Pickup damage?

Hendrix89

Recently I was trying to level out the slightly forward slanting pickups (not the lengthways slant, I know that's normal) on my new '69 Custom Shop Strat by stupidly pushing down and putting pressure on the angled side while simultaneously tightening the adjustment screws to raise the pickups.

Now I'm not sure if this was like this before, but I am noticing resistance when trying to turn (tighten) the treble side screws further. If I turn them to a point the screws spring back slightly. I also hear faint squeak/creak sounds when adjusting them. The treble sides of the pickups are already quite high as they are so I don't know if that has something to do with it. However on one of them (the middle pickup) the screw resists even when lowering the pickup. This problem does not exist with the bass side of the pickups although the strange sound is apparent on the neck pickup (bass side).

I know these pickups are held in some way by surgical tubing (accurate to the era) so I'm worried they are what are causing the squeak sounds and I may have messed them up.

I appreciate any advice. Thanks.

Voodu Child

The tube shims can split if overtightened, or sometimes just turn into a blob of goo with no springiness.

Just take off the scratchplate and you'll be able to see if everthing is aok.

Hendrix89

Right thanks. I never removed a scratchplate before so I hope I don't mess it up.

Voodu Child

Hendrix89 wrote: »

Right thanks. I never removed a scratchplate before so I hope I don't mess it up.

Its only a Strat, not rocket surgery :pac:

It'll be wired to the guitar, just don't rip those wires and you'll be grand.

lavasoft

I presume you are after a hendrix tone (by your username) I do and always have reversed my pickups in any strat I've had, it will give you lots more mids and less top and bottom, so if your taking off scratch plate anyway its worth a try:cool:

Hendrix89

lavasoft, that's interesting, thanks for the tip. Would simply lowering the treble side and raising the bass have the same effect though?

I don't think I'm going to be taking off the scratchplate as I am too worried about causing damage or misplacing something. I'm very good at doing that, hence this thread..

I'm considering taking it to Derek Nelson for him to have a look at it.

Btw I don't believe I ever over-tightened any of the screws as I never had the pickups very high.

Do you think pushing down on the pickups could actually cause damage to the fixing (tubing)? I remember putting a lot of pressure on them but I could clearly see that they were not moving down too much at all. So is it possible or are pickups fixings quite sturdy?

Voodu Child

Hendrix89 wrote: »

I don't think I'm going to be taking off the scratchplate as I am too worried about causing damage or misplacing something. I'm very good at doing that, hence this thread..

I'm considering taking it to Derek Nelson for him to have a look at it.

Its only a scratchplate. If you know how to use a screwdriver you're qualified to remove it.

Remove all the outside screws and the scratchplate just lifts off, with all the pickups and knobs still attached. It'll still be wired to the guitar (to the jack socket and trem claw), but if you lift it off carefully there'll be plenty of slack to turn it over to work on it.

Do you think pushing down on the pickups could actually cause damage to the fixing (tubing)?

Just have a look and you'll know for sure.

Hendrix89

Oh I didn't think it was that straightforward. I heard/read the tone and volume pots needed to be removed. I guess not then. I'll give it a go tomorrow when I get new strings. Thanks.

Hendrix89

Just rang up Fender (UK support) there and explained the possible issue. The person I was talking to said the screw resistance and the noise is normal. He also said as long as they are adjusting they are fine.

I would prefer to talke to someone involved with the Fender Custom Shop though so I can be sure of the info. Does anyone know if it's possible to talk directly to that department at all? I can't seem to find a number anywhere.