McCarty Soapbar humbucker conversion

[Niles Lewis]

I know tons of people are going to say “Why buy a guitar with P90s just convert it?” Or “just buy another guitar with humbuckers”. Well unfortunately money doesn’t on trees and I really want to convert my McCarty Soapbar into a bucker guitar. If I had the money to just buy another one with buckers I promise I would lol but I have a newborn and just can’t do that right now.

I have a tech that can do it but would love to see pics from anybody who has done this themselves or had a tech do it for them. Are there any gaps or spaces where the bucker will fit? I plan on putting 57/08 pickups in the guitar. Any pics, issues you’ve ran into, or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Jock68]

I did exactly that myself on a PRS SE One, I also added Tone and 3 way Coil split switch. There are no spaces but it would be frightening doing it on an expensive guitar.

 

[Niles Lewis]

I did exactly that myself on a PRS SE One, I also added Tone and 3 way Coil split switch. There are no spaces but it would be frightening doing it on an expensive guitar.

awesome, thanks for the reply! Honestly, it doesn’t make me too nervous because I have a tech I trust to do anything. He’s completely reset necks on vintage Gibson’s, built his own LP replicas, etc. I just want to make sure it can be done without any spaces.

 

[RickP]

How about something like the Dimarzio ToneZone P90? A P90 sized Humbucker so it’s a drop-in replacement, and you can go back to your old pickups if you ever need to do that.

 

[bodia]

Owner!

 

[swede71]

Try the Tom Scholz version first.Keep the neck p90 and do the conversion in the bridge position only.

 

[Niles Lewis]

Try the Tom Scholz version first.Keep the p90 in the neck position and just add one humbucker.

this is something I could get behind!

About the Dimarzio, I’ve seen those and think they sound okay but honestly (as dumb as this may sound to some) I really want a classic humbucker looking pickup. Cream pickup ring and nickel cover. I’ve also seen that Seymour Duncan Custom Shop offers any of their humbucker pickups in a soapbar format where you can just drop them in. This doesn’t cover the aesthetic I’m looking for but I do love Seth Lover pickups and would go that route if I couldn’t get the classic humbucker look from any other company.

 

[RickP]

this is something I could get behind!

About the Dimarzio, I’ve seen those and think they sound okay but honestly (as dumb as this may sound to some) I really want a classic humbucker looking pickup. Cream pickup ring and nickel cover. I’ve also seen that Seymour Duncan Custom Shop offers any of their humbucker pickups in a soapbar format where you can just drop them in. This doesn’t cover the aesthetic I’m looking for but I do love Seth Lover pickups and would go that route if I couldn’t get the classic humbucker look from any other company.

There’s something to be said about how you want a guitar to look, so that really is your call there. I’ve talked to people who regretted hacking up their Les Paul Deluxes for similar purpose, and just as many who loved it and never looked back! It’s really up to you, so make it how you want it to be.

 

[SinSir]

What about a mini humbucker with an adapter ring like this?

https://www.guitarfetish.com/Mini-Humbucker-P90-Soapbar-Adapter-Ring-Kit-CREAM_p_1487.html

 

[Niles Lewis]

What about a mini humbucker with an adapter ring like this?

https://www.guitarfetish.com/Mini-Humbucker-P90-Soapbar-Adapter-Ring-Kit-CREAM_p_1487.html

I’ve thought about a mini hum and really dig the way they sound. I have an old 67 Riviera that I loved and had to sell due to Covid. I play and teach guitar for a living and it really killed my income and just starting to get back to normal income numbers but have a newborn now or I would just buy a 594.

I may go this route but I would probably do the Custom Shop Seymour duncan route before I do mini humbuckers. They have a little different tone (not in a bad way) from regular sized buckers. They seem brighter and a little funkier but they sound great if you can dial them in.

 

[BrianC]

List your guitar on a sell forum like the gear page as For Trade. See what people are willing to trade you for. There may be somebody who would die for yours who has just what you want.

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

Why not have best of both worlds?

 

[Niles Lewis]

So I went with selling my McCarty and bought a used S2 Custom 22. I love the S2 series and used to have a Standard 24. Using the rest of the money to put a payment down on a custom build McCarty 594. Will post pics of my S2 sometime today!

 

[Niles Lewis]

Here it is! Going to drop some 57/08s in it and probably upgrade the wiring as well.

 

[bodia]

Here it is! Going to drop some 57/08s in it and probably upgrade the wiring as well.

Lookin' good!