Long pickup legs...

[FeralKid]

So I'm building a parts guitar, and am nearly finished. I'm experimenting with throwing in an old Screamin' Demon in the neck position of an 80's Strat Plus body, and a JB in the bridge.

I've read some other threads about pickup height screws, but I seem to have a dilemma that isn't common. I cut all the pickup height screws, in order to fit into the shallow Fender cavity. But the legs on the SD seem to be long, compared to the JB. So, with my shorter screws, adjusting the SD pickup height is extremely limited. I have the pickup at a decent height, but it's at the very end of the screws, and any more adjustment isn't possible which I don't like. I'm considering two options: switching to longer screws, and drilling into the body to accommodate them, or modifying the pickup by switching to an aftermarket baseplate.

Any thoughts or suggestions from you pros out there?

 

[AlexR]

Re: Long pickup legs...

No, long leg pickups not fitting into a lot of guitars is very common, if not expected.

You can buy baseplates separately of course, but its a hassle to get them unless you're ordering a bit from the supplier and defer the shipping over many items.
Plus you then have to do a bit of work with the physical swap.

A parts guitar (and the negligible resale) means another option is on the table.....and that is routing/drilling the legs area deeper.

 

[FeralKid]

Re: Long pickup legs...

No, long leg pickups not fitting into a lot of guitars is very common, if not expected.

You can buy baseplates separately of course, but its a hassle to get them unless you're ordering a bit from the supplier and defer the shipping over many items.
Plus you then have to do a bit of work with the physical swap.

A parts guitar (and the negligible resale) means another option is on the table.....and that is routing/drilling the legs area deeper.

Yeah it’s kind of a toss up for me- but I think that some careful drilling in the pickup cavity might be the better option.

In regards to the base plates though, they seem pretty easy to come by. Looks like stewmac, mojo, and other randoms on eBay carry them.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Long pickup legs...

Yeah....there are a few places to get them. Not sure about shipping to where you are. I'm international shipping for most guitar items so I can't judge at all.

 

[Discharged]

Re: Long pickup legs...

an old Screamin' Demon in the neck position of an 80's Strat Plus body, the legs on the SD seem to be long

https://www.seymourduncan.com/pickup/screamin-demon

I'm a bit confused with this... are you SURE it's a Screamin' Demon?

I'm asking because, as you can see depicted in the link I've provided, this model should have short legs, just like the JB's, therefore you shouldn't be having any problems with too long legs.

Care to confirm?

/Peter

 

[gregory]

Re: Long pickup legs...

I have a standard JB from 1994. Guess what the length of the legs are. Hint: they aren't short.

Anyway, if you have one baseplate with long legs and one with short and you need them in the opposite locations then just swap them.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Long pickup legs...

Which begs the question: "Why long legged base plates in the first place?"

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[jeremy]

Re: Long pickup legs...

the simple answer is thats the way gibson did it in the 50's

 

[gregory]

Re: Long pickup legs...

Gibson used long legs, but I'm betting that was rhetorical.

 

[FeralKid]

Re: Long pickup legs...

https://www.seymourduncan.com/pickup/screamin-demon

I'm a bit confused with this... are you SURE it's a Screamin' Demon?

I'm asking because, as you can see depicted in the link I've provided, this model should have short legs, just like the JB's, therefore you shouldn't be having any problems with too long legs.

Care to confirm?

/Peter

Yes, it’s definitely an SH12 Screamin’ Demon, an early one. After looking at the custom shop webpage, it looks like pickups can be available with long legs to accommodate arch tops..

 

[gregory]

Re: Long pickup legs...

My TB-12 from that era has short legs.
My SH-4 from that era has long legs.
My SH-10B from that era has short legs.

They were made before many forum members ever picked up a guitar.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Long pickup legs...

the simple answer is thats the way gibson did it in the 50's

Yes, but to what purpose?

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[FeralKid]

Re: Long pickup legs...

I appreciate everyone’s input. Before now I didn’t actually know different leg lengths existed.

I think I’m going to leave the pickup alone, and drill the smallest amount away from the cavity to make room for these long Screamin’ Demon legs. I tested out the pup in a different, similar guitar and it sounds unique in a great way, in the neck. Pretty articulate and has great harmonics. Looking forward to getting this Strat set up and rocking:headbang:

 

[jeremy]

Re: Long pickup legs...

Yes, but to what purpose?

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why did gibson do it? no idea. why did seymour do it? cause gibson did it.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Long pickup legs...

Yes, but to what purpose?

They certainly help out on the bridge position of an SG. Combine the flat top of an SG with the height off the body of a TOM bridge, sometimes you need a bit longer legs to get the pickup where it needs to be. Some are worse than others, but that's one of the few cases where long legs are better (with guitars at least).

 

[Demanic]

Re: Long pickup legs...

Cool, thanks!

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[AlexR]

Re: Long pickup legs...

There may have been some other aspect like perhaps an available spring length that had to be worked around. But the Les Paul also has a deep wiring channel which might have had an influence on the matter.