[agt]

Seymour Duncan and several other manufacturers' pickups come with square mounting tabs whereas Dimarzios generally come with triangular tabs.

If one wished to use Duncan pickups in a Music Man guitar with pickup cavities routed for Dimarzios, what is the safest and/or most generally accepted way to reshape the metal tabs? Any information or links showing how this can be done will be much appreciated! 

I do not wish to enlarge the routed cavities in the guitar and obviously the pickups are direct-mounted (no pick guard or mounting rings).

Is this a commonly performed DIY job for or is it best left to a professional luthier? I would imagine that, with the right tools and some patience, I shouldl be able to do this.

I am aware that some manufacturers will custom make triangular tabs on request, but I am concerned with modifying existing stock pickups.

Thanks!

[marcwormjim]

Just use tin-snips or fret cutters to trim the corners off, then use a drill bit to ream the screw holes for direct-mounting, if need be. If you have the tools, it can be done with no more effort than clipping toenails. It’s far less of a hassle than swapping baseplates.

[buddroyce]

It's a fairly common DIY job. You don't need a professional to do it for you. Unless of course you're getting someone else to help you wire it. In which case, you can get them to do it for you.

[Strangeman86]

Years ago I took a pair of needle nose pliers and simply bent the feet into triangle-ish shapes.  Though I will admit that took some patience and very deliberate effort (I really wouldn't call it option A, but if you're desperate and willing...).

[agt]

Thanks for the replies, folks!

marcwormjim's suggestion about using tin snips or fret cutters is exactly what I was looking for.

[darkbluemurder]

Instead of reaming the holes for direct mounting I recommend modifying the screws. That way you can use the holes for spring mounting if you wish at a later stage.

I hate it when I buy used pickups where the holes were reamed for direct mounting without telling this fact in the ad. It is not a deal breaker per se but I would like to know before buying.

Cheers Stephan

[DarthPhineas]

Another possible option

Check out some parts houses (i.e., Mojotone, etc) to source some new baseplates with the proper pole spacing that have the tabs you want. Then it’s just a simple solder job that can be reversible.

Or find other pickups that come with the triangle tabs, like Suhr.

[marcwormjim]

Instead of reaming the holes for direct mounting I recommend modifying the screws. That way you can use the holes for spring mounting if you wish at a later stage.

I hate it when I buy used pickups where the holes were reamed for direct mounting without telling this fact in the ad. It is not a deal breaker per se but I would like to know before buying.

This is a pet peeve of mine as well - But every direct-mount guitar I own has threaded inserts for the pickup screws; and drilling out the tabs has been the lesser evil.

[agt]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

For the benefit of anyone who may come across this thread in the future, I purchased a set of Wiss 7" utility shears and performed the surgery. As marcwormjim suggested, it literally was as easy as clipping toe nails.

[5150]

I never thought about getting shears. Actually makes a lot more sense than trying to do it with a pair of wire cutters.

[gtrjunior]

Ill add that a dremel type tool would probably get the job done as well.

[SkyMonkey]

If it was me I would try and find a really cheap, nasty, old pickup with square tabs to practice on first.