Why can't I figure out how to install this Tele pickup (screws, tubing)?

[stratocrusher]

Ok, I don't know if I am doing something wrong or what, but I am just about at my wit's end. I am installing a Vintage Rhythm Stack and Hot Lead Stack into my telecaster. I have done pickup changes before, so I know what I am doing for the most part. I have all the wiring done and everything like that. My question is in regards to the attachment of the neck pickup to the pickguard. The pickup came with 2 rather long, slender screws with an unthreaded portion and 2 short pieces of rubber tubing. I put the screws through the pickguard, slipped the rubber tubing on to the screws on the backside of the pickguard, and then screwed the screws into the pickup. However, it seems that you have to screw the entire threaded portion of the screws through the pickup attachment before you can close the gap on the rubber tubing (so that the pickup doesn't move with gravity when the guitar is moved). This leaves no height adjustment available and the pickup is much too high at this point. Furthermore, the threaded portion of the screw just slides through the hole on the pickup on one side.

Did the wrong hardware ship with my pickup or am I doing something improperly that I am just not seeing? If you have trouble understanding any of the details posted above, just ask and I will try to clarify. Thanks for your help.

 

[Curly]

Re: Why can't I figure out how to install this Tele pickup (screws, tubing)?

I found the screws with my Hot neck were too long, so I ended up using the stock Fender original ones. The tubing pieces were too short, so I just cut new, longer ones.

the screws in any case should thread through the pickup, though

 

[mongrollo]

Re: Why can't I figure out how to install this Tele pickup (screws, tubing)?

Did you try to mount the pickguard and adjust the pickup? When I install a humbucker I allways have the impression that the springs won't be long enought. In the end there are allways too long

In case the rubber tubes were too short you can try to fill the gap with anything avaliable. In my case I have used the insulation of a 4 condutor cable, It was quite thick (the insulation) so it offered some resistance to compression. You can also made three discs with a hole and use them to elevate the surface of the screw hole of the pickup. This way you can use the original rubber tubes.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Why can't I figure out how to install this Tele pickup (screws, tubing)?

You need some Strat pickup screws. Sounds like you have vintage style screws for mounting the neck pickup under the pickguard like all 50's Teles have the neck pickup mounted.

I'll bet that's the problem...

The neck pickup mounting screws in a 50's Tele screw into the wood and the pickup is not attached to the pickguard.

Lew