Ok...I have an Aria 12 string acoustic that I'd really like to get back in working order. This thing is probably 30+ years old. My brother got it from a friend about 10 years ago. in a nutshell, it needs 6 new tuning machines (we've used it as a six string for forever). Needs a new nut (I should be able to find this pretty easily). Needs a new saddle and pickup...the old pickup was rotted out. So I got a new pickup for it. Unfortunately, the saddle and the space for the pickup is not as long as traditional acoustic guitars.


As you can see, the pickup and saddle would sit in this metal piece which sits inside the guitar. Unfortunately, the pickup is too long by about a 1/4" or less. Here's another look at it:


The part where the end of the pickup is extending into is where a securing screw goes in which helps secure the saddle piece and as it screws in, it lifts the saddle piece to proper height. Well, the tiny little piece of the pickup is in the way and I'm afraid it'll damage the guitar further if i 'make it work'.

So my first question is, can I cut-off the last 1/8" or 1/4" of the pickup and NOT damage the pickup?

2nd question: You can see a clear, plastic coating around the pickup. Would it be safe to take it off. It is making the pickup take more room than I need it too. If I leave it on, it barely leaves any room for the saddle to fit.

NEXT THING: I'm afraid the tuning machines are going to be very hard to find. We have a great music shop here in town, and they generally have lots of parts. So I'm going to check there if I can. With this being a 12-string, there would be virtually no spacing between each tuning machine.



Any ideas where I can find these things? thanks in advance. I'd love to make this thing back into a 12-string. So I can live w/o the pickup.

Thanks in advance to all replies.

ksg