Westie pickup swap

[Davey]

Finally decided to pull the West Street pickups and put in an uncovered 57/08 in the neck position and an uncovered 59/09 bridge.

I was contemplating this swap for a while after reading some comments in here about how great they sound together and the stock West Street pups just weren't doing it for me after trying different overall heights, screw heights, setups etc.

It is super cramped in the Westie/Santana cavity so a ton a patience was needed. I had to get creative with the 3 way toggle tabs and keeping everything spaced properly to avoid shorts.
The cavity shot was taken right before I added shrink tube to all of the braided line. I had good spacing but didnt take any chances of an errant short.

Built up and soldered the volume and tone pots along with the 3-way toggle on a small board. Then transferred that into the Westie and finished it up with the coil taps and all the grounds.

All worked out and happy with the results.
I think the black uncovered pups look good in the Westie.
Just finished this morning, but I am already loving the sound of this particular combo.

I might have to pop for a set of rosewood or ebony tuner buttons.

 

[bodia]

Nice! I approve.

 

[Eddie kim]

Finally decided to pull the West Street pickups and put in an uncovered 57/08 in the neck position and an uncovered 59/09 bridge.

I was contemplating this swap for a while after reading some comments in here about how great they sound together and the stock West Street pups just weren't doing it for me after trying different overall heights, screw heights, setups etc.

It is super cramped in the Westie/Santana cavity so a ton a patience was needed. I had to get creative with the 3 way toggle tabs and keeping everything spaced properly to avoid shorts.
The cavity shot was taken right before I added shrink tube to all of the braided line. I had good spacing but didnt take any chances of an errant short.

Built up and soldered the volume and tone pots along with the 3-way toggle on a small board. Then transferred that into the Westie and finished it up with the coil taps and all the grounds.

All worked out and happy with the results.
I think the black uncovered pups look good in the Westie.
Just finished this morning, but I am already loving the sound of this particular combo.

I might have to pop for a set of rosewood or ebony tuner buttons.

Super clean install

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Hot guitar!

 

[KentuckyBoiledChiccan]

Wow, that is cramped! Well done. Just putting 59/09 in one of my guitars. Hopefully will be able do the final touches on monday, work is a *****

 

[Davey]

Thanks guys.

Spent most of the day tweaking the pickup and pole heights.
I brought out the KL and the 5909 for a comparison.

The 5909 is snappy, raunchy and feels like a race car with that rosewood neck but can be sweetened up when the volume is backed off.
The KL is still #1 for me. I don't know what it is, but I am guessing there is something special in those unetched 5708's. They just sing and do everything so perfectly well.
The Westie sits nicely in between both. It can be really raunchy, but then dialed back to some creamy blues and sparkling cleans.
Glad I went with this pickup combo and I can see why a lot of you recommend the combo.

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

Good lord. That is very well done! Approved here.

 

[Davey]

Just a quick blip of an update. I originally put in a .033uf capacitor between the vol and tone and it just seemed to have a little brighter almost harsh high end tone to me so I swapped the .033 out for a .022uf and it's much, much better.
A little warmer and not quite so bright.
Oh and I added some Rosewood tuning keys.
I also pulled the ohm TRC as I just wasnt jivin' with it and installed rosewood one, but the TRC along with tuners and original electronics are safely tucked away.
This one is done.

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

Awesome! I still want a Westie bad. One day I’ll grab one.

 

[g.wizz]

very nice job to a great mod , enjoy your fruit of labor

 

[Bill SAS 513]

Damn cramped, but that looks killer!!!! Enjoy...Nice family shot, too.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Awesome! I still want a Westie bad. One day I’ll grab one.

I got a plain one you could buy

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

I got a plain one you could buy

you know I like them plain ones

 

[vchizzle]

I wish squabbin 5708's were more available. great combo ya got in there.

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

I wish squabbin 5708's were more available. great combo ya got in there.

i picked up 2 sets recently. They are fantastic!

 

[László]

Beautiful workmanship and installation. And that is one sweet looking guitar! Everything you've done to it looks perfect.

 

[Davey]

I wish squabbin 5708's were more available. great combo ya got in there.

You and me both. I searched for a while before I found this one.

The covered 5909's are hard to come by as well.

I had thought if I find an uncovered 5708 neck or a covered 5909 bridge, I would scoop it up. Then depending on which, buy the easily available uncovered 5909 or covered 5708.

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

You and me both. I searched for a while before I found this one.

The covered 5909's are hard to come by as well.

I had thought if I find an uncovered 5708 neck or a covered 5909 bridge, I would scoop it up. Then depending on which, buy the easily available uncovered 5909 or covered 5708.

I scooped up a set of covered 59/09’s a few months ago. I had them in my SAS for a bit but ended up passing them along to gush. I want to get a 59/09 for the bridge of my CU24 here soon since it doesn’t have enough oomph for the bridge tone in my opinion.

I really like the full Squabbin set in my SAS.