Installing Minihums on a Studio

[seeker]

Am looking at converting my 06 Studio Goldtop to run minihums; currently has P90s. 

 

Have found the mounting brackets on Stew Mac, but am unsure about which pickup mounting rings to get. 

https://www.stewmac.com/SiteSearch/?search=mini humbucker mounting

Have had to sand down rings before (McNaught neck angle is non-standard), but would like to minimize that if possible.

 

BTW the MHs are a 70s gibson in neck, with a 63ish Silvertone (P-19?) in the bridge.  Got em in a swap with my bro. 

[Jakeboy]

I put Firebird minis in my Artist, which was designed for full size buckers. I found black plastic mounting rings on eBay. They are also out there in chrome. 

Here is a pic:

[hamerhead]

I used regular Gibson Deluxe-type on mine.

I don't recall doing any tweaking to make them work.

[Dutchman]

I’ve done the transformation on several guitars. Here’s what I’ve used and works great!!

https://reverb.com/item/2447518-deluxe-mini-humbucker-to-p90-soapbar-mounting-adapter-rings-set-black-w-screws

[JochenP]

I´ve put in a SD SM 3N to my Archtop P90

[tbonesullivan]

You need the Deluxe rings, which were made to put Mini humbuckers into a p90 route. The other rings require a route sized for Minis like on a firebird or eclipse.

You may also need that "deluxe mounting bracket", which is part of the set I think.

[Jakeboy]

Ahhh....I missed the P90s part. When I tried the birds in my P90s Firenza I bought mounting rings from Guitarfetish that worked. They were tight in the cavity (!) But they worked.

[seeker]

Well,

The Stew Mac Deluxe Mini Humbucker mounting rings do NOT fit in my 06 Hamer GT.  Ended up stripping the head of one of the phillips head mounting screws before I realized it.  Sooo close.  Managed to get the spare one in there, but had to pound it in.  Could hang a 5 lb weight from it, flip the guitar upside down, and swear it wouldnt come out.  The screws dont have a chance.   Have contacted them.  Will see what they have to say. 

OTOH, the original 70s Gibby Deluxe ring that was able to reuse for the neck pickup works like a champ; screwed right into the bracket with 1-2 mil clearance all around.  And also, the SM brackets are well made, with pretty clear instructions.  Measure twice, drill once.

[seeker]

What I have found is that the original LP Deluxe rings appear to be 85mmin diameter, but the current crop of replacement rings are almost all 87mm.  Stewmac, Allparts, even GFS.   The only exception are Wilkinson rings, but the only source I found is a guy in the UK on ebay.

Ended up cutting a notch out of the sidewall to cut out and replace the stripped bolt.  Then sanded down that side to fit in the cavity. 

 

Result: