Stuck Pickup Pole Piece....no reply in repairs board

r05c03 · #1 09-02-2006, 07:12 AM

I own a G&L L2000. These beauties have humbucker pu's with pole pieces whose heights can be adjusted with an allen wrench. One of the pole pieces on the bridge pu at the G-string position is stuck and some one who owned it before me tried to unstick and stripped the allen socket. I would really like to get this pole loosened up so that I can adjust it and remove it and replace it with a non-stripped pole piece. I think it is stuck because it was really cranked down into its lowest position, not it wont come up (and the allen socket is stripped). Any suggestes on how to loosen this mofo up. Is penetrating oil a no-no? Thanks

Pbassred · #2 09-02-2006, 10:11 AM

I suggest:
1/ PATIENCE!
2/ If the pole piece is rusty use an acid rust cleaner or vinegar then foaming cleaner then alcohol to really clean it out.
3/ use epoxy to glue an allen key into th hole. Leave it fro 24 hours in a war place. Then leave it for anothed 12 because you don't beleve me -no-one does. They "test" the joint to see if its nearly hard yet. Chemical bonds are permanently damaged if you move epoxy before it is fully set - 24 hours got that?
4/ soak the thread in penitrating fluid for 4 hours.
5/ Try it.

Quick method. Drill a deaper hole an use a screw extractor. Probably won't work.

Best method.
Save all of than time and expence and get what you really wanted anyway. A brand new hot pickup

luknfur · #3 09-03-2006, 11:15 AM

FWIW:

I'd contact Davidravenmoon and Phil (Aussie). A "making pups" TB search should turn both of them up. They make pups so may know.

I've had those pups. Personally didn't find pole adjustment to be of any use but I've read several accounts of those who have. I know for a fact some adjustable poles are not designed to be removed and I'm guessing you'd have a slim chance of finding a replacement.

Personally, if it works, I woudn't jack with it.

r05c03 · #4 09-04-2006, 07:13 PM

Thanks for the inputs. At the moment, I am just going to use it as is and not mess with it. It works, I have it dialed in, and I need to just let the pole piece not turning go...

DavidRavenMoon · #5 09-05-2006, 10:43 AM

I find there's usually very little reason to adjust pole pieces, except for making the center ones a little higher. When you raise a pole pice up, even though you are moving it closer to the string, you are moving it away from the magnet/coil... so I think there's always a tradeoff. I always leave them flush with the top.

I wouldn't worry about it. You can balance the tone by adjusting the whole pickup... usually you want to it farther away from the lower strings and closer to the higher ones.