How to keep pickups flat?

[solspirit]

Explain. The spring is bigger than the screw. Compressing the spring, then trying to thread the screw to the baseplate being careful not to cross thread it, sometimes makes the spring fly across the room.

I've had that happen but the last few pickups I replaced had much tighter springs. It also seems the the springs are coiled the opposite way a screw is threaded making it possible to screw them. Once pushed on I just make sure they move freely.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Posted a link, then worried maybe it'd be against the rules.But Stew-Mac sells clips called Humbucker Helpers that hold the spring and mounting ring in place. I haven't felt twelve bucks worth of need for that, but I could see them being handy for those who do it often.

Seems to me a piece of scrap metal with a slot cut into it ought to work for just compressing the screw.

 

[Mincer]

You can certainly post links to guitar related stuff that is going to help people.

 

[beaubrummels]

But does anyone else see the flaw in this design?

 

[eclecticsynergy]

But does anyone else see the flaw in this design?

I thought about that but I figure the top hole must be larger than the standard screwheads, and probably is a hole rather than a slot to simplify lining it all up.

Here's the link:
HUMBUCKER HELPERS

 

[Clint 55]

Cut the spring shorter than the screw and never faf again or need unnecessary tools. Or not..

 

[Mincer]

Shorter springs make it easier for the pickup to rock back and forth. The longer spring provides more resistance, keeping the pickup steadier.

 

[dave74]

Fold up a piece of cloth.

Set the pickup on top of it.

With your right hand holding the screw that is already through the ring and has the spring already in place,,,,,and your left hand pulling the spring up (compress it) simply then stick the exposed threads onto the pickup's tab.

The cloth just gives you something to press into but still allows you to turn the screw until it catches a thread.
Yes it barely twists the cloth as you do it, but you only need a thread or two in and then do the other side.

Basically it's like having three hands.



I have the helpers from stew-mac but never use them. Honestly they are more of a pain then my normal way.

 

[dave74]

Like I said earlier, the length you cut the spring depends on a few factors like the height of the ring itself, the strength of the magnet, and of course your preference for string height and pickup distance.

In some cases you can cut the spring shorter than the screw but still end up with a tightly compressed spring.
Other times you will want to leave the spring longer so that it gets tight with your final pickup-height setting.

Perfect example:
X2N or Invader in a medium or tall ring.
In this case you don't want to cut the spring too short or the pickup will be loose and easy to ROCK (p.i).

 

[dotsdad]

But does anyone else see the flaw in this design?

You put in on upside-down.