Anybody has done such a conversion ?

[DrBGood]

On a batwing pickguard SG, to go from humbuckers to P90s (with a new pickguard of course) ? Yes I know it would involve rerouting for P90s and no I don't want P94s.

From this ...


... to that.

 

[papagayo]

Very easy,

 

[Decadent Dan]

I’ve seen one for sale. It looked like a 2016 Standard P90T but it originally had humbuckers.
An SG Classic pickguard might get you there.

 

[njpaulc]

There was an article on the old Everything SG page detailing the steps for a P90 conversion. It might still be floating around the web

 

[schmidtp]

Its not that hard....once you find the correct pickguard as not all SG pickguards are equal. There's so many slight variations to the SG shape, neck and pickup positions that it can be hard to find one that lines up correctly (even before the routing begins). You really have to do your homework before you purchase one. Even then, you may have to drill some extra holes.
Where were you planning to buy the pickguard from?

 

[DrBGood]

Its not that hard....once you find the correct pickguard as not all SG pickguards are equal. There's so many slight variations to the SG shape, neck and pickup positions that it can be hard to find one that lines up correctly (even before the routing begins). You really have to do your homework before you purchase one. Even then, you'll may have to drill some extra holes.
Where were you planning to buy the pickguard from?

Haven't looked into it yet.

 

[SoPro]

Yes, definitely easy. You don't need to be good at routing or have special tools since the pickguard hides a multitude of sins. (Obviously, it's better if your woodworking skills are better than mine, but my pickguard stays on, LOL)
My first COVID lockdown at-home project was to replace the stock humbuckers in an Epi G400 1966 w/ Mojotone "56 Quiet Coil" P-90 Soapbars.

Note that you might be able to find a ready-made pickguard that matches your screw pattern, batwing outline, and the make/model of P90s you choose, but if not there are jillions of companies that make custom pickguards. You can match your existing shape or design your own and they have styles/color/photo-imprints galore from which to choose. I got mine from Greasy Groove* since they had a template for my exact model that was easy for me to trace on and mod for the the new PUPs.

I splurged a little and replaced the chrome grovers with vintage-style and couldn't believe the fantastic color match. (I recently found great use for the SG's stock chrome tuners & PUPs for a trans-blue Epi Dot Deluxe that had gold hardware. I don't know that Alnico Classic/Classic Plus from the SG are any better than the Dot's Classic 57s, but I couldn't stand the pitted gold look!!!)

Here's what the stock guitar looks like, as advertised online:




Here's my finished results:


If interested, here are some intermediate steps:


And here's a pic of the Greasy Groove stock replacement pdf template w/ my mark-ups for custom pickup holes. The actual pdf is attached, too.



*I have nothing but praise for their workmanship, but communication skills weren't so great. Might have been due to pandemic probs so take this one review for what it is. TBH, I thought they'd appreciate the "after" photo I sent along with praise & thanks but never heard a peep or acknowledgement of any kind.

 

[Gary Gretsch]

Wow. I was thinking about this today. Some place I have pictures of a finished standard converted to P90 and can not find them. When I was thinking of doing this you can buy a pickguard with no puck up holes. Such a great guitar to have P90's in.

 

[schmidtp]

Note that you might be able to find a ready-made pickguard that matches your screw pattern, batwing outline, and the make/model of P90s you choose

The other option (which might be less hassle than finding the correct one since you probably have a router) is to make your own. That way you can use your old guard as a template and just add in the P90s instead of humbuckers. You'll just need a template router bit (top bearing) and a chamfer bit for the outside bevel.

 

[Gary Gretsch]

Dr. Are you thinking about converting your Walnut Tribute?

 

[DrBGood]

Dr. Are you thinking about converting your Walnut Tribute?

Maybe yes, really not sure.

 

[cerebral gasket]

I would suggest a humbucker at the bridge and P-90 at the neck.

 

[DrBGood]

I would suggest a humbucker at the bridge and P-90 at the neck.

I could, but I like a P90 far enough from the bridge, like on a CS P90 SG Special.

 

[Joe Fohner]

SG1 with Arcane HP90's. Love 'em. Used Broadbucker to Humbucker pickup rings to mount Pickups. Originally a single p90 pickup. Rerouted for humbucker and added neck pickup.

 

[Tom Dickinson]

Personally, I'd just buy another guitar!

 

[Daz]

Jason Lollar did a 7 part series on this exact conversion on youtube. Looks like a lot of steps but if you have the tools and skills, it shouldn't be too hard.

 

[DrBGood]

Personally, I'd just buy another guitar!

Monetary not a option.

 

[DrBGood]

Jason Lollar did a 7 part series on this exact conversion on youtube. Looks like a lot of steps but if you have the tools and skills, it shouldn't be too hard.

Thanks. Validates the way I'm seeing it.

 

[Decadent Dan]

WD Custom Pickguard For Gibson 2008 SG Classic

WD® Custom Pickguard For Gibson® 2008 SG® ClassicThis replacement pickguard is made to fit the Gibson® SG® Classic produced in 2008. While many manufacturers may make a similar model instrument, this does not mean each pickguard of this type is interchangeable. If the design of your pickguard...

www.wdmusic.com

 

[3bolt79]

Oh, the humanity…