some design templates, and it looks pretty easy!

Originally Posted by jaxadam

Cool man! I have quite a few pickups laying around here that I would like to experiment with. Possibly some re-windings, new magnets, poles, etc. and some new covers. The wood covers sound like a pretty cool idea.

I'm definitely interested.

Awesome! Yeah, I can do all of that stuff for you.

Actually, check your PM's, buddy.

[Gusfmm]

Ryan,

A suggestion for a project that may help energize your starting-up business: Sort of reverse-engineer a Lundgren M-series humb. and try to come up with your own version, and offer it at US-standard and competitive prices, not the sky-rocketing euro or UK pound based ones of Bareknucles or Lundgrens. People seem to be increasingly reporting they like them considerably better than our EMG's, DiMarzios, or Duncans.

And I'd highly recommend you clearly state/post factually tech specs for any "standard" product line you may eventually devide and come out with, if ever do that. I hate having to solely relay on people's opinions to buy, which is my main critique for BNK or Lundgren. That is simply not sufficient.

GL.

Gus.

[Salamander In The Sun]

Originally Posted by Gusfmm

Ryan,

A suggestion for a project that may help energize your starting-up business: Sort of reverse-engineer a Lundgren M-series humb. and try to come up with your own version, and offer it at US-standard and competitive prices, not the sky-rocketing euro or UK pound based ones of Bareknucles or Lundgrens. People seem to be increasingly reporting they like them considerably better than our EMG's, DiMarzios, or Duncans.

And I'd highly recommend you clearly state/post factually tech specs for any "standard" product line you may eventually devide and come out with, if ever do that. I hate having to solely relay on people's opinions to buy, which is my main critique for BNK or Lundgren. That is simply not sufficient.

GL.

Gus.

Thanks for the advice, Gus! It's much appreciated, especially for somebody who's just starting this kind of thing.

On the subject of ridiculously high pickup prices; I've never even considered grossly overpricing something like that (like BKP or Lundgren), nor do I expect anybody to pay $200+ for a pickup. It's one thing to make a profit, and it's a whole 'nother to take advantage of people. At the same time, I can't really say whether or not I can wind a pickup that will be able to compete with a handmade pickup like the BKP's, but I can sure try, and for a whole hell of a lot less to boot.

I really haven't "developed" any standard products as of yet, but I have been drawing up some things, and experimenting with windings, magnets, etc., so I should have something up pretty soon. As I type, I'm in the process of building a pickup to compete with Gibson's Tony Iommi (complete with everything, including the closed cover ), so once I finish the prototype, I'll definitely be offering a few up FS - at which point I'll be sure to post specs and pictures.

Also, I'll be sending some of my "guinea pigs" out to some board members on here, and maybe try to get some feedback on them, so to anybody reading; watch out for that.

[Salamander In The Sun]

Originally Posted by Gusfmm

Ryan,

A suggestion for a project that may help energize your starting-up business: Sort of reverse-engineer a Lundgren M-series humb. and try to come up with your own version, and offer it at US-standard and competitive prices, not the sky-rocketing euro or UK pound based ones of Bareknucles or Lundgrens. People seem to be increasingly reporting they like them considerably better than our EMG's, DiMarzios, or Duncans.

And I'd highly recommend you clearly state/post factually tech specs for any "standard" product line you may eventually devide and come out with, if ever do that. I hate having to solely relay on people's opinions to buy, which is my main critique for BNK or Lundgren. That is simply not sufficient.

GL.

Gus.

Thanks for the advice, Gus! It's much appreciated, especially for somebody who's just starting this kind of thing.

On the subject of ridiculously high pickup prices; I've never even considered grossly overpricing something like that (like BKP or Lundgren), nor do I expect anybody to pay $200+ for a pickup. It's one thing to make a profit, and it's a whole 'nother to take advantage of people. At the same time, I can't really say whether or not I can wind a pickup that will be able to compete with a handmade pickup like the BKP's, but I can sure try, and for a whole hell of a lot less to boot.

I really haven't "developed" any standard products as of yet, but I have been drawing up some things, and experimenting with windings, magnets, etc., so I should have something up pretty soon. As I type, I'm in the process of building a pickup to compete with Gibson's Tony Iommi (complete with everything, including the closed cover ), so once I finish the prototype, I'll definitely be offering a few up FS - at which point I'll be sure to post specs and pictures.

Also, I'll be sending some of my "guinea pigs" out to some board members on here, and maybe try to get some feedback on them, so to anybody reading; watch out for that.

[jb4674]

Ryan,

It's very impressive that you're venturing into your own business, congrats on the move.

I've got a question for you... Would you be able to use the emg connectors for pickups? For example, let's say I send you a pickguard for my strat that would house 2 hb's and a sc. Would you be able to add those quick disconnects to the pickups and both connecting wires to be retrofitted into my guitar so I don't have to solder anything?

Jimmy

[Salamander In The Sun]

Originally Posted by jb4674

Ryan,

It's very impressive that you're venturing into your own business, congrats on the move.

I've got a question for you... Would you be able to use the emg connectors for pickups? For example, let's say I send you a pickguard for my strat that would house 2 hb's and a sc. Would you be able to add those quick disconnects to the pickups and both connecting wires to be retrofitted into my guitar so I don't have to solder anything?

Jimmy

Hey, thanks! I appreciate them thar nice words.

Yeah, I could do that for you, no problemo.

Check your PM's, buddy.

[Martallica]

Nice one on the new business venture Ryan ! As a part time guitar builder in Ireland I find it hard to get demarzio pups at a good price here I used to get them from banjo Mikez on the bay but with Dimarzio not shipping out of the US without an astronomical price I’m starting to use Seymour Duncan’s more than I’d like, So if you can get the Demarzio ( evo ,breed,TZ,air norton or x2n ) thingy go’n I’d be very interested .

Marty...

[Salamander In The Sun]

Originally Posted by Martallica

Nice one on the new business venture Ryan ! As a part time guitar builder in Ireland I find it hard to get demarzio pups at a good price here I used to get them from banjo Mikez on the bay but with Dimarzio not shipping out of the US without an astronomical price I’m starting to use Seymour Duncan’s more than I’d like, So if you can get the Demarzio ( evo ,breed,TZ,air norton or x2n ) thingy go’n I’d be very interested .

Marty...

Thanks!

I feel for you, man. Nobody should ever have to use Duncan's unless they have to.

I don't quite understand what you mean, though. Do you mean that you's like for me to order a DiMarzio, then send it to you? Or do you mean that you'd like me to build a replica DiMarzio for you? I'd be happy to do either one for ya.

Be sure to let me know!

Ryan