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is my pickup stuck?

Discussion in 'Hardware, Setup & Repair [BG]' started by squire_pwr, Jul 6, 2003.

  1. Jul 6, 2003 #1
    squire_pwr

    squire_pwr Guest

    Apr 15, 2003
    San Diego, CA.
    Hello all!

    I have a Squier P-bass and have recently been doing some setup tweaks. I adjusted the truss rod and lowered my bridge saddles. I was working on lowering my pickups when I realized one of the screws had a messed up head. Trying to use a phillips screwdriver is utterly useless... I tried using some pliers (the kind that get narrow at the end... needle-nose I think?) but that did close to nothing. I also tried to find replacement screws at the Home Depot, but they don't have screws with the right thread spacing or length (I think it should be a lag screw of #4, ~1.25" long, not sure ab thread). I'm going to check out some local guitar shops for the screws... but any recommendations on how to remove the screw or where to get a replacement (maybe some other hardware store in San Diego?)?

    Also, to clarify... pickup -> string distance should be ~5mm for E/A pickup, ~4mm for D/G? I know I should use my ear, but my amp is so bad, I can't really tell if the sound is distorted or not... it's just all mushy (or maybe I should called it a "warm" sound). :p Thanks for the help!
     
  2. Jul 6, 2003 #2
    eli

    eli Mad showoff 7-stringer and Wish lover Supporting Member

    Dec 12, 1999
    NW suburban Chicago
    If you REALLY run into trouble with that screw head, use the pliers to turn the head so the phillips recess is square to the pickup. Then use a hacksaw to cut a slot in the head, and use a sharp-edged flat blade screwdriver in the new slot. Then take the screw to a hardware store to replace it.
     
  3. Jul 6, 2003 #3
    Trevorus

    Trevorus

    Oct 18, 2002
    Urbana, IL
  4. Jul 6, 2003 #4
    eli

    eli Mad showoff 7-stringer and Wish lover Supporting Member

    Dec 12, 1999
    NW suburban Chicago
    Now, there, y'see? THERE's the beauty of the Internet at work!

    @&$% hacksaw #&^@ grmbl mbl...
     
  5. Jul 6, 2003 #5
    Trevorus

    Trevorus

    Oct 18, 2002
    Urbana, IL
    glad to be of service!
     
  6. Jul 7, 2003 #6
    Gander

    Gander Guest

    Jun 5, 2002
    Texas
  7. Jul 7, 2003 #7
    squire_pwr

    squire_pwr Guest

    Apr 15, 2003
    San Diego, CA.
    sweet. at first, i was hesitant to just buy the screwdriver things, but since i can get the replacement screws as well (at least it looks similar), i just might go for it. I have a feeling i would only use those screwdrivers once though... :meh:
     
  8. Jul 7, 2003 #8
    cobrasneverdie

    cobrasneverdie Guest

    Jun 1, 2003
    moline illinois
    when i bought my dean the idoit who had it didn't put the spings under the pickups and the pickup screws were rusted and such.. but i got it for 90 bucks :D anyway it plays and gets beatin around. i usually take it to church and practice incase it gets ganked or someone dops it. i like to keep my ibanez at home and for some shows outside church.
     
  9. Jul 7, 2003 #9
    Trevorus

    Trevorus

    Oct 18, 2002
    Urbana, IL
    hey, squier power! I'll buy those off of ya when your done... if ya make me a deal..:D
     
  10. Jul 12, 2003 #10
    Razor

    Razor Guest

    Sep 22, 2002
    Dallas
    You play that in church!!:eek:

    Just kidding man...that's cool!
     
  11. Jul 13, 2003 #11
    cobrasneverdie

    cobrasneverdie Guest

    Jun 1, 2003
    moline illinois
    yea youth group. but for anything else church related i play my ibanez edb500. the edb series gets a 10 out of 10 for playabily and to be comfortable