Help! Loose Tele baseplate

[Tony_H]

Hi,

The baseplate on my 52 Tele Lead has come loose. I noticed the pickup was microphonic, so I took it out and the baseplate is loose. How do I fix it back? It seems that either it or the lower flatwork plate are bent and won't stay together (they flex).

Do I just wax pot it, or is there another thing to do?

Thanks

Tony

 

[Tony_H]

Re: Help! Loose Tele baseplate

One more question: how is the baseplate affixed to the lower part of the bobbin (the flatwork?)? Is it held in place with wax only, or is it glued? I wonder how I managed to set mine loose. I don't recall handling the pickup roughly in any way...

 

[Dirt123]

Re: Help! Loose Tele baseplate

One more question: how is the baseplate affixed to the lower part of the bobbin (the flatwork?)? Is it held in place with wax only, or is it glued? I wonder how I managed to set mine loose. I don't recall handling the pickup roughly in any way...

I think that they are wax potted in place when they are made. You might be able to heat the plate with a soldering iron & remelt the wax. I haven't tried that.

That said, I have glued 'em on with silicon sealer (DANGER this stuff may harm a guitars finish - might be bad for the pickup too, but I haven't had any problems). I have also isolated the plate from the pickup with a piece of rubber or foam & let the height adjustment screws hold it in place. The isolator deadens the plate's vibrations & doesn't seem to affect tone.

On the other hand, it sounds to me like an excuse to buy a new SD Pickup!
Of course, I just bought one Monday because my old pickup looked at me funny.

BBB

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Help! Loose Tele baseplate

Wax will work, as will silicone gasket maker.

 

[Tony_H]

Re: Help! Loose Tele baseplate

On the other hand, it sounds to me like an excuse to buy a new SD Pickup!
BBB

LOL this is not exactly the case with me right now I took my 52 Tele Set out of a guitar I'm selling and plan on trying them in my HWY1 Tele.

Thanks, I'll try to melt some wax

 

[Dirt123]

Re: Help! Loose Tele baseplate

Cool. Let us know how it works out.

BBB

 

[Tony_H]

Re: Help! Loose Tele baseplate

OK, I didn't find a good pot to melt the wax. I know I have to be careful about the temperature. I ruined a pickup or two when the wax got too hot and distorted the plastic bobbins.

I'll have to find a pot and do it later cuz I'm so tired. Last night I drove home from a gig. I got to bed at 3:30 a.m., and the kids woke me up at 5:30. So thanks for your advice guys and see you later. It's 8 p.m. here and I'm sorely ready for bed.

Tony