Do it Yourself or Get a Luthier to Install Aftermarket Sound?

[Big-Al]

To the OP . . . it depends on your level of comfort and handiness. I've installed several pickups myself without an issue . . . but then again I fix my own cars, installed my own steam boiler, build my own furniture, and I even cut my own hair.

Lately I've been using a Unibit-type step drill bit to drill through the exterior wood at the endpin and then finishing the drilling of the end block with a standard twist drill. I've also just taped up the area around the endpin hole and drilled right through with a series of increasing diameter twist drills without issue. Alternatively you can saw off the original endpin flush with the guitar. With the hole filled by what's left of the endpin, you can drill through like there wasn't a hole there already. (A brad point bit works best.)

Or you can have someone else do it for you.

Or you could buy a K&K Meridian external microphone system. That's what I've used exclusively for the last few years. It has a completely natural sound and there is no installation required. As a matter of fact, I recently removed and sold the Baggs pickups I had in my guitars. No need for them anymore . . .

 

[D30Man]

I have seen more than a handful of botched endpin drilling efforts that badly marred the guitar. Even some that required a huge washer under the jack to cover up the damage.

The tail block is a very important structural feature in an acoustic guitar. Drilling a larger hole in it is not to be taken lightly.

For the $50 it costs to have a pickup professionally installed, I think it is worth every penny on something as nice as an F-412.

I consider myself "handy", and have the proper tools, but this is a job I will not do.

I agree with Neal 100% on this.

 

[D30Man]

I installed a K&K once but I was fortunate enough to have a luthier guiding my every move. I would never tackle this on my own and like Neal said the cost to have a good luthier do it right is almost negligible.

 

[The Retro Rocker]

This is a no- brainer...you need a good, competent, experienced luthier for a job like that on a guitar as nice as that.