Single coil mounting methods (Glue??)

[NoobLuthier]

Hey all,

I recently broke ground on my first guitar-building project: The body has been cut out and I'm ready to start work on the pickup cavities. I'm using Burns Tri-Sonic pickups, which are much wider than the typical single coil (yet obviously much thinner than a humbucker), and I'm trying to devise a method for mounting them in an aesthetically-pleasing way. I'm using really nice AAA quilted maple as a veneer, which I think would be a shame to hide behind a pickguard or mounting rings, and (as far as I know) neither of these products are available for Tri-Sonic-sized pickups, anyway.

The problem is that I really want each pickup to sit tightly in its cavity, with no screws or "wings" visible from the front of the guitar (see the Parker Fly below for reference). I'm not totally clear on how the Parker Fly mounting system actually works, but the little information I've found on the subject leads me to think that it's not applicable to my Tri-Sonics—though I'd love to find out that I'm wrong on this. I haven't eliminated the possibility of routing from the back, but I suspect the fact that I'm using Gotoh's vintage 6-hole tremolo would make that difficult or maybe impossible (as the tremolo springs will lie directly under the bridge and middle pickups).



Proposed solution: Find a way to remove the mounting "wings" that hold the screws on each side of the pickup (leaving a perfect oblong shape), and dropping the pickups directly into their respective cavities, which would be carefully fashioned to ensure a tight fit. I'm thinking that the snug fit, along with a thick layer of glue coating the bottom of the cavity, would probably be enough to secure the pickups in place. However, since I have no experience whatsoever in this area, I was hoping that someone else could confirm that this mission isn't doomed from the start. Any advice, large or small, is greatly appreciated.

 

[jtougas]

Re: Single coil mounting methods (Glue??)

One of the problems that you're going to run into is this: the screws do more than just hold the pickups in the guitar. You also use them to adjust their string-to-string balance (by raising and lowering either side), and pickup-to-pickup balance (by raising and lowering the entire pickup). So, either you get it right from the construction onward and don't touch it, or you have screws visible that let you do their thing. Unless you do mount from the back, but as you've surmised, the tremolo you're using will create issues.

The Parker tremolo system works differently than the vintage style you've picked. Other tremolo systems work similarly - you may want to take a look at one that has a self-contained spring system, like the Kahlers. That way, you'll have more body to play with.

 

[NoobLuthier]

Re: Single coil mounting methods (Glue??)

So, either you get it right from the construction onward and don't touch it, or you have screws visible that let you do their thing.

This is sort of what I was afraid of—I wasn't sure whether this plan would allow me to remove/replace the pickups later, should the need ever arise. Would it be possible to just "pluck" the pickups right out of their cavity with a good grip (assuming I use a weak enough glue) and then glue them back down again after the necessary adjustments have been made, or would this quickly turn into an unusable cavity?

 

[DreX]

Re: Single coil mounting methods (Glue??)

The Parker's pickup mounting screws go straight through the bobbin. A couple of the hex pole pieces have mounting screws beneath them, and you have to remove the hex pole piece to get at it. This won't work with the Tri Sonic of course. I don't see any choice other than to under mount them and over over the whole with a plastic cover.

 

[jtougas]

Re: Single coil mounting methods (Glue??)

Well, if you mounted them from behind, the only one who'd see the mounting screws would be you - and you would still be able to make adjustments.

Keep in mind, though, that if you make your pickup cavities nice'n'tight, you can still do a surfacemount from the front, and have it look wicked clean.

Another simple trick: use black screws.

 

[jtougas]

Re: Single coil mounting methods (Glue??)

http://www.blackdevilguitars.com/bdg28.htm

That guy seems to have the same idea as you, and be comfortable with the risk (the other thing you're betting on is the pickup never dieing). It may help that those pickups are Bartolinis- epoxy potted.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Single coil mounting methods (Glue??)

If you've got the cutting skill, you could always cut a pickguard out of the top, with a recessed ledge for it to mount on so it's flush with the body. The control cavity on the Pedulla bass I had some years ago was done this way, and the whole thing was quilted maple. I don't know how they did it, but once the cover was on, the quilt matched perfectly.

Alternatively, you could go with the self-contained Kahler trem as mentioned, and run screws through the back like Danelectro lipsticks.

However, you'd still need a way to get the pickups into the cavity on top without visible ears. Unless you went with lipsticks.

Another idea would be to install a push-to-lock/push-to-unlock system in the cavity and on the pickup baseplate. Snap them in place, and then if you want to change them, push down again and snap them out.
However, as far as I know those types of systems only come in a spring loaded magnet format (cabinetry, etc), though I doubt the magnet would be strong enough to cause issues with the pickup.

Then there's Velcro.

Or drill a hole from the rear strap pin up to the neck pickup cavity and insert some sort of levered bar that would hold the pickups in place (somehow), and the strap pin screws into the end of that bar to conceal it. If you want to change pickups, rotate the bar to unlock them.

Or cut the body in half lengthwise and mount the pickups into the bottom half, then mount the top. But there again you lose the option to adjust or change the pickups.

 

[NoobLuthier]

Re: Single coil mounting methods (Glue??)

Another idea would be to install a push-to-lock/push-to-unlock system in the cavity and on the pickup baseplate. Snap them in place, and then if you want to change them, push down again and snap them out.

Very intriguing idea. I've already ordered the push-to-lock/unlock system, so I'll post pics if it works out.

Then there's Velcro.

*jaw drops through the floor* I don't know whether this was a joke, but this could be a brilliantly simple solution to my problem. Surely a snug-fitting cavity and industrial strength velcro could hold the pickup in place?

Thanks a lot for the advice, everyone—it's hugely appreciated (and feel free to keep it coming!)

 

[DreX]

Re: Single coil mounting methods (Glue??)

Then there's Velcro.

That would be cool, but I've had problems getting mounting tape to hold pickups that weighed less. I have a feeling it would sag over time if not right away, due to gravity. It's worth a try though, since there's a big upside if it works out.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Single coil mounting methods (Glue??)

Double lock adhesive would work better than velcro. It's like thick, interlocking plastic stuff and has a pretty damned tight hold on things . . .

http://www.amazon.com/4-Strips-Replacement-E-ZPass-Mounting-Strips/dp/B002DZJQ0A/ref=pd_sim_229_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=06ZY9HDJW90K20HCD70E


I think that would work perfectly.

 

[jtougas]

Re: Single coil mounting methods (Glue??)

That's velcro... just not, you know, Velcro[SUP]TM[/SUP].