DIY: replacing pickups in a semi-hollow body

[cobo]

I'm no expert, but I've used this technique 4 or 5 times now in various guitars, and it works well enough that I have no reservations about removing pickups from a semi-hollow or fully-hollow guitar.  I made this video after purchasing a Gibbons ES-390 that hummed more than any guitar I've ever owned, and I've owned and built a few P90 guitars, so it's not like it was my first rodeo with those pickups.  Thought I would pass it along to you guys.  YMMV.

Happy to answer any questions.

How I replace pickups/harness in a semi-hollow guitar:  https://youtu.be/yJgBYFvP9fk

Original Gibbons ES-390 wiring harness:  https://youtu.be/95S_XZt-n_w

 

[Genericmusic]

[TalismanRich]

I found it handy to add shrink tubing over the braid after I redid the harness in my 535 and somehow the braid was touching something it wasn't supposed to causing one channel to go dead.    Pulled the harness and everthing was fine.    Covered the cables and put back in with no problems.

[cobo]

5 minutes ago, TalismanRich said:

I found it handy to add shrink tubing over the braid after I redid the harness in my 535 and somehow the braid was touching something it wasn't supposed to causing one channel to go dead.    Pulled the harness and everthing was fine.    Covered the cables and put back in with no problems.

Yes indeed, shrink tubing is also good to use.  When I ended up converting the wiring to '50's style (after the video was made), I installed some shrink tubing over the cables to help ensure they don't touch anything they shouldn't.