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You got your new stratocaster pickups, and can't wait to put them in. The stratocaster is possibly the easiest instrument to install electronics on, due to the fact that everything is loaded under the pick guard, save for the jack. This article will show how to get vintage-style pickups, or standard pickups, in as quickly as possible.



  1. 1
    Remove the outer screws of the pick guard (count 11 on a modern guitar or 8 on a vintage-style).
  2. 2
    De-solder the leads (wires) connecting the pickups to the electronics, and remove one at a time. (Keep the screws where you can see them.)
  3. 3
    Get a schematic of your guitar's wiring on the internet, or draw one that you can understand yourself. If need be, mark all the wires with numbers so they can be identified.
  4. 4
    Screw one pickup into its slot (make sure you know which one goes where).
  5. 5
    Again, if you are inexperienced, it is not advised to do this alone. Heat the contact the hot lead goes to, and then, while keeping the iron on that spot, bring the solder and the lead over and hold these for just a second, and then remove the SOLDER first, then the iron. Check for stability, and make sure it is not a cold joint.
  6. 6
    Following the schematic, install another pickup, and solder the lead to the contact it goes to, and repeat the above steps for the next two.
  7. 7
    Heat the place where the ground leads go to for a quick moment (usually the volume pot), and then grab all three ground leads and solder and carefully solder them to one spot, and slowly remove the solder, then the iron. Check for stability, etc.
  8. 8
    You can use an ohm meter to check if the joints are okay and every position works, or you can plug the guitar in and put a screwdriver or something (soft) magnetic (any metal) and test every position. If it hums when you touch, say, the neck pickup with the screwdriver while on that position, it works. Do the same for all, and make sure all the pots work as intended.
  9. 9
    Screw the pick guard back in; plug in, tune up, play out!

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Seymour teaches us how it's done!


  • With practice, everything seems natural.
  • When doing this process, it is recommended that you de-solder the leads from the output jack, so you can put the pick guard safely over a surface that can't be damaged (it is done so as to protect your stratocaster).
  • The above is for vintage wiring and standard wiring, and not for four-conductor wiring, as with humbuckers.


  • Make sure that you only leave the iron on the contact for a quick second, and use only enough solder. Too much can fry the electronics, too little will inhibit conductivity.
  • NEVER leave your iron on when not using it, and please, use common sense; don't burn yourself

Things You'll Need

  • Soldering iron (15-30 Watts)
  • Solder (60/40 rosin core)
  • New pickups
  • Patience
  • Knowledge

Article Info

Categories: Electric Guitar | Guitar Accessories

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