- 1). Ensure that you purchase pickups that fit your guitar. The installation process is much simpler if the holes for your previous pickups match up with the dimensions for your EMG pickups. For example, the SS89 combination set includes two single coil sized pickups, and one humbucker sized pickup (the EMG-89 or 81-TW). In addition, there is a push-pull volume switch, two tone controls and a "5 Position Switch" for selecting the pickups while playing.
- 2). Access your guitar's internal electronics. Most guitars have a panel on the back which must be unscrewed to access the electronics, but some models will have a removable pick-guard for access through the front.
- 3). Remove old pickups and switch or dial controls. This may require use of a soldering iron or screwdriver, depending on your individual guitar. Mount the new components into the relevant positions on the guitar. If your guitar has a removable pick-guard, it is likely that the controls will have to be mounted here. On other guitars, these are likely to sit in the guitar's body.
- 4). Connect the bridge pickup to the volume control dial. If your guitar has a volume control for each pickup, wire each one into its dial. The SS89 has a pull switch, so the order of the wires that are connected to the unit determines how the volume for each pickup is controlled. This will vary depending on your model, and you should find your product manual from EMG's support website (see Resources).
- 5). Connect the remainder of the wires from your pickups as directed in the manual. Typically, black and white audio cables connect from the pickups to the switchboard (through the volume controls, if applicable), and a red cable is also connected from the pickups to the switchboard.
- 6). Wire the battery to the switchboard and output jack. EMG pickups require a nine volt battery to run, and if your guitar doesn't have a battery holder, you will have to attach one manually. The negative (black) cable from the battery connects to the small ring on the guitar's output jack.
- 7). Wire the tone knob(s) to the switchboard, and then run the black and white output cable from the switchboard to the output jack on the guitar. The wires connect to the tip and sleeve of the output jack.
- 8). Screw the pickups and controls in place, and replace your guitar's pick guard or back plate. Plug your axe in and test out the pickups.
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