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'51P parts bass build

Discussion in 'Luthier's Corner' started by magnaton, Jun 16, 2020.

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  1. Jun 16, 2020 #1
    magnaton

    magnaton

    Dec 12, 2013
    New York
    Hey there--

    Doing a 51P-inspired parts bass build and got some seymour duncan antiquities. Do the rubber washers go under the screw heads between the pickup and the screw head, or under the pickup between the body wood and the bottom of the pickup leaving the screw head flush with the casing?

    In other words, left or right?

    Thanks! Just getting rolling on this parts build -- likely more questions to come :)

    Screen Shot 2020-06-16 at 6.00.46 PM.png
     
  2. Jun 16, 2020 #2
    Matt Liebenau

    Matt Liebenau

    Jul 7, 2013
    Ogden, Utah
    How are you mounting the pickup? If the screws are going into the body wood below the pickup then the tubing would go below the pickup between it and the body wood. If you are mounting them to a pickup ring or pickguard then the screw would go through the pickguard, surgical tubing on the screw then screw through the mounting hole in the pickup. Hope that makes sense,

    In either application I would prefer springs to the surgical tubing or, in the case of mounting directly to the body, appropriate foam under the pickup over surgical tubing but that’s a preference and not an absolute.
     
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  3. Jun 16, 2020 #3
    magnaton

    magnaton

    Dec 12, 2013
    New York
    Very helpful, thank you! Mounting to the body. Thought it was that way so tried with the tubing between pickup and the body as you suggested.

    I'm not wildly familiar with 51 pickups (hence the build) and am noticing a ton of rock in the direction from neck to bridge. Is that normal? Is that why you'd recommend foam underneath instead? If so, any specific type or will a good old weather seal work?
     
  4. Jun 16, 2020 #4
    Matt Liebenau

    Matt Liebenau

    Jul 7, 2013
    Ogden, Utah
    That is part of the reason. The surgical tubing seems to deteriorate and become less “springy” over time. Older (probably a different formulation then the new stuff) tubing can even just completely harden up and/or start to crumble. Having said that, foam can deteriorate as well so maybe it’s a moot point.

    Yes, weatherstripping foam can work just fine. The only caveat is that if the pickup is low and you raise it the last roll of foam I bought seems to take a while to expand again. Another thought is old mouse pad foam, even if you have to use a couple of layers to get the right height. StewMac has a cool springs and foam in one thing but I don’t know if they have it in a 51 P single coil size.
     
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  5. Jun 16, 2020 #5
    magnaton

    magnaton

    Dec 12, 2013
    New York
    Makes sense. Thanks again for the assist!