Raising pickup height

Don1

Just got my Ibanez RGT-42 back with Seymore Duncan Screamin Demon and Jazz humbuckers fitted. (absolutely in love with the noise!! )
Thing is they are set very low in the body and I wouldn't mind raising em up a tad. I know how to do this (not rocket science afterall) but the travel is very limited. With the bridge pickup raised to the max it's still way off where I'd like it. The neck pickup sits higher and is much louder (I have it lowered way down to balance the volumes) I nearly destroyed the philips head trying to raise the Bridge pickup more.
Short version of the question: is it easy to change these screws for longer ones? :rolleyes:

feylya

Are the pickups direct mounted? And use a correct size screw driver for the job!

Voodu Child

If the pickups are direct mounted, you can use a longer screw to raise the height, but if you go too high you'll need longer springs and/or pickup shims to keep the pickup stable.

If the pickups are mounted from above (on pickup rings), at their maximum height, they should be sticking waay up in the air (with the bottom of the pickup nearly level with the top of the pickup ring). A longer screw wouldnt make a difference here at all, all turning the screw does is move the mounting lugs up or down in relation to the pickup ring. The only thing to check for here is if there's a strong spring or shim along the screw, preventing the pickup from coming up any higher.

Don1

They are on the same way as any RG would be. I wasn't using the right screwdriver, hence the damage I did.
I think from the sounds of what you are saying longer screws would work.


This is what mine was like. Now the pickups are barely above the surrounds. If that helps?

Voodu Child

No, the pickups are mounted from above (ie on pickup rings) so a longer screw wouldn't make any difference at all. Because they're mounted from above, they'll go to their full height with the shortest screw possible.

The pickups should go right up til they're sticking way in the air, there shouldn't be any problem tbh. If they don't, somethings stuck or in the way (could be a shim or strong spring). Just unscrew the four corner screws and pop the whole thing out (careful not to rip the wires) and see what the problem is.

Don1

Kewl cheers man. Won't be around to do that for a while. I'll see what happens when I get to it, and will shout back what the pickups are like at a higher setting. I'm thinkin swweeeet!!!