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Topic: Pickup mounting on Stratocaster |
Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 20 May 2020 11:40 am |
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| Which is better -- springs or short chunks of surgical tubing over the machine screws? |
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D Schubert
From:
Columbia, MO, USA
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Posted 20 May 2020 2:22 pm
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| Springs are more "original" and I like that sound just fine for Fender pick-guard mounted pickups. If there is any scientific rationale for tubing, it is to very slightly dampen the microphonic tendencies of the pickup. That's what I've been told. |
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Godfrey Arthur
From:
3rd Rock
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Posted 20 May 2020 4:09 pm
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Try them both see what you like...
A Jazzmaster uses foam.
_________________
ShoBud The Pro 1
YES it's my REAL NAME!
Ezekiel 33:7 |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 21 May 2020 6:11 am
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| Thanks for your replies, guys. I'm rebuilding a basketcase generic Asian plywood-bodied Strat copy from the '80s (that isn't worth the manure it'd take to bury it in) as a favor for a friend. It was his first instrument as a kid, and has sentimental value to him (and him only). The original pickups are mounted with springs. He wants a Seymour Duncan Hot Rails humbucker in the bridge position; it was supplied with tubing. I really can't fathom investing an extra nickel in this instrument, so what I've decided to do is use a combo platter of tubing on the Duncan and leave the springs on the other two. |
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Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
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Posted 21 May 2020 7:31 am
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Pre-CBS Strats and Teles used rubber tubing. I believe they changed well after CBS took over.
I generally prefer tubing myself, I think it makes a more secure, non-microphonic mounting. It does tend to dry-rot over time, and a good, strong spring works fie too. But on a cheapie mercy repair, whatever you have handy should work fine. |
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 21 May 2020 11:15 am
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| doesnt matter. whatever holds the pickup is fine. the geeks can tell you what years used what, but if you are just looking to install some pickups in a run of the mill strat....all work fine. |
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Gene Tani
From:
Pac NW
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Posted 22 May 2020 5:10 pm
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Jack, I have a Squier plywood bodied guitar, it actually plays pretty well some of the Korean ones had nice necks but watch out the strap button's going to work itself loose over time.
_________________
- keyless Sonny Jenkins laps stay in tune forever!; Carter PSG
- The secret sauce: polyester sweatpants to buff your picks, cheapo Presonus channel strip for preamp/EQ/compress/limiter, Diet Mountain Dew |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 22 May 2020 8:02 pm
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| Gene Tani wrote: |
| ...watch out the strap button's going to work itself loose over time. |
Indeed! Both the buttons on this one have obviously spent some time in different places on the body. It has a new neck, a new custom pickguard, and all new electronics. All new, correct wood screws. Original body, bridge/trem assembly, backplate, and strap buttons. Just finished putting it together and did a rough initial setup. The laminated body is amazingly lightweight, and it actually sounds and plays pretty good. |
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Ron Pruter
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 24 May 2020 3:25 pm
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Go with springs. I've repaired many guitars and the tubing gets hard, cracks and just will not let you raise the pu's after they are aged, like myself. 
_________________
Emmons SKH Le Grande, '73 Fender P/J bass, Tick tack bass, Regal high strung, USA Nashville 112. |
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