| Author | Message | ||
| toma_hawk01
Junior Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 49 Registered: 9-2009 |
Greetings everybody, Are there folks who's pickups get's lose enough to move around in the cavity? Well, this consistently happening when I play my bass. Is there a remedy? I am seriously thinking about retrofitting a poly-urethane thin cushion liner for the flat surface layer of the pickup cavity, with hopes to provide enough flex-ion and protection between the wood and pickup, which I believe would have a more snug fit while providing a great upward force, holding the screws. Anyone have any ideas? What about adding springs on the screws, had anyone tried this method? Peace and Love, Hal- | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1205 Registered: 11-2004 |
They shouldn't move around in the cavity if the top screws are tightened down against those two screws underneath the pickup that set pickup height. Are the two screws on the top of the pickup snugged down against the pickup? I'm assuming you know this, but if you do go to tighten them, don't tighten too hard, you can crack the pickup housing. | ||
| toma_hawk01
Junior Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 50 Registered: 9-2009 |
Exactly... All 4 screws are snug. I use a small micro screw driver that can't "over tighten" the screws. It's like a hand "torque driver" that can go past my comfort level. I never experience this problem before, and I am ultra careful when it comes to these delicate things. Also, I like my pickups low and deep making sure, my string never touch them regardless of the methods I play the strings. I am taking notes on ideas in this brainstorm... Peace and love, Hal- | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 1285 Registered: 11-2004 |
You could try thread locking fluid to ensure the screws are secure, it easily frees off with the slightest turn as it just 'fills' out the thread pitch. Strange that this should happen as mine have never worked loose. Maybe because you have them low that the screws are at the thread limits although with taking one out I think they are threaded all they to the bolt cap. keep us posted on the problem | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1206 Registered: 11-2004 |
Really odd... You're close to Alembic, correct? If it's not something that someone here has a solution for, I'd take it back to Alembic and ask them to figure it out before I started putting springs or neoprene in the pickup cavity. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 6825 Registered: 6-2000 |
Which screws are coming loose - the ones under the pickup mount or the ones above the pickup mount? Are both pickups coming loose? As Toby explained, the way the pickup mounting works is that the screws under the pickup determine the height, and the screws above the pickup provide the clamping pressure. This is the same system we've used ever since we started having 4 screws per pickup, so it should be the same on both of your basses. I'm thinking that if you have the pickups lowered so much, the clamping screws are simply too long. I can mail you a small package with some shorter screws to try. | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 592 Registered: 1-2008 |
Mine have come completely loose a couple of times (always on the Series I). I really beat the crap out of my instrument when I'm playing, so I suspect that has something to do with it. | ||
| toma_hawk01
Member Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 51 Registered: 9-2009 |
Hi Mica, Both pickups gets lose. Although the problems are not immediate after making adjustments to a nice, and snug fit with the screw tensions. However, after playing a few sets of straight 4 hour playing, the pickups starts to wobble... (still in tact, mind you...) but lose enough to stop production. Peace and Love, Hal- | ||
| garth4664
Intermediate Member Username: garth4664 Post Number: 124 Registered: 10-2008 |
Hello Hal - here is a reversible suggestion, and a cheap/non threatning/non asthetic impact one. Get some plumbers thread tape from a hardware store and put a wrap or two on the screws a few mm from the start of the thread. Should add the extra friction/tightness you need and is easily removable. | ||
| toma_hawk01
Member Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 52 Registered: 9-2009 |
Ok, I will be honest with everybody. I would love to see Alembic change their configuration of having the naked pickup up against hard wood cavity held by a static tension, which could chip or damage the pickups. To solve this problem, I applied a gasket... I placed a pair of soft foam pads under my pickups "cut-to-shape-to-fit" and fastened everything as normal. I believe it's better than the original setup, because it's padded, and there's less stress between my lacquer finish and pickups. The solution is nice and snug enough to handle any of my playing vibrations which loosened the screws in the first place. The "gasket" method works nicely, and I believe it should be a standard feature. Peace and Love, Hal- (Message edited by toma_hawk01 on July 15, 2010) | ||
| toma_hawk01
Member Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 53 Registered: 9-2009 |
Garth, That is a great idea I didn't think of. Thanks. But you know, I am really loving the "the gasket" method, because it keeps my pickups from hard wood, and scaring up my nice lacquer finish. I changed both basses to the gasket concept. But, be sure I'll certainly use your idea if mine fails, or I might even use both methods.  Peace and Love, Hal- (Message edited by toma_hawk01 on July 15, 2010) | ||
| tmoney61092
Advanced Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 397 Registered: 9-2008 |
every time i've taken the pickups out of a bass they've had a layer of foam between the pickup and body, helps a lot with the whole not clanging around in the cavity ~Taylor | ||
| toma_hawk01
Member Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 55 Registered: 9-2009 |
Exactly. Last I looked, Series pickups are over a grand, so it just makes sense to try to protect your investment. Maybe, I should open shop and offer pads for free to our members. Better yet, I could show my solution for people "to do for self". Peace and Love, Hal- (Message edited by toma_hawk01 on July 16, 2010) | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1208 Registered: 11-2004 |
Correct me if I'm reading what you're writing incorrectly, but the only reason other basses use some sort of foam padding below the pickup is because there isn't a built in 'stop' like the under-pickup height determining screws Alembic uses. Other types of pickups can be pressed down into the pickup cavity, so a spring or piece of foam is used to keep the pickup relatively stable. If Alembic pickups are properly seated against those bottom screws, why do you need anything underneath? The only way the pickups should touch the bottom of the pickup route is if you're hitting the pickup so hard that the casing is breaking and/or you're actually breaking the height setting screws found underneath the pickups, allowing the pickups to travel down. Hal- it sounds like Mica may have addressed your problem by offering a different length screw, but once the issue is resolved, those pickups shouldn't hit the bottom ever again (unless you lower them all the way down so they're resting against the basses body. BTW: the activator pickups and the jazz/P style Alembic pickups DO move around in the pickup route because they're made with the traditional 1 screw per side construction. It was the one thing about my custom Elan that I didn't consider before hand and that I wasn't entirely crazy about. | ||
| toma_hawk01
Member Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 56 Registered: 9-2009 |
Yes, you are right... The 2 screws (the 2 screws in the inside) does keep the pickups from touching the bottom, for those people who preferably heightens their pickups. However, I like mine "deep down in the pocket, and in the socket. And although my pickups are at the base, I still don't like my pickups resting on only two screws alone... Also, with the pickups being elevated by opposite static forces, is no doubt a very creative idea for pickup height adjustments. But, after experiencing issues, I can clearly understand if any of the screws are lose at the slightest, it trows the balance completely off. Therefore, with the "Gasket" method, as I explained it softens the static pressure and weight on the screws alone and acts as a micro deck, evenly distributing the weight equally and less stress on the screws alone. I seen the damage those two screws done on other Alembics over the years, so I know from my own eyes. In fact, it wouldn't be a bad idea to even use a softer head or something softer than stainless steel. Maybe a screw with rubber head, or a softer nylon. But I still like the gasket method better. I'll be in recording today, and I will note my findings. Thanks, Peace and Love, Hal- (Message edited by toma_hawk01 on July 16, 2010) | ||
| toma_hawk01
Member Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 60 Registered: 9-2009 |
After a 8 hour recording session, the screws loosened again... GOT-DAMN! I am going to thread the screws with plumbers tape as Garth suggested, and also continue using the soft gasket liner. I am pretty sure using the plumbers tape rapped around the threads, will certainly do the trick. Thanks Garth, and everyone for your support. Peace and Love, Hal- (Message edited by toma_hawk01 on July 18, 2010) | ||
| slawie
Advanced Member Username: slawie Post Number: 235 Registered: 8-2002 |
Hal, Try locking the screws in place with a dab of your girlfriends (or maybe your own)nail polish. Keeps the screws from turning while providing enough "letgo" if in future you need to remove the pu's slawie | ||
| toma_hawk01
Member Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 61 Registered: 9-2009 |
Man, chill on this thread on the females... You not suppose to tell the world about my vast multitude girl friends... with my wife reading my postings! Very good advice Slawie, and thank you. However now, you just landed me into more trouble with my Wife.... "See how a little situation could easily snowball..." Just kidding Peace and Love, Hal- (Message edited by toma_hawk01 on July 19, 2010) | ||
| slawie
Advanced Member Username: slawie Post Number: 236 Registered: 8-2002 |
Dear Hals wife, It was a joke as I really have no insight into whether he wears nail polish or not. slawie | ||
| rusty_the_scoob
Junior Username: rusty_the_scoob Post Number: 49 Registered: 6-2008 |
I'd stop by the hardware store and pick up some thread locker rather than nail polish. Loctite Blue should hold the screws in place nicely. Red would be overkill. | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 1286 Registered: 11-2004 |
rusty..I mentioned that earlier in the thread but good job you mentioned the Blue type as I didn't. Since I do quite a lot of car & bike maintenance I use quite a lot of the Red type most of the time so the 'Blue'type didn't enter my thoughts. | ||
| toma_hawk01
Intermediate Member Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 111 Registered: 9-2009 |
HOT DANG! I been daddy long "stroking", poppin, slanging srings, and rippin with the rhythms for 10 hours and experiences no more problems with the lose pickup screws. I used a thin white nylon pipe tape, as suggested, snugly raping the treads around the screws, and "wah-lah", problems solved. I still have pads under my pickups, but the screws are locked down even better for the Alembic Slams! Much appreciated! Peace and Love, Hal- | ||
| garth4664
Intermediate Member Username: garth4664 Post Number: 127 Registered: 10-2008 |
It's magic stuff, glad to hear the tape worked out. Also good to hear you are playing enough to work your pickups loose in a session. I have just moved my series 1 to my flat in Beijing so that I have an alembic in my second home. Was really missing having a series bass around. | ||
| toma_hawk01
Intermediate Member Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 113 Registered: 9-2009 |
Garth, Just don't get "Alembic-wipped!" Instead, "Wip that Alembic" --- Bang bang bang! An inside joke... Peace and Love, Hal- | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 2496 Registered: 3-2004 |
One of my pickups was quite loose. It turned out that one of the anchors for a top screw had pulled out of the body. I opted for the quick fix of reversing the four screws so the top positions became bottoms and vice versa. It's less than ideal when shelling out thousands for a bass, but it works. | ||
| toma_hawk01
Advanced Member Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 243 Registered: 9-2009 |
That's it for me... I don't like the Alembic pickup "torque" pivoting pickups like system. My pickups, now lay completely flat (flush) with a soft cushion underneath the cavity surfaces, thus limiting the pivoting risks of an un-alighted un-balances pickup. Also, I placed a soft washer on the (now) 4 top screws to prevent scaring. 4 screws on the top is better. Peace and Love. Hal- (Message edited by toma_hawk01 on August 30, 2010) | ||
| toma_hawk01
Advanced Member Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 244 Registered: 9-2009 |
Here's my solution... #6-32 Stainless Steel Cap Screw Socket (non-magnetic attractant) with plumbers tape (for that nice snug fit) with #6 Nylon washer (to keep my pickups, scratch free). Each screw, acts as a backup of the other, which the traditional way, there is no backup. This will be my adopted standard... Flat, cushioned and micro managed for The FUNK! End of story   Peace and Love, Hal- (Message edited by toma_hawk01 on August 30, 2010) | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 859 Registered: 11-2003 |
Is there anyone here who can explain to me what THE FUNK is? Thanks in advance, Alan | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1224 Registered: 11-2004 |
Alan, Find a pair of gym shorts at the bottom of the laundry basket.... ;) | ||
| toma_hawk01
Advanced Member Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 245 Registered: 9-2009 |
It means: "I don't have to worry about my pickups popping lose ever again..." Doing something better, with less... Peace and Love, Hal- (Message edited by toma_hawk01 on August 30, 2010) | ||
| serialnumber12
Senior Member Username: serialnumber12 Post Number: 815 Registered: 12-2004 |
for those who dont know what the funk is..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMY-ZPqe1yo | ||
| toma_hawk01
Advanced Member Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 246 Registered: 9-2009 |
#12, I am now confident my bass pickups could handle a FUNK jam like that... Simply because I put a "HEX" on my pickups. Peace and Love, Hal- |
