Strange problem with dimarzio model-j pickup height

thugler · #1 03-16-2010, 04:32 PM

Right, i've just installed some model j's and am very confused as to why I'm having so much trouble getting them to a decent height.

I've tried reducing the foam, and again to almost nothing and it's still too high, way too close the strings on both the bridge and the neck pup's. I'm not sure if it's the screws not getting through properly or what. Someone said maybe the screws are too long, but this seems unlikely seeing as they came with the pickups.

I've installed pickups before and never had any problems like this.

Any ideas?

I've had the strings off for a couple of days awaiting me installing the new pups, would that have any effect?

I've checked the bridge and the saddle heights etc. doesn't seem to be a problem there.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

fenderfunker · #2 03-16-2010, 04:41 PM

I have a Dimarzio J on my PJ bass. I've had this pickup on three Fender basses now. When it was originally installed by a luthier, I could never get it to go lower. I think they must be a deeper pickup than the originals. My remedy has been to rout out the cavity approx 1/4". Be very careful though. This has worked well on all three basses. Good luck.

thugler · #3 03-16-2010, 04:44 PM

I'm not too pleased to have to be considering routing my bass when I bought a pickup designed specifically for it. (american standard jazz)

Does anyone have any other ideas? This is driving me mad since I can't understand where the problem lies!

**Jim Roseberry** · #4 03-16-2010, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thugler

I'm not too pleased to have to be considering routing my bass when I bought a pickup designed specifically for it. (american standard jazz)

Does anyone have any other ideas? This is driving me mad since I can't understand where the problem lies!

Those pickups are taller than the stock pups.

thugler · #5 03-16-2010, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Roseberry

Those pickups are taller than the stock pups.

Yes I'm well aware of that, but the reduction in foam is supposed to make up for that according to the instructions. Only it doesn't. So I'm not happy at them being advertised as a replacement for my old pickups when apparently I have to route my bass to get them to fit.

I just don't understand why I'm having problems and I've not seen this problem mentioned anywhere before?

fenderfunker · #6 03-16-2010, 05:07 PM

You have a choice. Either do the routing, or use different pickups. Your happiness is something I can't advise you on.

Rick Auricchio · #7 03-16-2010, 05:16 PM

Without foam or screws, try fitting the pups. Do they go low enough? If not, you must rout deeper. If they're OK, then you still have too much foam.

thugler · #8 03-16-2010, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderfunker

You have a choice. Either do the routing, or use different pickups. Your happiness is something I can't advise you on.

Why have others seemingly not had to do this though?

It doesn't make any sense to me that I've not seen any mention of this before.

thugler · #9 03-16-2010, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Auricchio

Without foam or screws, try fitting the pups. Do they go low enough? If not, you must rout deeper. If they're OK, then you still have too much foam.

Thanks this is very helpful. With no foam at all they are fine, so I just need an incredibly thin piece of foam I guess.

Thanks for all the quick replies, I apologise for being a bit crazed, I was pretty frustrated!

fenderfunker · #10 03-16-2010, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thugler

Why have others seemingly not had to do this though?

It doesn't make any sense to me that I've not seen any mention of this before.

I am an "Others", and I had to rout my bass.

gidbass · #11 03-16-2010, 05:23 PM

I fit them into my Squier 70's vm with a piece of mouse pad for the foam and no routing. I did have to tighten down the screws as much as i could to get them as low as i wanted, but I didn't have the problems you are describing.

The pickups are taller than my stock ones.

I know that doesn't help you much, but i thought i would share my experience.

Good Luck!

funkmangriff · #12 03-16-2010, 05:32 PM

i had to untwist the wires coming off the pick ups and carefully run them tight along the cavity of the bass. im not sure if thats any help :S

thugler · #13 03-16-2010, 06:04 PM

After fiddling with the wires, shaving off an incredibly tiny piece of foam, and using the smaller old screws from the stock pup's I seem to have solved the problem.

Cheers for the advice/comments all!

I'm slightly annoyed at dimarzio, their instructions called for a smaller piece of foam than previous, which they give measurements for, which turn out to be bigger than the previous foam. Just tested that they worked with completely untuned strings, and they sound excellent, so I'm very pleased on that front at least.

Rick Auricchio · #14 03-16-2010, 08:01 PM

The diMarzio folks are assuming a certain routed depth for the pup, which is a bit silly. There could be wide variations, as you found out.

When I put the Model Js in my Warwick Corvette, I had to remove Warwick's springs and use foam. The springs were just too tall, even when fully compressed. Since Warwick uses machine screws to mount the pups, I simply reused them.

If they stacked the dual coils, that would explain the extra pup height.

hdracer · #15 03-16-2010, 08:10 PM

Before I routed the body, I would shim the neck up and raise the saddles.
BTW I just installed a set of Area J's in my Aerodyne Jazz and had no problems, and that's a thin body.

doktorfeelgood · #16 03-16-2010, 08:44 PM

I have Model J's in both of my Jazz basses and I couldn't be happier. They are truly awesome pickups. I had to shave the foam to about half of it's stock thickness and have had zero problems. I would advise against using a piece of mouse pad.
I tried it and it was good for about a week then the foam cells broke down and flattened out to not have any memory so that when backing off the height adjustment screw, the pickup wouldn't raise up. Now maybe somebody else hasn't had that problem when using a piece of mouse pad, but I definitely had a problem with it. )-(

shrigg · #17 10-17-2010, 12:36 PM

In my 80's Squier Jazz I removed the factory foam and used strat-style pickup springs. Now I have a good range of adjustability.

Can anyone share their optimal pickup height from the polepieces to the strings while fretting at the 21st (or highest) fret? I've read 1/8" in some setup guides, but I believe that was for standard Jazz pickups

SGD Lutherie · #18 10-17-2010, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Auricchio

The diMarzio folks are assuming a certain routed depth for the pup, which is a bit silly. There could be wide variations, as you found out.

You have to consider that those pickups were introduced in 1979. In 1979 there was not so many variations in Jazz basses like there are today.

The real issue is Fender does not keep their specs the same between models. Case in point is the MIM Jazz pickups.

They don't care if aftermarket pickups fit.

This is a real PITA for pickups makers that want to stuff something different into existing form factors.

SGD Lutherie · #19 10-17-2010, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shrigg

Can anyone share their optimal pickup height from the polepieces to the strings while fretting at the 21st (or highest) fret? I've read 1/8" in some setup guides, but I believe that was for standard Jazz pickups

You want to get the pickup fairly close on the treble side, and a little farther on the bass side. Unlike pickups with alnico poles, the Model J wont pull your strings out of tune.

You should also keep the poles fairly flush with the top of the pickup. Moving the pickup closer is better than raising the poles. Raising the poles and lowering the pickup is useful for getting a thinner tone.

You may also want the neck pickup a little lower if it's louder than the bridge.

I press the strings down at the last fret and then adjust the pickup height.