One of the simplest, and most dramatic methods to upgrade your electric guitar, is replacing your pickups. Should you buy some, or not?

This guide is not intended to be an "end-all" or "complete" guide to electric pickups. Just a quick and simple help.

Are you the kind of person that shops at A&F, or that cute little store SO very far across the city? Then you might just want to take your guitar to your favorite shop and have them install the boutique pups of your choice.

Are you the kind of person that works for a living, and shops close to home, maybe even changes your own oil? Then you might just tackle this job yourself.

If you choose to do so, finding some incredible pups here on eBay is just a matter of time. If you are not afraid to buy used, you may be so lucky as to find some right now! Installing them really is not hard, it takes more planning, and time to disassemble/reassemble the guitar than it does to do the job. To install some used pups, all you need is:

A) Multitester B) soldering iron C) pickups D) new set of strings and E) the guts to start the project

A multitester is a great tool to check and make sure the used pickups are not faulty to begin with. Make this a point when you buy used pickups, TEST THEM BEFORE YOU LEAVE FEEDBACK!!!!! You can get one cheap at most home centers, and certainly can here on eBay! Go ahead, and pick up an inexpensive soldering iron (grab a 25 or 30 watt or so), and a little solder while you are at it. Grab a set of pickups off eBay and GET STARTED!

There are plenty of resources available on the web for checking to see if your pickups are in good shape. Same for "HOW-TO" soldering tips. Spend a few minutes and learn what you can about both. Find some wire laying around, and practice tinning the wire tips a few times, and you will have the basics under your belt.

Whatever pickups you choose, most likely the manufacturer has a wiring diagram on their website showing any number of ways to wire that particular pickup. If not, hit some of the big boys (Seymour Duncan, Dimarzio, etc) and find a diagram that matches your configuration.

Jump in and do it! If you have the guts to tackle the project, you will find it to be rewarding, and enjoyable.

The best thing? When you get tired of those pups, or want to try something new, just sell 'em back on eBay, and buy something else!

By that time, YOU'RE A PRO!!!!!