Floating pickup on Stingray

[Joe Joe]

I recently purchased a used Stingray that is in excellent condition. After a few days of playing it, the intonation sounded really off when I would get up around the 12th fret.
After some playing around (I'm not a big gear-head and I don't know a ton about setup) I found that the pickup was so high up that the E string would actually magnetize to the pickup in the higher register and throw off the sound.

I lowered the pickup using a screwdriver and it sounded perfect.

In the middle of a show, it started again and I realized the pickup had floated back up to the high position and had to make the same adjustment on the fly. I believe it happens because I anchor my thumb on the pickup while playing and the contact makes it rise.

Is there any way that I can 'lock' the pickup down or do I have to stop playing with my thumb on it?

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Rock onward.
Joe

[Dave]

Its possible that the screw for some reason just isnt long enough to get ahold of the wood good enough. Try finding a screw tahts just a bit longer and replace it. Its also possible that the hole is stripped out.

[Nick Ioannucci]

covered above, take the pickup out and check the holes, if any are stripped put some wood glue in and break the tip of a tooth pick off inside the hole, let it dry and then try again.

[sunbeast]

You could also check to see if there is too much foam or springs pushing the pickup back up. you can take out some foam or cut a little bit off of the springs and that should solve your problem (less force being put on the screw to cause it to slip).
Karl

[Groover]

I had the same problem with my SR4, but it was happening on the G side. My bass is a 2003 and has brass threaded inserts where the pup screws in.

I solved the problem with a very tiny bit (and I mean tiny) of blue locktite threadlock and before it completely dried in places, I moved screws a few turns each way so it would not lock in, and now the screw has a tighter feel and no longer comes loose.