Going to swap out my 550s pups

[Metallic00]

I want something great for mostly lead playing, stuff like Guthrie Govan, Vai, etc.

I'm pretty set on getting 2 DiMarzio's (not going to bother with the middle pup) but I'm not sure which ones and the placement.

Also, this is going to be my first time swaping pickups out. Is it hard to do? Anything I should know before I do it?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[David McCarroll]

Slow, easy - a good soldering iron and the knowledge of how to use it. Take the pickguard off the guitar, put the guitar aside so you don't get solder splatter on the finish or ding it in the process. Put all the screws, springs etc in a cup or bowl so that you don't lose them during the process.

Be methodical - know how the wiring is done - make a disgram of the existing wiring (and/or take some good digital photos), read the instructions that come with the new pickups - have a logical step by step plan - and DON'T throw anything away - unsolder the existing pickups properly etc etc - you may want to reverse the whole process in the future!

Hope that all helps.

Cheers

David

[dipstick]

Please unsolder the pickup at the pot don't just cut the wire.

[Metallic00]

Thanks David, and yes I was definitely going to unsoder.


Any recommendations on pickup choice?

[Metallic00]

What do you guys think of a Tone Zone in the bridge and an PAF Pro in the neck?

[_FR0D0]

I think you should go with PAF Pro in the neck and Norton in the bridge (you are looking for Vai & Govan tones and TZ is too bassy for that)

[Roadstar]

I also am swapping the pups in my 550
my 550 is pretty bright so i am going with either a air zone or the IBZ/USA series pups for extra warmth
right now it has a duncan custom in it and it is too trebly for me in this guitar
fior you I vote for breeds or tone zone/air norton set in a 550
the EVO 2 like vai uses is pretty good but still a bit trebley for me in a 550 so a traded for a air norton with another forum member here
you may like the evo 2 though?