Is this normal?

[ComicBass]

I have this Squire p bass body (the trust rod in the neck is broken) that I'm going to turn into a project.
I ordered a squire neck on reverb and it should be on the way. My plan is to put the hardware from the broken neck onto the new neck, attach the new neck and BOOM!, new bass to play with.
However, I notice that the half of the pickup closest to the neck is very sloped. One side of it is down to the pickguard level and the other side is up at the height of the other half of the pickup.
Is this by design or is there something wrong?

I plan to use this bass as an ongoing experiment so if I need to replace the pickup that will be ok.

 

[Reedt2000]

The pickups are height adjustable. They usually have bits of foam underneath that keep them pushed up against the heads of the mounting screws. Tighten the screw into the body, that side of the pickup lowers with it, turn the screw out of the body, that side of the pockup raises with it. You probably just need to adjust them. Over time the foam looses its elasticity and won't push up, in which case you simply replace it. Hope that helps, post pics once you get it done

 

[ComicBass]

The pickups are height adjustable. They usually have bits of foam underneath that keep them pushed up against the heads of the mounting screws. Tighten the screw into the body, that side of the pickup lowers with it, turn the screw out of the body, that side of the pockup raises with it. You probably just need to adjust them. Over time the foam looses its elasticity and won't push up, in which case you simply replace it. Hope that helps, post pics once you get it done

Thanks a lot! When I loosen ththe screw on that side it does not raise so I guess I'll take a look under the pickguard...

 

[ComicBass]

Update: I removed the screws that hold on the pickguard, then as i loosened the height adjustment screw on that side of the pickup I'd did rise!
However if I gently push down on it that side does not recover to it's set height. It stays a little lower. So I assume I need to replace that foam that Reedt2000 told me about.
Should i be able to pick that up at my local GC location?

 

[Reedt2000]

Update: I removed the screws that hold on the pickguard, then as i loosened the height adjustment screw on that side of the pickup I'd did rise!
However if I gently push down on it that side does not recover to it's set height. It stays a little lower. So I assume I need to replace that foam that Reedt2000 told me about.
Should i be able to pick that up at my local GC location?

I doubt GC would have it (but you never know...) you can buy it from places like Stewmac.com, but you can also cut any appropriate foam into the right shape and use that.

 

[dwizum]

Once upon a time, EMG's installation instructions advised you to cut a piece of the packing foam that the pickup was packed in for shipping to use behind the pickup (they may still have that instruction, I haven't looked in years). There's no magic to this. It doesn't have to be special foam sold just for holding up guitar pickups. You need something springy enough to push back and retain some pressure, yet soft enough that it will compress as the pickup is screwed in, that's all. I've used pieces cut from disposable foam brushes in a pinch.

You can also just use springs fitted onto the screws before screwing them in. Or even better, springs and foam.

 

[ComicBass]

Once upon a time, EMG's installation instructions advised you to cut a piece of the packing foam that the pickup was packed in for shipping to use behind the pickup (they may still have that instruction, I haven't looked in years). There's no magic to this. It doesn't have to be special foam sold just for holding up guitar pickups. You need something springy enough to push back and retain some pressure, yet soft enough that it will compress as the pickup is screwed in, that's all. I've used pieces cut from disposable foam brushes in a pinch.

You can also just use springs fitted onto the screws before screwing them in. Or even better, springs and foam.

Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely be replacing the foam. I probably have some I could use sitting around somewhere.
After I get the neck and I get it set up (it will be the first time I've done a full set up (slightly nervous)) I may end up replacing other parts just for the learning experience. Pickups, maybe bridge, tuners... who knows. I'm pretty excited about it.

 

[ComicBass]

Definitely the pickguard though!

 

[Reedt2000]

Once upon a time, EMG's installation instructions advised you to cut a piece of the packing foam that the pickup was packed in for shipping to use behind the pickup (they may still have that instruction, I haven't looked in years). There's no magic to this. It doesn't have to be special foam sold just for holding up guitar pickups. You need something springy enough to push back and retain some pressure, yet soft enough that it will compress as the pickup is screwed in, that's all. I've used pieces cut from disposable foam brushes in a pinch.

You can also just use springs fitted onto the screws before screwing them in. Or even better, springs and foam.

Yup, this is 100% correct. I've used the foam that pickups came packed in (including a set of EMGs which instructed you to do that ). The pickups in my recently completed project are held up by pieces of foam cut from insulating wrap you put around your copper water lines

 

[Jeff Hughes]

Sometimes the thread of the pickup screw gets caught up in the plastic of the cover causing some sticking. It might be worth it to examine how cleanly the screw goes through the cover.

 

[Killing Floor]

Foam under the pickup, adjust the screws to raise/lower to your favorite height. You can order foam that says it is for basses and guitars or you can find it at any hardware store. And also the pups can drag against the pick guard if there is a tight fit. Nothing to worry about either way.

 

[Dave Leighton]

You can use foam weather stripping as well.

 

[BAG]

Update: I removed the screws that hold on the pickguard, then as i loosened the height adjustment screw on that side of the pickup I'd did rise!
However if I gently push down on it that side does not recover to it's set height. It stays a little lower. So I assume I need to replace that foam that Reedt2000 told me about.
Should i be able to pick that up at my local GC location?

It's not always the foam that is the issue. I have one bass where the cut of the pickguard isn't quite right so when I try to raise the pickup height it doesn't come up as it's catching on the pickguard. I just loosen the guard to let it rise and then screw it down to the height I want.

 

[ComicBass]

Yup, this is 100% correct. I've used the foam that pickups came packed in (including a set of EMGs which instructed you to do that ). The pickups in my recently completed project are held up by pieces of foam cut from insulating wrap you put around your copper water lines

View attachment 3925719

And what a pretty project it is!

 

[ComicBass]

It's not always the foam that is the issue. I have one bass where the cut of the pickguard isn't quite right so when I try to raise the pickup height it doesn't come up as it's catching on the pickguard. I just loosen the guard to let it rise and then screw it down to the height I want.

I think that may have played a small role, but the foam is definitely worn out on that one side. I'll keep that in mind when I replace the pickguard too, thanks!

 

[wraub]

I have used weather stripping foam and the little foam bits that come with room air conditioners with great results.