Direct mounted pickups question

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WingerManiac

New member
Hi guys, I´m new to this forum but have been reading a lot! Seems to be a great place to talk about guitars and tone!

Anyway, I have a question about direct mounting pickups. I´m currently building my first self build warmoth/musikraft project and it´s routed for 2 humbuckers. I would like to mount the pickups without rings, just because all my other pickups are spring mounted and I want to try something else. I know theres a lot of contrary talk wether this effects the tone of the guitar or not, so I figuered this would be a good opportunity to make up my own mind.

My question is, what´s the best way to mount them directly? I looked for information on this but couldn´t find all answeres I need. For example, what kind of screws do you use to mount it? They have to be wood screws to go into the body but on the other hand then they won´t go through the threads of the pickup!?

Furthermore, I know a lot of people use foam under the pickup to height adjust it. Wouldn´t it be better for tone if you mount them on wood raisers directly? Of course this would make height adjustment difficult.
I´m really glad for all ideas on how to mount pickups directly the best way and which screws to use! Thanks guys!!!
 
Re: Direct mounted pickups question

I highly recommend getting small enough screws so that you don't screw up the screw holes when screwing them in, otherwise you get screwed on the resell :)

Foam-wise what I like is the rubber tube fragments often used for Strat pickups. Note that you do not have to cut them to the correct length.
 
Re: Direct mounted pickups question

Hey uOpt, thanks for your help! I thought about getting very small screws too but every time I look at a guitar that has direct mounted pickups they seem quite big... But I definetly give that a try.
 
Re: Direct mounted pickups question

If the routes are shallow enough, you can mount direct to wood without the use of foam inserts.
 
Re: Direct mounted pickups question

WingerManiac said:
Hey kramersteen, body is alder !
Click to expand...

Cool, i only ask because i am almost finished a build with paulownia atm and its impossible to get a screw to hold in the soft wood.

So my options are either i get some of these http://www.thewoodworks.com.au/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=4185&category_id=266&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=91&manufacturer_id=&vmcchk=1&Itemid=91

Foam

or

I might get some of these if i think they will look ok.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/111222834530?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
 
Re: Direct mounted pickups question

I'd use some wood screws. Drill pilot holes first. Floyd Rose nut mounting screws are real thin and long. If you need more height use some small washers to jack it up. I wouldn't put foam under there that will only absorb vibration and you want vibration to flow which is why you are direct mounting.
 
Re: Direct mounted pickups question

Wow interesting stuff Kramersteen! Those brass inserts look like a good idea to me, but I still don´t know what size of screws to use.
 
Re: Direct mounted pickups question

Thanks AlwaysSD, very good idea indeed! I find it strange that there is no general way to do that because so many manufacturers do it (Jackson, Ibanez, EVH, ESP).
 
Re: Direct mounted pickups question

WingerManiac said:
Hey uOpt, thanks for your help! I thought about getting very small screws too but every time I look at a guitar that has direct mounted pickups they seem quite big... But I definetly give that a try.
Click to expand...

Yes, other people have no scruples screwing up their pickups. As long as you don't sell them hiding the fact that's a perfectly fine option.

Inserts are used for some P90 mounts. However, the actual mounts used there use screws that will require widening the pickup leg hole.
 
Re: Direct mounted pickups question

I have owned a number of guitars with direct mounted pickups.
Best way I have yet seen is how Grover Jackson had it done on my Washburn USA's. They use a specific type of thick dense foam hand cut to the pickup bass plate drill the tabs then press brass inserts into the wood and use machine screws and rubber tubes to adjust the pickups.
Here is a NOS Washburn USA body I have and a close up of the routs for the system.

Here is one of these mid 90's Washburn USA MG's in a front view assembled.
 
Re: Direct mounted pickups question

Thanks for your help guys! I will try to use small wood screws. I don´t want to mess up the holes of the pickup. If that doesn´t work, I will just mount it with a regular ring and springs.
BTW, has anybody of you guys noticed a real difference in tone by mounting the pickups directly?
 
Re: Direct mounted pickups question

youngthrasher9 said:
If it were me I'd have someone machine copies of these:
http://www.fu-tone.com/catalog/inde...ducts_id=261&zenid=esmq2kq8bujh6vtdup5unqh0p1

That way you don't have to risk messing up the wood or the pickup. I'd put springs on that plate that way you can adjust just like a ring mounted pickup.
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Holy crap!! Honestly i was working out what would work last night and i ended up making something identical to that but with plastic. I did wonder if anyone had designed it before because its a great idea.
 
Re: Direct mounted pickups question

kramersteen said:
Holy crap!! Honestly i was working out what would work last night and i ended up making something identical to that but with plastic. I did wonder if anyone had designed it before because its a great idea.
Click to expand...

Yeah the only problem is they are marketing them like they improve tone and are charging $50 a piece. I can't imagine them affecting the tone much, and they really don't need to be made of bell brass, IMO.
 
Re: Direct mounted pickups question

youngthrasher9 said:
Yeah the only problem is they are marketing them like they improve tone and are charging $50 a piece. I can't imagine them affecting the tone much, and they really don't need to be made of bell brass, IMO.
Click to expand...

the ones i made are flat so the screws go into the timber as well. I honestly i have never thought about direct mounting a pickup to get better tone its always for me about the look of no trim ring.

Honestly tho i only needed to make something like that because the paulownia wood was so soft ans the screws kept pulling out. Most other woods i haven't had an issue.
 
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Re: Direct mounted pickups question

I know this brass mounting system and thought about it, but $50 for one is just crazy IMO. Furthermore, I think you can only achieve an improvement in tone by screwing the screws directly into to wood.
 
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