Jazz Bass pickups won't raise high enough...

[Sgtthump]

That rubber pad underneath needs to be a bit taller, so it pushes the pickups up a little more when I loosen the screws.

I assume the best "fix" for this is to put something else in the pickup cavity to push the pickup higher. I was thinking about cutting up some cardboard and going that route. Are there other materials that work better?

I have no idea if this could affect the tone of the bass. My guess is that it wouldn't be enough to notice a change, but you never know.

Anyway, what did you guys use?

[Relic]

The best bet would be to find some more foam. Even packing foam can work in a pinch. Cardboard could potentially work if you used it underneath the existing foam to sort of boost it up, but would be a pain if you ever needed to re-lower the p/up's. I wouldn't recommend it.
If you really want to get creative, small springs on all 4 screws would work like a charm. Sometimes you can get away with ball-point pen screws etc

[John Wentzien]

I use rubber weather stripping
It has adhesive on one side so it sticks in place.
You can get it at the hardware store in different sizes.

[Sgtthump]

Thanks guys. I thought about the weather stripping and that's probably the best bet. But I just took it apart and went with some strips cut off an old arm sweatband. That seems to work!

[ga_edwards]

I use strips cut out of a thick-ish foam mousemat. Works wonders.

[Relic]

that's what I love about Fenders. You can McGyver the heck out of 'em and they just keep on going.

[Sgtthump]

Originally Posted by ga_edwards

I use strips cut out of a thick-ish foam mousemat. Works wonders.

That is a GREAT idea.

[stflbn]

I've used mousepad slices on several modded P-basses

[Jefenator]

The cut-up sweatband will give you a more '70s tone, which is cool if that's what you're aiming for but for the real old-school you gotta use nitro foam.

You know I'm just ing wit'cha.



I had some foam on a vintage Music Man (bridge mutes, preamp cradle) that had gone brittle - in fact it was rock solid. Like to know what that stuff was so I can avoid it.