Guitar Pickup Repair, Fitting & Customisation by Our Technician
Why Professional Pickup Installation Matters
Your guitar’s pickups define its voice. Whether you’re chasing the clarity of an acoustic guitar pickup, the growl of a high-output humbucker, or the nuanced warmth of bareknuckle pickups, expert fitting and setup ensure optimal tone, balance and tuning stability.
Our Pickup Services for All Electric, Acoustic or Bass Guitars.
... Some folks have referred to Dave as "The Pickup Artist"...
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Pickup Repair & Maintenance
Diagnose and fix coil shorts, cold solder joints, scratchy potentiometers and other electronics faults.
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Pickup Fitting & Replacement
From replacing guitar pickups to installing piezo or magnetic systems, we handle routing, shielding and precise mounting for perfect alignment.
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Custom Pickups & Configurations
Advice and installation of bespoke custom pickups, coil-splits, phase switches and multi-pickup blends to suit any playing style.
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Genre-Specific Tone Matching
Recommend and install the best pickups for a genre of music—blues, jazz, metal or country—tailored to your amp and pedals.
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Types of Guitar Pickups
Single-coil, humbucker, P-90, soapbar, active and different types of guitar pickups—we’ll guide you through each option.
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Acoustic & Semi-Acoustic Pickup Installation
Expert fitting of acoustic guitar pickups, undersaddle piezos and soundhole systems with minimal body modification.
Handwound Pickups
For players seeking artisanal tone, explore our selection of handwound guitar pickups. Each set is wound by hand for enhanced clarity, dynamic response and vintage-style character—ideal for guitarists chasing that boutique sound.
Our Setup Process
These are the most common tasks we carry out to get your guitar sounding great again.
Consultation & Pickup Selection
Discuss your tone goals and playing style, then choose from acoustic guitar pickups, Bareknuckle or boutique handwound sets—and the ideal single-coil, humbucker or custom configuration for your genre.
Pickup Removal & Cavity Preparation
Carefully de-solder and extract your existing pickups, then clean and shield the pickup cavity with conductive paint or foil to eliminate hum and interference.
Pickup Mounting & Alignment
Securely position each pickup—routing or adjusting mounting rings as needed—for optimal height and balance between power and clarity.
Guitar Pickup Wiring & Soldering
Tone Fine-Tuning & Testing
Adjust pole-pieces, cap values and pot tapers; test every pickup combination, coil-split and phase setting to nail your perfect tonal palette.
Final Setup & Quality Assurance
Perform a quick neck relief, string action and intonation check; play-test through clean, overdrive and acoustic styles, then guide you in dialing in your new custom tone.
Specialist Guitar Pickup Fitting & Tone Tuning
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Skilled Technician: Deep expertise in pickup electronics, cabinet wiring and shielding.
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Premium Brands & Parts: We fit everything from Seymour Duncan and Bareknuckle to boutique handwound sets.
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Personalised Tone Consultation: Tone-matching services and A/B demos ensure you get the right pickup for your style.
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Transparent Pricing: Detailed quotes before any work, with no hidden fees.
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Local Bristol Service: Fast turnaround and in-shop demos so you leave confident in your new tone.
General Pricing Guide
£30 Diagnostic & Consult
Let's checkover your instrument, work out what sound you're looking for and get you started!
£40 Fitting & Tweaking
I'll make sure the new pickups fit and sound great, great sounding guitars are what we do!
Unique Customisation
Need something nobody seems to offer? Send me your idea and let's see what we can do.
Benefits of Upgrading Your Guitar Pickups
Your pickups are the bating heart of the guitar's tone.
Enhanced Tone & Clarity
Fresh pickups deliver a more articulate, dynamic sound—whether you opt for single-coil sparkle, humbucker warmth or boutique handwound character.
Genre-Tailored Voice
Match your tone to your style: choose the best pickups for a genre of music, from crisp country clean to high-gain metal growl.
Improved Output & Dynamics
Modern high-output or active designs push your amp harder, while custom wound sets respond more sensitively to your picking attack.
Reduced Noise & Hum
Upgraded pickups and proper cavity shielding virtually eliminate 60Hz hum and RF interference, especially important with single-coil systems.
Reliability & Stability
New wiring, solid-core conductors and premium solder joints mean fewer cold-solder faults, scratchy pots or intermittent signal dropouts.
Acoustic Versatility
For acoustic guitars, a high-quality acoustic guitar pickup or undersaddle piezo ensures natural, balanced amplification for live and studio use.
Personalised Customisation
Tailor your tone with custom pickups: coil-splits, stacked humbuckers or P-90s in non-standard routs give you unique sonic flavours.
Increased Resale Value
Professional fitting of recognized brands (like Bareknuckle pickups) or bespoke handwound sets can boost your guitar’s market appeal.
Expanded Tonal Palette & Flexibility
Modern pickups offer multi-voice options (coil-splits, tap settings) and diverse winding styles, giving you a broader range of tones from a single guitar.
Book Guitar Pickup Service:
Our experts will have your guitar sounding the way you want it in no time.
Lesson Location:
Visits strictly by appointment only
9 Furber Ridge, Bristol BS5 8PY
Guitar lessons for players of every skill level!
Unlock your musical potential at any stage of your journey! Whether you’re just starting out, returning after a break, or refining advanced techniques, our guitar lessons are designed to meet you where you are. With personalized guidance, flexible pacing, and a supportive learning environment, you’ll build confidence and mastery in genres you love. Let’s make music together—one chord, riff, and melody at a time.
Repairs & Setup
Fix Up Your Guitar
For the last 15 years I’ve set up, repaired and customized guitars of all prices and styles – from cool Les Paul’s to cheap and cheerful first guitars picked up from the charity shop. Whatever your guitar type (acoustic, electric, bass) or style – I’ll make it more playable and deliver a better sound.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which pickup type suits my music?
We assess your playing style and gear to recommend the right single-coil, humbucker or P-90 for your genre.
What’s involved in replacing guitar pickups?
Removal of old pickups, cavity prep, soldering to controls and height adjustment for balanced output.
Can you install acoustic guitar pickups without drilling?
Yes—undersaddle piezo and soundhole units can be fitted with minimal or no body modifications.
What are handwound pickups, and why choose them?
Handwound pickups are wound coil-by-coil manually, offering nuanced dynamics and vintage accuracy.
Do you service active and passive pickups?
Absolutely—we repair, replace and set up both active (battery-powered) and passive pickups.
How long does a pickup fitting take?
Standard installations are completed within 24–48 hours; custom wiring or routing may take longer.
What are Bareknuckle pickups, and do you fit them?
Bareknuckle are UK-made high-end humbuckers and P-90s; we’re authorised dealers and fitters.
Can I mix different pickup types on one guitar?
Yes—coil-splits, phase switches and custom wiring let you combine single-coil clarity with humbucker power.
Will new pickups affect my guitar’s resale value?
Quality installations with reversible mounting preserve—and often enhance—resale value.
How do I book a pickup service or consultation?
Contact us via phone or email with your guitar’s make/model and preferred drop-off date to arrange a fitting.
