Pickup wiring... help? =)

[NitroShredder]

hey guys, I'm not a complete novice to DIY pickup installs (I've got about 4 or so under my belt), but I've never installed one in an Ibanez (my other axes had MUCH more room to work with =)

Anyways, I have an RG3120 and am looking to replace the bridge ToneZone with an Evolution bridge... but when I removed the back cavity cover... I was like *()&*$_#@@... it couldn't have been tighter... and the switch has like 2 zillion lugs to solder onto.

I want to keep the same "pickup" options as I currently have... just swap the pickups (both Dimarzio 4 conductor pups)... is it simply a remove one wire and solder the new one in it's place type of deal... or is there some secret mojo.

I am worried mostly of screwing up the PAF PRo's setup while trying to remove the TZ's... and my switch cover (plastic end on the shaft) is like glued to the shaft.. so a strong pull is in order?

OK, last question =-), My TZ has "chrome" pole pieces on it... and the EVO doesn't... is there SOMEWHERE I can buy some replacement poles for the EVO to restore the "look" of my 3120?

THanks
Pete

[tone_connoisseur]

It will take a while, but look inside and draw a diagram of the wiring schematics. Double check, and triple check that you have everything correct. Then when you install the new pickup just duplicate the connections. Since they're both 4 conductor pickups it should be a snap.

I've changed pickups in previous Ibanez guitars many times. I could never remember, so I had to draw it out every time.

My soldering skills have always sucked, and it looked terrible, but it worked. Now I just have them done professionally.

[Dr. Funkenstein]

Replacing one Dimarzio with another should be a direct like-for-like wiring job as they colour code their pickups the same.

Replacing the pole pieces in your Evolution may affect its tone, as it might change the way the magnetic field is directed to the strings. I'd be wary about that one, or at least ask a pickup expert before trying it at home.

If you really want to start messing with the polepieces, both Stew Mac (www.stewmac.com) and All Parts (www.allparts.com) sell humbucker slugs and adjustable pole piece screws, but they'll probably be different from the ones in the Evo. Maybe Dimarzio do them as parts?

Cheers,

Dave

Originally Posted by NitroShredder

I want to keep the same "pickup" options as I currently have... just swap the pickups (both Dimarzio 4 conductor pups)... is it simply a remove one wire and solder the new one in it's place type of deal... or is there some secret mojo.

I am worried mostly of screwing up the PAF PRo's setup while trying to remove the TZ's... and my switch cover (plastic end on the shaft) is like glued to the shaft.. so a strong pull is in order?

OK, last question =-), My TZ has "chrome" pole pieces on it... and the EVO doesn't... is there SOMEWHERE I can buy some replacement poles for the EVO to restore the "look" of my 3120?

THanks
Pete

[power freak]

I am pretty much a novice at pickup winding but I believe that a screw polepiece will cut more treble. Also the coils will then be different magnetic strengths so you will get a "bark" in the mid range.

To replace the pickup you could cut the TZ's wire and then connect the same colour wires from the evo to those. Then you wouldn't touch the switch or the Paf pro. You will have to insulate the wires with either heat shrink tubing or electrical insulating tape.

[horstausmforst]

cutting and messing with heat shrink tubes will only increase the mess in the cavity.. plus, it will lessen the resale value of your TZ.

The switch tip should indeed be removable by simply pulling it off. Some are a little tighter, some not. But they are not glued on or anything like that; at least from the factory.

After that, i's just a direct wire-by-wire replacement, as others said already.
Have fun! I still remember the adrenaline rush when I was messing with a VLX switch the first time