Tell me about hex screws
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Skaforlifeologist
Re: Tell me about hex screws
hex screws are generally just smaller in diameter compared to slotted screws, meaning a smaller magnetic field, hence the articulation. also, most of the time they are shorter than slotted screws making for an even tighter magnetic field, meaning more articulation. this is why the full shred is labeled as so, since it's got 2 sets of hex screws that are shorter, so are very responsive to everything you play, including all your mistakes. it's been debated whether a full shred neck is just a jazz wind with 2 sets of shorter hex screws, but it'd make sense seeing as how articlate many claim it to be. i'unno where to buy the screws tho:dunno::laughing:
hex screws are generally just smaller in diameter compared to slotted screws, meaning a smaller magnetic field, hence the articulation. also, most of the time they are shorter than slotted screws making for an even tighter magnetic field, meaning more articulation. this is why the full shred is labeled as so, since it's got 2 sets of hex screws that are shorter, so are very responsive to everything you play, including all your mistakes. it's been debated whether a full shred neck is just a jazz wind with 2 sets of shorter hex screws, but it'd make sense seeing as how articlate many claim it to be. i'unno where to buy the screws tho:dunno::laughing:
Zerberus
Baron Von Shred
Re: Tell me about hex screws
Logically, if you´re replacing the filisters or slugs with hex screws, they will not be smaller in diameter unless you´re intentionally aiming for gaps between the poles and bobbin. They would of course be smaller if you´re trying to replace the filisters with hex screws that are thread compatible, but how anybody would not instantly realize that the mistake in this scenario was not drilling out the bobbin holes but ordering screws to match the existing diameter is a bit of a riddle to me, as the thread correct dameter would be about 1/16", making the polepieces essentially not be there at all
would it work with the lil grub screws? yes
Would it sound "right"? Probably no, because one coil now has a severely weakened magnetic field. It may be to your liking, but it WILL look and sound funny
Logically, if you´re replacing the filisters or slugs with hex screws, they will not be smaller in diameter unless you´re intentionally aiming for gaps between the poles and bobbin. They would of course be smaller if you´re trying to replace the filisters with hex screws that are thread compatible, but how anybody would not instantly realize that the mistake in this scenario was not drilling out the bobbin holes but ordering screws to match the existing diameter is a bit of a riddle to me, as the thread correct dameter would be about 1/16", making the polepieces essentially not be there at all
would it work with the lil grub screws? yes
Would it sound "right"? Probably no, because one coil now has a severely weakened magnetic field. It may be to your liking, but it WILL look and sound funny
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idsnowdog
Imperator of Indignation
Re: Tell me about hex screws
The length of poles:
The length of poles or their mass does play a part in the tone of the pickup. Longer poles do give a fuller and darker sound. With longer poles there is also the possibility of introducing what is known as “eddy currents”. These eddy currents are magnetic fields that project from the bottom of the pickup rather than from the top. These secondary magnetic fields can have a negative impact on clarity, but they can also thicken the sound of a pickup. My experience has been that poles that are flush with the base of the pickup yield better definition and clarity.
The composition of poles:
The materials the poles are made of have an influence on the sound of a pickup such as nickel-plated steel, stainless steel and black oxide. Stainless steel is a poor conductor and the tone of a pickup changes with stainless steel. This is a deciding factor when replacing poles with hardware store screws. The majority of hardware store screws are stainless steel, so the change in materials is often more important than the style of screw head.
Screw heads:
Hex head screws have a tighter and brighter sound than nickel-plated fillister screws. Hex heads have sharp treble, tight bass and reduced midrange presence. Nickel-plated fillister screws will round and darken the sound of a pickup and bass/midrange will be more accentuated and highs will be less present.
Height of the poles:
People often overlook the height of the screws in relation to the strings. They adjust the mounting screws, but not the individual poles. Raising or radiusing the poles to mimic the curvature of the bridge and neck profile can have positive results. If the pickup has two rows of adjustable poles raise the bridge coil poles to get more treble and lower the neck side screws to reduce bass. This mimics tilting a pickup like in Telecaster.
Orientation of the poles:
The orientation of the pickup makes a difference whether the poles are near the bridge or near the neck. Turning a pickup 180 degrees does affect the tone of the pickup and can either brighten and tighten the sound or darken and loosen the sound.
So what to do?
The length of poles:
The length of poles or their mass does play a part in the tone of the pickup. Longer poles do give a fuller and darker sound. With longer poles there is also the possibility of introducing what is known as “eddy currents”. These eddy currents are magnetic fields that project from the bottom of the pickup rather than from the top. These secondary magnetic fields can have a negative impact on clarity, but they can also thicken the sound of a pickup. My experience has been that poles that are flush with the base of the pickup yield better definition and clarity.
The composition of poles:
The materials the poles are made of have an influence on the sound of a pickup such as nickel-plated steel, stainless steel and black oxide. Stainless steel is a poor conductor and the tone of a pickup changes with stainless steel. This is a deciding factor when replacing poles with hardware store screws. The majority of hardware store screws are stainless steel, so the change in materials is often more important than the style of screw head.
Screw heads:
Hex head screws have a tighter and brighter sound than nickel-plated fillister screws. Hex heads have sharp treble, tight bass and reduced midrange presence. Nickel-plated fillister screws will round and darken the sound of a pickup and bass/midrange will be more accentuated and highs will be less present.
Height of the poles:
People often overlook the height of the screws in relation to the strings. They adjust the mounting screws, but not the individual poles. Raising or radiusing the poles to mimic the curvature of the bridge and neck profile can have positive results. If the pickup has two rows of adjustable poles raise the bridge coil poles to get more treble and lower the neck side screws to reduce bass. This mimics tilting a pickup like in Telecaster.
Orientation of the poles:
The orientation of the pickup makes a difference whether the poles are near the bridge or near the neck. Turning a pickup 180 degrees does affect the tone of the pickup and can either brighten and tighten the sound or darken and loosen the sound.
So what to do?
- First adjust the mounting screws to position the pickup at 3/32 on the bass side and 2/32 on the treble side.
- Second measure the radius of the bridge/neck and adjust the poles either up or down to mimic that radius. Turning a pole ½ a turn can have positive results.
- Third if you still don’t get the clarity you want use a dremel tool or a jewelers saw to cut the poles flush with the bottom of the pickup.
- Fourth try a different style screw such as hex head or visa/versa.
- Fifth if you like the tone of a different style screw, but you still don’t have the clarity you want, try cutting the screws off flush with the bottom of the pickup.
- Sixth try rotating the pickup 180 degrees.
- Seventh try a magnet swap.
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Re: Tell me about hex screws
So what does all this imply for trembuckers whose screws look like nothing I have seen before?
Also, someone said they put hex screws in their Steve's Special. I have a Steve's Special and it looks like it already has hex screws (and it is one of the most articulate pickups I have heard)
thanks,
brian
So what does all this imply for trembuckers whose screws look like nothing I have seen before?
Also, someone said they put hex screws in their Steve's Special. I have a Steve's Special and it looks like it already has hex screws (and it is one of the most articulate pickups I have heard)
thanks,
brian
Re: Tell me about hex screws
The screw thread used in our pickups is not commonly carried by hardware stores in my experience. I drove all over town checking out various regular hardware stores and big box home improvement stores' screw bins, and didn't find anything in a 5-40 thread. I eventually found a fastener wholesaler here in town and ended up buying a big bag of hex pole screws like those found in a Full Shred.
The screw thread used in our pickups is not commonly carried by hardware stores in my experience. I drove all over town checking out various regular hardware stores and big box home improvement stores' screw bins, and didn't find anything in a 5-40 thread. I eventually found a fastener wholesaler here in town and ended up buying a big bag of hex pole screws like those found in a Full Shred.
idsnowdog
Imperator of Indignation
Re: Tell me about hex screws
What I do is capo the neck at the 12th fret and then use a ruler from the bottom of the string to the top of the pickup, excluding the poles. This height isn't set in stone, but it is a good place to start adjusting (+-). I find it works equally well for all positions, the only caveat being that middle and neck usually need to be a little lower due to the strings vibrational arc and its effects on amplitude.
Re: Tell me about hex screws
I did this hex screw mod tonight.
After putting the screws in for just the three wound strings, I immediately noticed a much improved tightness. Things also seemed brighter and perhaps a bit crunchier. It kind of reminded me of the Full Shred I have equipped in another axe. I'm still trying to decide if I like the imcreased brightness or not, but there is definitely a change in the pickups voice. It's almost like having a new, completely different pickup.
I did this hex screw mod tonight.
After putting the screws in for just the three wound strings, I immediately noticed a much improved tightness. Things also seemed brighter and perhaps a bit crunchier. It kind of reminded me of the Full Shred I have equipped in another axe. I'm still trying to decide if I like the imcreased brightness or not, but there is definitely a change in the pickups voice. It's almost like having a new, completely different pickup.
korovamilkdud
WhoDatologist
Re: Tell me about hex screws
I bought mine at a hardware store. They cost all of about $2 for a set of 6. It's true, I heard a major drop in low mids and upper bass frequencies when I screwed them in. Definately capable of de-mudding a pickup.
I bought mine at a hardware store. They cost all of about $2 for a set of 6. It's true, I heard a major drop in low mids and upper bass frequencies when I screwed them in. Definately capable of de-mudding a pickup.
Re: Tell me about hex screws
I'm in the mood to experiment and see what changes are brought about by the shape of the head and by the length of the shaft.
Doing some searches, I see that the usual humbucker polepiece screw is a 5-40 x 3/4" fillister head, slotted drive, nickel plated machine screw. In addition the ones I pulled out happened to be type 23 thread-cutters on top of that, but I suspect that's from the manufacturing process of the pickup - I used to use type 23 thread-cutters in my old shop job. It was easier and faster than drilling screw holes then threading them separately.
Looking online, I can see various vendors such as Stew Mac carry the standard 3/4" length nickel plated screw, but I cannot find anyone that sells 5-40 x 1/2" fillister head, slotted drive, nickel plated machine screws. I know that I can cut 1/4 off the 3/4 screw but I'd rather use the right part to begin with. Does anyone know where I might find these short of placing an expensive custom order with a fastener company that would require me to buy a huge lot of screws (1000, 10000, 100000, etc) that's more than I'd ever need?
I'm in the mood to experiment and see what changes are brought about by the shape of the head and by the length of the shaft.
Doing some searches, I see that the usual humbucker polepiece screw is a 5-40 x 3/4" fillister head, slotted drive, nickel plated machine screw. In addition the ones I pulled out happened to be type 23 thread-cutters on top of that, but I suspect that's from the manufacturing process of the pickup - I used to use type 23 thread-cutters in my old shop job. It was easier and faster than drilling screw holes then threading them separately.
Looking online, I can see various vendors such as Stew Mac carry the standard 3/4" length nickel plated screw, but I cannot find anyone that sells 5-40 x 1/2" fillister head, slotted drive, nickel plated machine screws. I know that I can cut 1/4 off the 3/4 screw but I'd rather use the right part to begin with. Does anyone know where I might find these short of placing an expensive custom order with a fastener company that would require me to buy a huge lot of screws (1000, 10000, 100000, etc) that's more than I'd ever need?
alex1fly
Well-known member
Re: Tell me about hex screws
That's the effect I got. I have all hex screws in my Virtual PAF set. I like it alot.
That's the effect I got. I have all hex screws in my Virtual PAF set. I like it alot.
Re: Tell me about hex screws
I got my hex srews through Fastenal, but they don't offer any machine screws with nickel plated finishes. They offer, plain, zinc, green zinc, yellow zinc, black oxide and GM silver dicromate. No nickel.
Where the heck does one find a nickel plated screw?
I got my hex srews through Fastenal, but they don't offer any machine screws with nickel plated finishes. They offer, plain, zinc, green zinc, yellow zinc, black oxide and GM silver dicromate. No nickel.
Where the heck does one find a nickel plated screw?
