V-active mod pics

[fitz]

Entirely @DirtySteve 's fault due to his active pickup inquiry.
I finished up the EMG pup swap from my Squire Strat to Gibson V.
Much obliged by the way Steve, I'm very happy with the results.

The transplant participants.



The V went to the bench last night for disassembly.






I had gutted the Squire last weekend, and did the Gibson 490T&R install once the guts were removed from the V.

 

[fitz]

Parts arrived in the mail today and the EMG install got started this morning.

Needed to insert a battery compartment, so I laid out the location on the back just below the control cavity on the front.



Started with a 1/4" Forstner bit for the tight radius at the corners.



Switched to a 3/4" to hog out most of the rest of the new battery holder cavity.





Some nice sharp chisels square up the sides with little effort.

 

[fitz]

Just a short bore hole to run wires from the battery to the controls.



A quick test fit and...
Dammit, I didn't go deep enough.
The battery insert is 7/8" deep, and I set the depth stop on the drill press at 1".
Tried to leave a little wiggle room to position the bit, but I guess not quite enough.
Back to the drill press...



Another 1/8" and some more chisel work did the trick.





A view from the other side.

 

[fitz]

Assembled all the EMG parts on the pickguard.



Close up of all the solderless, plug and play connectors.



A bit of a clearance issue with the 3-way toggle board.
Got out the dental nightmare bit for the Dremel and carved out a little recess.
It'll all be covered by the pickguard, so no big deal.



Got it all fit and buttoned up.



Fresh set of DR Pure Blues 9-42's, set the action, and tuned 'er up.

 

[fitz]

A few final done shots.

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Well done! Lots of woodwork there too. At least for me!

 

[fitz]

Well done! Lots of woodwork there too. At least for me!

Thanks,
That battery compartment was the only tricky part to the whole EMG install.
Not a big deal to tuck a battery in the controls of a Les Paul or similar rear panel access.
But I didn't want to have to take the strings off and pull the front pickguard for a battery swap.
Those EMG solderless connectors are a piece of cake to put together.

 

[JohnnyGoo]

Nice work.

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Thanks,
That battery compartment was the only tricky part to the whole EMG install.
Not a big deal to tuck a battery in the controls of a Les Paul or similar rear panel access.
But I didn't want to have to take the strings off and pull the front pickguard for a battery swap.
Those EMG solderless connectors are a piece of cake to put together.

Yeah lots of room and easy access for a Lss Paul. V is quite different! Looks great glad you like em in there.