Retro Fit HO with M

[njjessee]

Hey Tom! I'm thinking about replacing the HO1- neck pickup in my Cobra with an M1. Is it doable?

Do I need a new ring or some other adapter? As far as wiring, just put the same wires from the M1 where the HO1- wires were?

Thanks, Noah

[tom]

we haven't tried that swap. there is currently no dress ring for that. i have gotten several requests, so i'll look at it today and see if there's a way to make it not look cheesy.

[sonicparke]

You could always have this guy make you some new rings:

http://www.fretsonthenet.net/other_parts.htm

[tom]

that would work. i checked, and the pickup clears the existing rout. there would be a fair amount or flat ring on the sides of the pickup.

[Stan Malinowski]

Tom,

Would you consider offering these as parts?

[tom]

we may offer a flat black one. it would have to be made of .090" material to be practical for us. i don't think we'll get into a thick one like the other guy is offering. also i don't know of any creme plastic that i could make them out of using the laser. if anyone contacts the other guy, let me know if he needs dimensions or a drawing. it doesn't look like he has creme plastic either.

[sonicparke]

So are your pickup rings thinner than the thin flat "neck" rings that allparts sells?

[tom]

we use the standard thin rings, but have them made flat, with no angle. if we made an adapter ring, it would have to be thinner, .090. the rings we buy are .165" tall.

[njjessee]

Tom, does all this mean I can use the existing ring, but there would be a fair amount of open space around the sides?

Noah

[tom]

i'm not sure i understand what you just asked. the existing humbucking ring will not be used. the mini will fit within the existing hole in the body, with lots left over. what is needed is a ring that is big enough to cover the hole that is there, and has the hole for the mini in it as well. we just did a retro for brian's classic t where we made a flat ring for the m3 to be placed instead of the TD3 he had. it also required some routing.

[njjessee]

Okay, I think I understand... the mini attaches to the guitar body within the existing route, the ring is simply cosmetic. Unlike the fullsize humbucker, where the adjustment screws are on the ring.

[tom]

normally, the pickup is mounted to the body, and there is no ring. in the case of a retro, it can mount to the ring.

[njjessee]

So I can use the existing ring for the M?

[tom]

sorry again for not being clear. the m could mount to a new custom ring. the existing humbucker ring will serve no purpose whatsoever with the mini.