{"id":859,"date":"2012-04-18T15:50:59","date_gmt":"2012-04-18T15:50:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/?p=859"},"modified":"2012-05-08T18:57:08","modified_gmt":"2012-05-08T18:57:08","slug":"how-to-install-a-precision-bass-pickup-set","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/gear\/electronics\/pickup\/how-to-install-a-precision-bass-pickup-set.html","title":{"rendered":"How to install an Aguilar Precision Bass Pickup Set"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xybCYaHfNmk?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"591\" height=\"330\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>In our next edition of our How-to video series Best Bass Gear tech Max will demonstrate how to install an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aguilaramp.com\/\">Aguilar<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/aguilar-ag-4p-60-p-bass-pickups.htm\"> 4P-60 Mid &#8217;60s P Bass pickup<\/a> into a bass guitar. The guitar we are working with here is a SX bass.<\/p>\n<p>For this installation we will need:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bestbassgear.3dcartstores.com\/Aguilar-AG-4P-60-Mid-60s-P-Bass-4-String-Pickup-Set_p_2034.html\">set of Aguilar\u00a04P-60 Mid 60s P-Bass 4-String Pickups<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/pickup-screws.htm\">pickup screws<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/pickup-screws.htm\">pickup foam<\/a><\/li>\n<li>soldering iron and tin<\/li>\n<li>screw driver<\/li>\n<li>scissors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Step 1 &#8211; Removing the pickguard<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/electronics\/pickup\/how-to-install-a-precision-bass-pickup-set.html\/attachment\/vlcsnap-2012-04-18-11h06m44s131\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-860\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-860 aligncenter\" title=\"vlcsnap-2012-04-18-11h06m44s131\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/vlcsnap-2012-04-18-11h06m44s131-591x332.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"591\" height=\"332\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Remove the screws from the perimeter of the pickguard. Put those screws aside in a safe place so you have them to put the pickguard back on after the install. The only thing worse than having screws left over after an install is not having enough screws. Put them somewhere safe so they don&#8217;t run away.<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"size-large wp-image-861 aligncenter\" title=\"vlcsnap-2012-04-18-11h07m10s74\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/vlcsnap-2012-04-18-11h07m10s74-591x332.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"591\" height=\"332\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Now carefully lift the pickguard over the pickups and slide it out from under the strings.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Step 2 &#8211; Removing the old set of pickups<\/h3>\n<p><strong><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/electronics\/pickup\/how-to-install-a-precision-bass-pickup-set.html\/attachment\/vlcsnap-2012-04-18-11h07m52s4\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-862\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-862 aligncenter\" title=\"vlcsnap-2012-04-18-11h07m52s4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/vlcsnap-2012-04-18-11h07m52s4-591x332.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"591\" height=\"332\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Take a good look your set-up. What you want to do is cut the pickup leads about 1\/2 inch away from their connections just so they&#8217;re free.<\/p>\n<p>Now remove the pickup screws and slide the pickups out.<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"size-large wp-image-863 aligncenter\" title=\"vlcsnap-2012-04-18-11h08m50s83\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/vlcsnap-2012-04-18-11h08m50s83-591x332.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"591\" height=\"332\" \/><\/p>\n<p>For this installation we were able to work on the bass with the strings at full tension. This may not always be possible. Assess your situation, and go with what works. If you have the space to get the job done with the strings at full tension, great for you, less work. But if things are tight take the extra step to loosen the strings and give yourself the room to work.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Step 3 &#8211; Placing pickup foam<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/electronics\/pickup\/how-to-install-a-precision-bass-pickup-set.html\/attachment\/vlcsnap-2012-04-18-11h14m02s120\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-865\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-865\" title=\"vlcsnap-2012-04-18-11h14m02s120\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/vlcsnap-2012-04-18-11h14m02s120-591x332.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"591\" height=\"332\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Previously our bass used springs to maintain string height. For this install we are going to put in pickup foam. Cut the pieces to size, remove the backing to expose the adhesive, and place them into the pickup cavity.<\/p>\n<p>For more information check out our previous tutorial <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/tips\/setting-pickup-height-using-foam.html\">How to set pickup height using foam<\/a>.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/pickup-screws.htm\"><img class=\"alignleft\" style=\"margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px;\" title=\"Pickup Foam\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/images\/other\/pickup-foam_thumb.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"145\" height=\"100\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/pickup-screws.htm\">\u00a0<strong>$1 &#8211;\u00a0<\/strong>8&#8243; pieces of Pickup Foam available from Best Bass Gear<strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/pickup-screws.htm\">Dimensions: 1\/2&#8243; Thick X 1\/2&#8243; Wide X 8&#8243; Long.<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Step 4 &#8211; Installing the new pickups<\/h3>\n<p><strong><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/electronics\/pickup\/how-to-install-a-precision-bass-pickup-set.html\/attachment\/vlcsnap-2012-04-18-11h15m03s230\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-867\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-867\" title=\"vlcsnap-2012-04-18-11h15m03s230\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/vlcsnap-2012-04-18-11h15m03s230-591x332.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"591\" height=\"332\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>On a P-bass pickup set you have two leads &#8211; typically black and white. Place them into the bass with the wires running nicely into the preamp cavity.<\/p>\n<p>Now we are going to put the pickup screws in by hand. Yes, you have that powerful electric screw driver that saves you tons of time and is a kick to use. That&#8217;s not the tool for this job. Use your good ol&#8217; screwdriver and work slowly to make sure you get the screws back directly in their holes, and to get the pickup at the desired height.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/bestbassgear.3dcartstores.com\/assets\/images\/pickups_preamps_ag4p60_main.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"110\" height=\"135\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/aguilar-ag-4p-60-p-bass-pickups.htm\">\u00a0<strong>$109.99 &#8211;\u00a0Aguilar 4P-60 Mid 60s P-Bass 4-String Pickup Set\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0available from Best Bass Gear<strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/aguilar-ag-4p-60-p-bass-pickups.htm\">Your search for that classic &#8217;60s vibe and feel in your precision bass pickup has come to an end. With the 4P-60 Aguilar created a Fender Precision bass replacement pickup with the same big, round tone you&#8217;ll hear in almost any hit song from the decade.\u00a0<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Step 5 &#8211; Solder your new pickups<\/h3>\n<p><strong><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/electronics\/pickup\/how-to-install-a-precision-bass-pickup-set.html\/attachment\/vlcsnap-2012-04-18-11h15m22s153\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-868\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-868\" title=\"vlcsnap-2012-04-18-11h15m22s153\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/vlcsnap-2012-04-18-11h15m22s153-591x332.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"591\" height=\"332\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Now get your soldering iron warmed up and good to go. When soldering remember that it is important have good tin on the tip of your soldering iron. You&#8217;ve got old cut wires to show you exactly where you&#8217;re soldering your new wires.<\/p>\n<p>Our black wire from the pickups goes to ground, which on the back of the potentiometer. It helps to have a good amount of heat because it tend to take a little more heat from your iron when connecting to potentiometers.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time remove that old cut wire from the previous pickup.<\/p>\n<p>Repeat the same steps with your white wire.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Step 6 &#8211; Testing<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/electronics\/pickup\/how-to-install-a-precision-bass-pickup-set.html\/attachment\/vlcsnap-2012-04-18-11h16m14s154\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-869\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-869\" title=\"vlcsnap-2012-04-18-11h16m14s154\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/vlcsnap-2012-04-18-11h16m14s154-591x332.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"591\" height=\"332\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Plug it in and see how it works. If everything is good, replace the pickup guard, find those screws you put aside, and install the pickguard back to the bass.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/electronics\/pickup\/how-to-install-a-precision-bass-pickup-set.html\/attachment\/vlcsnap-2012-04-18-11h16m31s60\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-870\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-870\" title=\"vlcsnap-2012-04-18-11h16m31s60\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/vlcsnap-2012-04-18-11h16m31s60-591x332.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"591\" height=\"332\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In our next edition of our How-to video series Best Bass Gear tech Max will deonstrate how to install a P Bass pickup into a bass guitar.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":861,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[8,12,3,7],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/859"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=859"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/859\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/861"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=859"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=859"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bestbassgear.com\/ebass\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=859"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}