i was getting ready to install a loaded pickguard equipped with emg-dg20 pickups and noticed that replacing the battery will require removal of the entire pickguard.what was emg thinking?so after a little thought,i may extend the wires and route them into the spring cavity on my '08 knopfler stat body so changing the battery will only require removal of the back plate.has anyone attempted this and if so,how did it work out?also,if there is a better way i would appreciate the help.

Hi, I have a lot of different EMG's on my guitars.... in the DG20 set you don't need to take out the whole pickguard, just removal of 3 screws is necessary then you can easily open up that side of the pickguard which is pretty flexible... it's easy to do... Other idea is to route the battery to the back of the guitar, A lot of people do that as well... just make sure it doesn't interfere with the movement of the bridge and springs and stuff One thing I have also seen before is ... some people manage to place the battery inside the jack plate.... so if you find enough space there.. it is an option too... I don't recommend any type of drilling of the wood to make space for the battery since I think it is unnecessary and I WOULDN't do it personally....... so there you go I hope this helps

i had the same set up in a 98 mim deluxe and it was a pain to change the battery so i switched them out for some hot 62ri mij pups they sounded better and kept me from changing batteries just my opinion that normal pups sound better. but if you like the tone of the emgs i would just deal with changing the battery buy taking out the screws on the bottom of the pickguard and gently lift the guard up with the strings still on its kind of a pain but better than taking a chance on losing tone and value on your nice strat buy routing a new hole. and the battery will last a long time if you buy a good one and make sure to unplug the cord when your not playing it

to synkronized&stratohawk,thanks for the insight.i believe i will take your advice and just deal with it.drlling holes on a beautiful strat body doesn't sound like a good idea after all.

Ive done it it doesnt require extra hole drilling if you have another battery cap. Just solder the +&- wires of the new cap onto the +&- original battery wires and tape it up. Pass the wires through the earth wire's hole. You will however lose the trem as a functional tool. The 9v requires a 2 spring gap and results in bad return to pitch through imbalance.

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