PeeJayEU Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 hey guys, several months ago, i purchased some basslines pickups and installed them (along with a new finish, bridge, etc.). the bass plays fine, but i'm sure the pickups aren't installed correctly. They are flat with the pickguard. They aren't raised towards the strings and don't spring if they are pressed. I know i did something wrong even though they work. i imagine fixing this would help the bass sound better. any advice? do i need to be clearer? Gotta have that funk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeronyne Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 Do you have the foam under the pickup? What kind of bass is it, and what kind of pickups (split P, Jazz, Soapbar, MM, etc)? "For instance" is not proof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Red 67 Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 The screws should have springs or foam to keep the pup at the top of the adjustment. I have used the little springs that are in a ball point that clicks in and out. You can get springs at a hardware store too. Big Red's Ride Blog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeeJayEU Posted May 25, 2006 Author Share Posted May 25, 2006 i def. threw that foam away when i got the pickups...thought they were for packaging purposes lol....i can probably jimmy something up though... Gotta have that funk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeronyne Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 No need to jimmy anything: http://guitarpartsresource.com/bpickup_foam.htm "For instance" is not proof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke73 Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 Go to www.stewmac.com Actually, go here http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Pickups:_Parts/Humbucker_Pickup_Height_Springs.html They have pickup height springs, and they're very cheap. You simply put a spring on each of the screws before you install it into the bass. I prefer springs to the foam, I feel you can get a finer, more consistent adjustment with them. Once installed, you should set the pickup height correctly on your bass. Depending on your bass this height will differ, but on my Corvette with Jazz style pickups I have the pickup height set at 5/32" from the top of the pickup to the bottom of the string for the neck pickup, and 4/32" for the bridge pickup. The pickup height is quite important. Too low, and you'll have low output from your pickups, too high, and the magnetic field of the pickups will affect sustain and intonation. There is a sweet spot where you'll get good output, and a nice full rich tone without affecting sustain. Good luck. http://www.myspace.com/twoshortrocks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcr Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 Yeah, the foam under my pickups is something I cut out of something that was never intended to go under a pickup. That's because the original foam compressed & no longer pushed the pickups up very much when I turned the screws out. So look around for something that isn't too dense--it has to give when you screw the pickups down--but not to flimsy, either. My Music Man has a spring-loaded pickup, and that works MUCH better. Oh well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeeJayEU Posted May 25, 2006 Author Share Posted May 25, 2006 well i just cut a few pieces from an old egg crate mattress pad thing...put that in there and it sounds loads better...perhaps a good replacement until i find good springs?? Gotta have that funk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David King Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 I've gone back and forth between springs and foam over the years and have settled on heavy duty black rubber automobile weather-stripping foam. It's the really heavy stuff that takes about 25 years to break down. It took me a long time to find the right stuff that stays springy and never gets compressed. It's not cheap. I find that the springs are a pain to keep in place while you are putting the pickup in and they are too easy to loose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky McDougall Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 You may also buy the door weatherstrip for homes at Home Depot or Lowes. There are many different sizes. I think 3/4" is the one I use. I prefer the spings but they can be a real hassle to get in place. The Fender strat uses medical tubing. I have never used it on a base but it should work just fine. "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb, voting on what to eat for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb, contesting the vote." Benjamin Franklin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke73 Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 C'mon guys, hard to keep in place? It's not that tough...really. http://www.myspace.com/twoshortrocks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wraub Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 Originally posted by dcr: ...the original foam compressed & no longer pushed the pickups up very much when I turned the screws out. I am having this same problem at the moment on my jazz bass. It is bearable for now in that I have found a good placement, but I know I'll need to "refoam" soon. That Fender brand weatherstrip (in the link 09 posted) is interesting, hilarious, and expensive. I think I'll go to the hardware store... Peace, wraub I'm a lot more like I am now than I was when I got here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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