Changing Gibson pickup rings

timmypix

So I'm considering swapping the plastics on my Les Paul from cream to black. Having done this on flat tops before, I was thinking this wouldn't be much of an issue, but by the sounds of it you have to somehow shape the plastics to the curve of the top, whether it's these replacements from AxesRUs or the "official" Gibson part.

Has anyone here done this who could share tips on not cocking it up? Is doing it with a hairdryer risky?

JGTay

Put some sandpaper face up on the curve of the body and carefully sand the shape into the pickup rings. 

JGTay

Make sure to buy the curved rings first..
 https://www.northwestguitars.co.uk/curved-bottom-plastic-humbucker-pickup-surround-ring-for-gibson-epiphone-etc/

SteveRobinson

Here's how to do it:

https://youtu.be/qBusI7wEjOc

timmypix

Thank you both!

timmypix

Edit: double post. 

Funkfingers

The “official Gibson part“ always used to be made by Hughes Plastics (HPI - as embossed on the parts themselves). If you are fussy, only the HPI shade of cream looks right.

Obviously, for black parts, nobody will notice a difference.

For people my age, Gibson LP Standard, Deluxe and Signature models have cream plastics, Customs, Specials and Artisans have black.