Okay, I'm really frustrated now...

[91xlntS-3]

Okay, I bought a GFS neck p-up from a member here, and a 7k GFS Fatbody Bridge p-up from a different member here. Good prices and fast delivery on both. Neither of them came with springs/screws. Changing out the p-ups on my Affinity Tele.

Doesn't appear that the neck p-up will be a problem However, when I tried to mount the bridge p-up, I found the original Squier mounting screws are larger than the holes in the GFS p-up. Guess I didn't think there would be a difference in mounting hole/screw size.

So, not having a drill/tap set; a trip to the hardware store in order? Or can anyone give me any suggestions?

Also, while putting things away, I noticed the brass plate on the bottom of the bridge p-up is loose and wants to seperate/turn from the bottom of the p-up; is this okay, or is the baseplate supposed to be glued/attached to the bottom of the p-up? This p-up doesn't look like it's ever been used/installed, so I'm wondering why the base plate would be loose?

This is my first attempt at doing this myself, so far, I'm wishing I had taken it to my tech! Just need a little guidance, please...

[2ndstringer]

I often have to go to the hardware store when I change pickups. When I put Toneriders into my tele, the screws that came with the pickups were too long, or the guitar route wasn't deep enough. The shorter screws I found at the local hardware store worked fine, but they were slot head instead of phillips. No big deal.

john

[Goluphi]

Originally Posted by 91xlntS-3

Also, while putting things away, I noticed the brass plate on the bottom of the bridge p-up is loose and wants to seperate/turn from the bottom of the p-up; is this okay, or is the baseplate supposed to be glued/attached to the bottom of the p-up? This p-up doesn't look like it's ever been used/installed, so I'm wondering why the base plate would be loose?

This is something I've run into with a few GFS pickups: the glue that they use to hold them together is...not the greatest. I found that the bridge pickup became microphonic when the glue failed and the baseplate separated from the rest of the pickup.

I noticed that GFS used some sort of glue to hold the pickups together in the first place, so I just dabbed on a bit of my own and closed the pickups back up. I don't know if this is the "right" thing to do, but the pickups work great (and seem to be holding up just fine).

[91xlntS-3]

Quick Update:

Reglued the base plate on the Bridge p-up.

Had a set of mounting screws from my Am. Std. Tele that were just what I needed, and now the bridge p-up is mounted and the bridge assembly is back into the guitar.

Got everything wired up and plugged into an amp. The Bridge p-up is the 7k Fatbody, man this is one HOT p-up if it is only 7k! The neck p-up seems to be a problem, it is the I31 model, and the chrome cover can be removed. I had the neck p-up adjusted as close to the strings as I could, with the bridge p-up adjusted down about half way from the strings and they just do not balance out! The neck p-up sounds week and kind of dull sounding. Not as much as the original Squier p-up, but at least I had a good balance with both the original Squier p-ups.

So, since I have to take the neck p-up out to take off the chrome cover, I'm wondering if I shouldn't replace it with something else? I have the neck p-up from my '04 MIA Tele, but am wondering if the 7k bridge p-up may be too hot for my tastes? Or do I just need a hotter neck p-up? I really like the tone of the Fatbody, just need something to balance better with it.

I bought these p-ups, as they were a real deal ($42 for both). And since I am laid off, thought it would give me something to do (besides dishes and laundry) without my wife being too upset that I spent the money. Guess I'll try using the MIA p-up and see what happens. If this doesn't work, I may have to save my pennies for a Fatbody neck p-up!

Suggestions always welcome...