Magnet Removal

Removing the Horseshoe Magnets without disrupting the Electronics.

** Beware: The leads from the pickup (ground and hot) are very fragile ... DON"T TUG on them **

Prewars / Postwar model NS :

Remove the strings.

Unscrew the two screws holding the assembly to the body .... these are on the "Half Moon" plates associated with the thumb screw height adjustment knobs.

Remove both sets.

CAREFULLY lift the assembly up ... don't tug ... and lay it on the body (put some soft cloth down).

You should be able to see the whole assembly now ... and there should be enough "slack" in the leads to let you work.

Look under the mounting plate (a slab of aluminum in prewars ... usually brass in student models and postwars).

You will see 4 brass screws.  

The outermost set of screws (# 6-32) hold the bobbin to the magnets.  There will be a ground comming out of the bobbin ... soldered to a donut clip.  This will probablly be held down by one of the bobbin mounting screws.  This grounds the bobbin and magnets to the mounting plate.

The innermost set of screws (# 8-32) hold the magnets to the mounting plate.

Unscrew the outermost screws first ... being VERY CAREFUL of the ground wire/donut clip ... it is extremely fragile.  When freed, just let it dangle.

Now unscrew the innermost screws  ... they are short .  This frees the magnets.  Carefully slide then out from under the bobbin.

Set the bobbin/ mounting plate back in the bay ... 

Wrap each magnet in bubble wrap and send 'em.

All other Postwars:

Remove the strings.

Unscrew the screws holding down the bridge.

Unscrew all of the screws associated with the tailpiece/pickup frame. 

Lift up the whole assembly ... just enough to peak under to see where the mounting plate is.  DON"T TUG ... the pickup leads are very fragile.

Now unscrew the height adjustment screws (with springs).  When they disengage ... the pickup assembly will drop ... so be ready to catch it.

Put the tailpiece/frame to the side ... out of your way.

You should be able to see the whole assembly now ... and there should be enough "slack" in the leads to let you work.

Look under the mounting plate (brass in postwars).

You will see 4 brass screws.  

The outermost set of screws (# 6-32) hold the bobbin to the magnets.  There will be a ground comming out of the bobbin ... soldered to a donut clip.  This will probablly be held down by one of the bobbin mounting screws.  This grounds the bobbin and magnets to the mounting plate.

The innermost set of screws (# 8-32) hold the magnets to the mounting plate.

Unscrew the outermost screws first ... being VERY CAREFUL of the ground wire/donut clip ... it is extremely fragile.  When freed, just let it dangle.

Now unscrew the innermost screws  ... they are short .  This frees the magnets.  Carefully slide then out from under the bobbin.

Set the bobbin/ mounting plate back in the bay ...