Guitar Whiskey
TDPRI Member
What is the best way to mount the bridge pickup. Do you use springs or the rubber grommets like on a Strat? I know either would work but which sounds better? Anyone ever try a solid spacer so that it mounts rigid?
Bridge pickup attachment to base plate
- Thread starter Guitar Whiskey
- Start date
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I prefer rubber tubing. I've found this from Allparts is a good size for my Tele bridge pickup mounting screws; this from Stewmac is too small for those screws but works great for my smaller Tele neck pickup mounting screws.
When I tried metal springs I sometimes got a sorta clangy echo-y effect on the Tele bridge, so I don't use them any more.
I haven't tried solid spacers, but Don Mare was experimenting with solid metal spacers on Tele bridge pickups and posted about it here, that was probably a couple of years ago or more.
When I tried metal springs I sometimes got a sorta clangy echo-y effect on the Tele bridge, so I don't use them any more.
I haven't tried solid spacers, but Don Mare was experimenting with solid metal spacers on Tele bridge pickups and posted about it here, that was probably a couple of years ago or more.
mellecaster
Former Member
I'm w/ Yegbert, I prefer the Tubing.
Guitar Whiskey
TDPRI Member
Thanks,
I building an Esquire so I guess I'll just try all and see what sounds best. How did they do the originals? I'm thinking that the solid spacer would be interesting. I know some people mount the bridge PU to the body. Is this done with springs similar to the neck style of mounting? I couldn't find any threads on this. What key words would you search?
I building an Esquire so I guess I'll just try all and see what sounds best. How did they do the originals? I'm thinking that the solid spacer would be interesting. I know some people mount the bridge PU to the body. Is this done with springs similar to the neck style of mounting? I couldn't find any threads on this. What key words would you search?
never used springs, I always use tubing... you can get silicone fuel line from you local Hobby Shop. A foot is about a Dollar... take a 6-32 screw to check the size.
Ron Kirn
Ron Kirn
maestrovert
Poster Extraordinaire
i've always preferred pretty stiff springs....i feel they're capable of a bit more downforce and are more solid than tubing...
as Yegbert noted, tubing is quieter though...
as Yegbert noted, tubing is quieter though...
mellecaster
Former Member
Guitar Whiskey
TDPRI Member
Am I seeing this correctly? There is a screw in the body to stabilize and adjust the overall height of the PU and then the 3 PU screws with rubber tubing adjust the tilt or angle of the PU to fine tune the adjustment. So when it is completed the center screw under the body is firm against the bottom of the PU plate.
pickup mounting
I was having the same questions. I mounted the bridge and pickup without springs or anything, and the pickup sort of floats around in there, of course. Sometimes the poles stick to the strings, etc. I had NO idea what to use. The neck pup mounted fine and stays put without tubing or springs thanks to tight holes in the pickguard, but I likely need tubing for that one too since that won't last forever. The screws I got from Fender also seem kind of short. I can move the pickup down to where I barely have clearance for play, but really no further. The rest of the movement range is worthless to me because it'll be right on the strings. So, I'll check out the local hardware store and see what I can find. Thanks a lot guys! This is exactly what I needed to know!
I was having the same questions. I mounted the bridge and pickup without springs or anything, and the pickup sort of floats around in there, of course. Sometimes the poles stick to the strings, etc. I had NO idea what to use. The neck pup mounted fine and stays put without tubing or springs thanks to tight holes in the pickguard, but I likely need tubing for that one too since that won't last forever. The screws I got from Fender also seem kind of short. I can move the pickup down to where I barely have clearance for play, but really no further. The rest of the movement range is worthless to me because it'll be right on the strings. So, I'll check out the local hardware store and see what I can find. Thanks a lot guys! This is exactly what I needed to know!
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Springs will give you a more microphonic sound the rubber tubing doesnt.
Just depends on what you like.
Ive always done all mine with springs cause I want the sorta alive feel it gives you when you can tap on the bridge and hear it loudly thats what I like.
Just depends on what you like.
Ive always done all mine with springs cause I want the sorta alive feel it gives you when you can tap on the bridge and hear it loudly thats what I like.
Better Title: Tubing or Springs; Bridge pup attachment to Bridge Plate
Seems like any time you place a small object made of "music wire" in close proximity to the business end of a guitar, you can expect some kind of sonic result. So, whether it is trem springs, pickup mount springs, or saddle mount springs, some kinda "noiz" is what you will get and you gotta decide if that "noiz" is good (favorable) or bad (unfavorable).
Seems like any time you place a small object made of "music wire" in close proximity to the business end of a guitar, you can expect some kind of sonic result. So, whether it is trem springs, pickup mount springs, or saddle mount springs, some kinda "noiz" is what you will get and you gotta decide if that "noiz" is good (favorable) or bad (unfavorable).
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Using a solid spacer would be a MFer to set the pickup heights right.
Set your height with springs or tubing, pull the bridge w/pickup attached and measure. Then cut solid mounts accordingly. Not that I'm going to try it.
Yup, like I said, a pain. Especially if someone else ends up with it and wants to change, you swap pups, you swap pots, your action changes. Not something I am going to want to incorporate either.
