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Main Forums => Larrivée Guitars => Topic started by: Scottee on February 12, 2004, 03:53:49 PM

Title: Installing K&k Pickup
Post by: Scottee on February 12, 2004, 03:53:49 PM
I have a K&K Pure Western on the way to install in my L-02.  I'm wondering how feasible it is to do the installation myself, as I don't know of any reputable techs around here.  I read through the installation instructions twice, and it seems doable.  I consider myself to have very good dexterity, and the steps sound like I'd be fine doing them all.  Would you guys recommend me doing it myself over paying someone else to do it?  From K&K's manual, even if the pickups are placed 1/8" off from the intended it spot, it still works fine.  The only problem I could see is messing up the drilling of the plug hole, but I can take the necessary precautions with that.  Do I really risk messing up the guitar that bad?
Title: Installing K&k Pickup
Post by: unclrob on February 12, 2004, 07:50:19 PM
The pickup is a breeze to install.The end pin is a -CENSORED-.Just go real slow,I would start with a small bit then slowly incress the size till it's just a tad bit larger then the jack.Also Tape off the area your going to drill.Helps to keep it clean.
Title: Installing K&k Pickup
Post by: mjvincent on February 12, 2004, 07:53:05 PM
I agree with Rob... I installed my own too.  Mind you I didn't have to drill a endpin hole since the D-03R had one already...  It is easy to install and sounds wonderful...
Title: Installing K&k Pickup
Post by: Scottee on February 13, 2004, 01:50:55 AM
Thanks for the feedback.  The pickup gets here Monday, so I'll give it a go then.  What kind of tape do you use to tape off the hole I'm drilling?
Title: Installing K&k Pickup
Post by: Oxford on February 13, 2004, 07:47:02 AM
End pin jacks aren't difficult to install. Just take your time. You may want to invest in a step drill. Or, you can get it done with a hand reamer. That's what I used to do a B-band install on my Guild. Worked great.

Here's a link:

http://www.rkmusicstore.com/cgi-bin/spgm?d...ch=DD&item=1499 (http://www.rkmusicstore.com/cgi-bin/spgm?dpt=D&srch=DD&item=1499)
Title: Installing K&k Pickup
Post by: Imapickn on February 13, 2004, 07:55:20 AM
Yeah.... stay away from a drill bit..... It is way to easy to chip up the finish around the hole... Get a reamer..
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_...ack_Reamer.html (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for:_Electronics/Endpin_Jack_Reamer.html)
If you don't want to buy one, check with your local shop, and ask them to ream it out. I am sure they would charge much.... BUT..... the drill bit could cause you some real damage.  Just my 2 cents worth..  Don
Title: Installing K&k Pickup
Post by: unclrob on February 13, 2004, 09:02:24 AM
Masking tape.....and a reamer is always best....if you don't have one the drill is ok just take it slowwwwwwww.
Title: Installing K&k Pickup
Post by: Imapickn on February 13, 2004, 10:27:49 AM
unclrob is sure right about using lots-o-tape.... Here is link to the Taylor site that does show using a drill..
http://216.120.92.69/global/pdfs/install_e...nd_pin_jack.pdf (http://216.120.92.69/global/pdfs/install_end_pin_jack.pdf)
Best of luck...    Don
Title: Installing K&k Pickup
Post by: stevelawsn on February 13, 2004, 10:41:03 AM
I don't think that I would come near a guitar with a spade bit like they show. Spade bits are for drilling holes in framing lumber. A spade bit would chip and splinter the hole as it came through into the guitar.  
Title: Installing K&k Pickup
Post by: unclrob on February 13, 2004, 11:32:05 AM
Steve is rite about the spade bit,be Very Very VERY VERY CAREFUL!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Installing K&k Pickup
Post by: Scottee on February 13, 2004, 04:24:10 PM
Thanks for all the replies.

The center of the base of the L-02, where the end pin is, is ABS plastic.  I'm not sure if the plastic goes all the way through to the inside, but this should make using a drill bit pretty safe, right?  It looks like it's wide enough for the 1/2" hole I need.  Anyone who's drilled a -02 series know if the plastic goes through or if it's just on the surface?
Title: Installing K&k Pickup
Post by: unclrob on February 13, 2004, 05:10:20 PM
the plastic inlay is about 1/16 of an inch
Title: Installing K&k Pickup
Post by: Scottee on February 14, 2004, 10:13:42 PM
Ok, I found someone who I think has a hand-reamer the size I need and I'm picking it up tomorrow.

After I remove the current end pin, is it possible to use that same end pin as the other strap pin at the neck joint?  Can I drill that hole myself and just move it like that?  The end pin has a screw in it right now that goes into the guitar.
Title: Installing K&k Pickup
Post by: Scottee on February 14, 2004, 10:14:16 PM
Oh, my pickup doesn't get here til Monday, so I'll probably be doing all this then.
Title: Installing K&k Pickup
Post by: Scottee on February 16, 2004, 10:21:24 PM
Surgery a success!  Pickup came today.  Of course as soon as I opened it, I got ready to install it.  There was an hour long struggle with a drill bit that wouldn't grip in the drill.  I used a reamer type thing on the edges and a the drill for most of the hole.  I came out with a small crack in the finish, but hey, I'm gonna keep this guitar forever, so it's ok.

On to the real point.  The K&K Pure Western absolutely rocks!  Thanks to everyone on the board who recommended it.  I did a quick live test, and it's about 2-3 times louder than two old external passive pickups I have here.  And the sound is absolutely, well, real.  At certain volumes, I couldn't tell if the sound was coming from the headphones or the live guitar.  I'll do a real test and try it out side by side with a microphone later on this week.
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