Pickup foam?

Wayne8 · #1 01-28-2009, 10:39 PM

I just finished my first ever pickup install. I put a set of Model Js in my Jazz. Went okay and sounds great but I have a question. Dimarzio says to cut a piece of the foam that comes with the pickups to put underneath and not to use the existing foam because their pickups are taller than normal and there's less room for the foam. Okay, I did that. My question is, should I be able to push down on the pickup and feel it move? I rest my thumb on the pickup most of the time and I never noticed my old pickup moving when I did that. Maybe I need to put more foam underneath?

NJL · #2 01-28-2009, 10:44 PM

I have used brand new sponge (for doing the dishes) before.. works good in a bind..

just an idea..

Zombbg4 · #3 01-28-2009, 10:48 PM

It's normal for a pickup to move around, and actually good so you can adjust the pup height. I'm guessing that the foam under your old pups was a bitter older and more stiff.

tonynoriega · #4 01-29-2009, 06:00 AM

Since I very rarely adjust a pickup's height once it's where I want it, I use a foam with more density than the spongy stuff. I've found that yoga matting that's about 1/8" thick works the best.....there's a litte give, but not much. On one of my basses I had to use two thicknesses to get the desired height.

danomite64 · #5 01-29-2009, 06:16 AM

I prefer to use springs as foam decays over time, making a mess.

I didn't route that Jazz cavity, BTW. Or maybe I should say hack that cavity. Anyway, I'm probably changing it out to put a MM pickup in it.

halloweenfiend · #6 01-29-2009, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danomite64

I prefer to use springs as foam decays over time, making a mess.

I didn't route that Jazz cavity, BTW. Or maybe I should say hack that cavity. Anyway, I'm probably changing it out to put a MM pickup in it.

May I ask you where u get those kinda springs from? I am currently unsatisfied with traditional foam support. Thanks!

4Mal · #7 01-29-2009, 09:22 AM

under the right circumstances, springs can get noisy. Some of the G&L guys replace their springs with foam. On suspended pickups like humbuckers, mini humbuckers, Tele neck pickups, etc I generally replace the typical springs with surgical tubing.

Personally I use a combination of 1/8th inch non-stick weather strip and approx 1/4 inch mouse pad. None of that has degraded for me. I think the quality of the foam varies ...

Pilgrim · #8 01-29-2009, 09:23 AM

Most Guitar Centers carry springs, IIRC.

Wayne8 · #9 01-29-2009, 10:48 AM

I'm pretty sure I don't room for springs. I think I'm going to put a little thicker foam in, it may be alright it they move a little but this feels like a lot. Like it moves way too easy.

johnabasstool · #10 01-29-2009, 11:15 AM

I use self adhesive foam stickers designedfor putting on the feet of furniture to stop them marking the floor - they cost me £1 at my DIY store. They are perfect IMO, and as well as coming in precut shapes they also have a sheet which can be cut to size. Density is perfect too, don't have much give - but just enough.

Wayne8 · #11 01-29-2009, 12:35 PM

Well, as it turns out, Model J's aren't any taller than my stock pups so I just used the old foam. Much better. These things sure do sound good.

gonzorob · #12 01-29-2009, 01:45 PM

FWIW I work in computers and have access to a million and one mousepads.

They are easy to cut and last forever. I've used them a bunch of times underneath bass pickups.

Jamie_Funk · #13 01-29-2009, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonzorob

FWIW I work in computers and have access to a million and one mousepads.

They are easy to cut and last forever. I've used them a bunch of times underneath bass pickups.

Mousepad is the best pickup support I have ever used - I have mine so that it is adjustable but feels almost as solid as if the pickup were directly mounted on the body.

J

Woodell · #14 01-31-2009, 02:37 PM

I just replaced my foam with spring clips used in aluminum picture framing. They have a range of completely flat to about 3/4", retain their "springativity", and can be had for cheap. It only takes one for each pickup and you can cut them in half for P-Bass style cavities. Just remove the old foam and drop one of these in each cavity.

Back when I was doing framing, I always had extras that I threw away when I put together small frames. You can probably get a couple for free at a local frame shop for the asking.