To mod or not?

[dboy66]

Awright.

I've got an '82 Checkerboard that is, ah, shall we say "challenged", in the finish department. Plays like a dream though. I hoped to drop some Phat Cats in (because I love the tone) and make a few inspirational aesthetic (chrome) mods, however I discovered that covered pups do not fit in the existing routes. Apparently, an uncovered pup has an ever so slightly smaller footprint than whatever Hamer was thinking back in '82. I can wiggle the the covered pup in, but the mounting screws will not align with any ring. My first thought was that I need to call Uncle Greg, but now I'm thinking that maybe I should leave well enough alone. This Special plays badass, but just looks squirrely. Should I leave it alone? Any thoughts or suggestions are much appreciated.

[Scottcrud]

First question, are you going to sell it or keep it? If it's a keeper, than I personally would make it "work" for you. If making the pickup slots bigger is what You want then do it.

It's not like it's a 52 Tele or 57 Les Paul.

[murkat]

they can be "shoe horned" in properly.

Like it was meant to be

[dboy66]

they can be "shoe horned" in properly.

Like it was meant to be

Yes. Indeed they can. But then the screw holes for the mounting rings do not line up, and there is no 'wiggle room' for the pup itself or the ring.

[hamerhead]

I say leave it. As soon as you mess with it, you'll wish you hadn't. I almost put a middle pickup in my '81. I'm so glad that urge went away.

[murkat]

I know of on the gibson covers, that there is a "lip" around the edge line.

What I have done many times~

A. place in vice with wooden sides on clamps. get the solder iron ready.

As you snug up the can around the pup bezel, re solder,

they will close up.

B. If they are tight, but still have lip, you can tap around it to flatten the lip away.

Sometimes thats all it takes.