Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Scott aka Farmer Ted on August 24, 2013 at 4:44am

Once you figure, measure, and cut out the holes for the pickup, and the screw holes (remember, measure twice, cut once), the screws install from the top of soundboard/top of box and down through to the inside. The springs go on the screws underneath, then thread the screws into the bottom pickup plate. As you continue threading each screw (try to do a little at a time for each to keep as flat/even as possible), the springs compress between the pickup's bottom plate and the underside of the soundboard/box top. As the body of the pickup (the part with the magnets, top bobbin, and copper coil) rises and emerges through the box top, you are then able to stop & complete the rest of guitar assembly, including stringing it up. Then you can adjust the height of the pickup to an appropriate distance from bottom of your strings.

Note: too close to strings, and the magnets will slow down the vibration, thus reducing the sustain, or how long notes will ring. Too far from strings, and the amount of signal from strings, through pickup, and ultimately to the amplifier will be lowered.

A good starting point is about 3/16" to 1/4" from strings.

Permalink Reply by Suspect Device on August 24, 2013 at 4:54am

Very good explanation, Farmer Ted. A pickup mounting ring is also helpful- not just for the mounting of the pup, but for use as a template when cutting the profile of the cavity for the pup and drilling the holes in the correct spots. Also, if it's not a humbucker, be sure to shield your pots & pup with copper tape or shielding paint.

Permalink Reply by Jim Olean (JimO) on August 24, 2013 at 5:48am

thanks.  Shielding.  I will probably have more Q's as I progress.

Permalink Reply by Dave Lynas on August 24, 2013 at 6:00am

I think you got good advise here. There are times that i don't use the springs in a case where there is no room for them and a permanent height choice is made at instalation time. It's nice to have the adjustable pickup however. Then you can get it just right once the strings are on and you can hear the result of raising and lowering the pickup.

Permalink Reply by Jim Olean (JimO) on August 24, 2013 at 6:34am

Thanks for the input.  Maybe you can also save me some research time.  Do I now need a tone control and capacitor?

Permalink Reply by Suspect Device on August 24, 2013 at 7:00am

It is sometimes nice to have a tone control, but you don't need it.

Permalink Reply by Dave Lynas on August 24, 2013 at 2:05pm

Permalink Reply by Dave Lynas on August 24, 2013 at 2:06pm