Putting a pickup in a 70's vintage guitar

[TommieD]

I have a Yamaha 1977 L-10 in all really beautiful and original condition.

I love the tone am considering putting a LR baggs Lyric pickup in it to play live and really capture the tone.

I'd appreciate some advice as to if it's a rookie mistake to alter a valuable all original vintage guitar as such?

Is there any real structural changed to install a lyric?
Or structurally is it just changing out the end pin for the jack?

Thanks in advance!

[DenverSteve]

There's no structural change needed to install any pick up that I'm aware of.

[Kip Carter]

The Lyric is a wonderful pickup but you may want to consider a K&K True Mini or the preamp version of the same.

In either case no mods needed except for the end pin replacement to accommodate the jack

[akafloyd]

The Lyric only requires the endpin to be reamed. The rest of the parts are stuck on with double sided tape. The only other permanent alteration of a guitar for a pickup, that I can think of, would be the hole in the saddle slot for a UST.

[Fire&Rain]

Originally Posted by akafloyd

The Lyric only requires the endpin to be reamed. The rest of the parts are stuck on with double sided tape. The only other permanent alteration of a guitar for a pickup, that I can think of, would be the hole in the saddle slot for a UST.

This is correct, although I would argue reaming the endpin hole is a permanent alteration as well. Whether it will add or detract from the value of your guitar really depends on the next owner. If you want it, do it!