Where can I get the rubber Fender uses under pickups?

[dtlofton]

Over the years of swapping pickups, I've tried many different things under the pickups to provide the upward pressure needed to adjust pickup height - but nothing is as nice as the fairly hard rubbery black strips Fender uses under their pickups. Anyone know were that can be purchased - or something that works as well?

[Al Heeley]

Fairly dense foam rubber - either a textile shop selling cloth and stuffing for cushions, etc. normally have a selection of foam for uphostery, but I use cut up strips of Karrimat - you know the foam mattress roll you sleep on when you go camping? A couple of strips of that do the job, its quite firm and remains springy without becoming permanently squashed.

[itzs]

A mouse pad works for me... =)

[SuperDuck]

Originally Posted by itzs

A mouse pad works for me... =)

^ What he said! A mouse pad of the proper thickness works the best.

[Trevorus]

Neoprene foam works great. I personally use this foam I can get at a hardware store. There is some cushion stuff that goes underneath corrugated roofing, and it works PERFECTLY, and it doesn't break down.

[TJBass]

Hey, how about those foam ear plugs you can get at wally world? That might help.

[Trevorus]

Originally Posted by TJBass

Hey, how about those foam ear plugs you can get at wally world? That might help.

Those don't work well. The foam needs to be more springy. Those are like memory foam, and that wouldn't be conducive to pickup height adjustments. You need something that keeps constant tension against the screws.

[dtlofton]

Originally Posted by Trevorus

Neoprene foam works great. I personally use this foam I can get at a hardware store. There is some cushion stuff that goes underneath corrugated roofing, and it works PERFECTLY, and it doesn't break down.

Thanks for the excellent tips everyone. Neoprene foam is just like the stuff Fender uses (maybe it *is* what Fender uses). I'll look into some sources of this stuff.

[Trevorus]

Originally Posted by dtlofton

Thanks for the excellent tips everyone. Neoprene foam is just like the stuff Fender uses (maybe it *is* what Fender uses). I'll look into some sources of this stuff.

McMasterCarr.com... Though they usually want you to order quantity...

[BartmanPDX]

You can also get a roll of the thick foam weatherstripping tape they sell at any hardware store. Just cut off the length to match your pickups.

[dtlofton]

Originally Posted by BartmanPDX

You can also get a roll of the thick foam weatherstripping tape they sell at any hardware store. Just cut off the length to match your pickups.

I've tried weatherstripping before - I don't think it is nearly firm enough. I got the thickest and firmest they had at Home Depot - it was "Weather King" brand I think - it was black (which was much firmer than the white stuff) - but it is still very soft, doesn't offer enough resistance IMO.