Dimarzio Sds-1 User manual

The SDS-1 pickup is a direct replacement pickup for all standard Stratocasters. However,

you will notice that the SDS-1 is somewhat taller than a standard Strat pickup. On some

Stratocasters in which the pickup holes are shallow, adjustments will be necessary to

allow the pickup to sit properly under the strings. The lead (treble) pickup should provide

no difficulty. The middle and rhythm positions are the ones which may require attention

as described below.

MOUNTING INSTRUCTIONS

If you intend to install the SDS-1 in the rhythm or middle positions, you must first deter-

mine if the pickup will sit safely under the strings, without any of them touching. If the

strings do touch, don’t give up; read on.

First, place the guitar on a flat surface. Loosen the strings enough to remove the pick-

guard. Swing the pickguard aside carefully, without breaking the connections between it

and the jack. Now place the SDS-1 in the guitar, in whichever pickup position on the

body you intend to mount it. This is just for reference: do not connect the pickup yet.

Now, retighten the first and sixth strings. They don’t have to be tuned up to pitch, just

tight enough so they are not flopping. Press down both of these strings at the 21st fret

(the highest note on the guitar). If either of these strings are touching the SDS-1, you

should proceed to one of the following procedures before installing the pickup.

A) Remove enough wood underneath the pickguard to allow the SDS-1 to sit under-

neath the strings.

B) Readjust the neck angle to accomplish the same purpose. Both procedures accom-

plish the same thing. (A) lowers the pickup, while (B) raises the strings.

Procedure A is usually accomplished with the use of a router, or motor-tool. Most good

guitar shops are familiar with this procedure. Do not attempt this job yourself without

some previous experience in the use of the tools needed for the job. In all cases, you

should not have to route into the wood under the pickup to a depth of more than 1/8”.

Removal of this amount of wood should make no noticeable difference in the performance

of the guitar.

Procedure A has the advantage of allowing the pickup to be installed without any adjust-

ment being made to the neck or bridge. Procedure B should be used when it appears

that the extra clearance needed to allow the strings to pass freely over the pickup is ap-

proximately 1/16” (maximum). If you are not sure of the distance, try this: Measure the

distance between the bottom of the pickup hole in the guitar to the first string while hold-

ing the string down at the 21st fret. Remember, the string should have some tension to it.

Now subtract this dimension from one inch. The figure you are left with is the distance

you need to increase the space between the bottom of the pickup hole and the string. If

that distance is about 1/16”, you can follow procedure (B) below:

SDS-1™

Instruction Sheet

1388 Richmond Terrace

Staten Island, NY 10310 USA

Tech Support (718) 816-8112

IMPORTANT: Read this sheet COMPLETELY before installing your

pickup. If you have any questions, you may refer them directly to us.

If you have a Stratocaster with the built-in tilt neck adjustment, adjust the neck to tilt as

shown in the following illustrations:

Once this is accomplished, you must raise the action at the bridge to compensate for the

increased neck angle.

If your guitar does not have the built in adjustment, that is, if your guitar neck is mounted

with four screws fastening to the body, you can adjust the neck angle in the following

manner. Loosen the four screws holding the neck to the body, and insert a small shim at

the rear of the neck, as in illustration.

The shim can be any type of material, and should be thin. It can be positioned between

the two rear screws fastening the neck to the body.

Then tighten the neck back into place. The string height at the bridge will have to be

raised to compensate for the new neck angle.

Unsolder the old pickup (or pickups) you intend to replace with the SDS-1. Take note of

exactly which switch positions the original pickups were soldered to, so the new pickup

will be wired in proper sequence. You can now mount the SDS-1 on your pickguard, and

solder the connections into the circuit. The white wire goes to the switch connection, the

black wire goes to ground. When all soldering is completed, remount the pickguard on

the guitar.

We are sorry to have to make things so complicated. We think you will agree when you

hear the SDS-1, that the effort is worth it.

1388 Richmond Terrace

Staten Island, NY 10310 USA

Tech Support (718) 816-8112