Mounting Springs / Divorce

[remak]

Just fitted a pair of Mules in my LP Std. The procedure was surprisingly easy apart from one thing: getting the spring loaded screws through the mounting rings into the p/u legs.  

The theory is easy - screw through the mounting ring, screw through the spring, compress the spring slightly, turn the screw until the thread bites in to p/u leg.

The reality is that the springs are so strong that you need 5 hands to perform the above. Every time you start to turn the screw ... ping ... where did it go?

"Schatzien could you help me a second. Yes just hold the spring and stop it no, no, ok I got it. Lets try again, see you have to keep no, NO! just keep the spring compressed would you?  I'm not shouting!!! just keep you finger under the pick up, Ping! OH! For Heavens Sake Woman !!!!... ?*!!@@@###!! etc. :shock:

Now I know why Germany still has a car insutry since, despite my years of Blue Peter training, the missus then proved her Tutonic superiority in all things Technic by managing get the p/u  and ring assembled without my help in about 15 seconds.

Unfortunately since we aren't speaking she won't tell me how.

So, gentlemen, is there a trick to this or a tool or some missing craftman's knowledge? Could a piece of sticky backed plastic or a Detergent Liquid bottle help?

A

[AndyR]

This tale of woe has made my morning  :D

It also had my missus and her visiting friend in hysterics...

I am so glad that someone else has the same trouble as I do with the pickup springs - I feel your pain.

Luckily I haven't had to resort to help from the missus (because, and she agrees with this, I'd probably have behaved the same way...).

Unfortunately, I have no secret knowledge to impart. Most took me ages, but the very last pickup I did, the springs went in almost as fast as the record breaking 15 seconds you quote for Schatzien (was this for one spring or both?!)

I think it's something to do with the way you hold all the bits. And also, it probably requires not getting too excited about what it's going to sound like when all this fiddly stuff has been done. And, if you're anything like me, the soldering is the bit I'm worried about, I always under-estimate "just putting a few screws in first". With the first set I did, I got really annoyed, but the missus reports that I must have kept that to myself... (I didn't like to tell her that she was out doing the food shopping on her own at the time!)

I'd be very keen to know if someone else has any secrets on how to do it, I've some MQs on the way, and although I no longer fear it, I'm not looking forward to the "spring battle"!!

[kellar]

Inserting the screw through the spring and into the pickup ring requires the careful combination of me balancing the entire assembly with my hands while holding it in place and then holding the end of the screwdriver in place with my mouth while I use 2 free fingers (whichever they may be) to turn it. It normally takes a few tries and it's not pretty too watch but after changing out pickups about a billion times it has gotten easier. It's a delicate balance. One day someone will come out with a better design and we will all rejoice! :lol:

[WezV]

i think the springs that comes with BKP's may be a little on the long side... fine for the long legged varieties but obviosuly more squashing is needed for short leg ones... they still fit fine though but it can be annoying

personally i mainly use surgical tubing cut just shorter than the screw.  

http://www.allparts.uk.com/silicon-surgical-tubing-replacing-pickup-springs-p-3645.html?p=product

[kellar]

That's brilliant, never seen that used before. Surely it's much easier. I'll give it a go next time around.

[prozacbear]

My last pickup change involved war pigs and I would say a willingness to endure discomfort/ pain was the only way I got them in. I had to closed my fist around the pickup as hard as I could (ignoring the bolts now digging into my palm) to keep everything steady while I screwed in place with the other hand. When I feel an extra stab of pain that means that the screw has made its way through and I can let go.
Repeat process 3 more times and your all set to burn your hand with the soldering iron  :D

[Twinfan]

:lol:

I was talking about this with MartinW last night in the pub!  I'd just had a similar problem with my VH2s.  Bridge pickup took no time at all, the neck took about 10 minutes  

I always put just the screws in first to clear the wax out of of the threads, then it's just coordination and patience......

[Ratrod]

Those springs can be frustrating. As someone who has swapped a pickup or two, I know.

Jonathan @ Feline Guitars calls them Jezus springs as in: PLOINK! "Jezus, where did that go."

[Will]

I think my technique is quite good.

Use the old and smaller springs and leave BKP springs in the box...

[Philly Q]

I have a ratchet screwdriver which lets you turn the shaft without moving the handle.  So I prop the handle against my gut, hold the pickup, spring and mounting ring in my left hand, then turn the driver with my right hand.  Of course I still end up with everything flying all over the room occasionally, but it mostly works.

I agree with Wez's suggestions about using smaller springs or rubber tubing.  I also replace the slot-head screws with Phillips ones - they're much less prone to slipping off the screwdriver.

[badgermark]

I tend to clip the springs about a millimeter shorter than the screw. Doesn't need compressed much and goes on without losing an eye. Took me about 3 hours before I tried this method. Three long, painful hours...

[FELINEGUITARS]

Those springs can be frustrating. As someone who has swapped a pickup or two, I know.

Jonathan @ Feline Guitars calls them Jezus springs as in: PLOINK! "Jezus, where did that go."

I don't remember saying that but I know I must have

Here is a good idea - I might start making these to sell

Dan Erlewine at Stewmac.com wrote:

Installing a humbucker can be pain in the neck. The springs and screws don’t want to go together, they want to pop apart! It’s a fumbly operation, especially when the pickup’s already wired into the guitar so you’re on a short leash with no room to move.

(Pickup installation is an easy time to scratch a guitar — use a felt pad to protect the top.)

I made these aluminum clips for installing humbuckers, and they’ve become must-have items on my bench: they hold the springs, screws, and mounting ring together in one piece. Then I just set the whole assembly over the pickup and turn the mounting screws into the pickup’s threaded tabs. Then I pull away the clips and the pickup’s all assembled. These clips turn a clumsy operation into a breeze, making it much less likely that the guitar top will get scratched.

[Antag]

One of the only times in my life I've been glad I wear glasses was when I fitted an HD to my Rhoads.  Spring pinged out & scratched the lens - if I hadn't been wearing glasses it would've gone right in my eye...

[ilÿti]

Sometimes I succeed in cutting the spings in half with a branch clipper. If the spring is being less than cooperative, you can bend it 90 degrees (also with a clipper tool of some sort) and stick the screw through half of the spring, leaving the other half flopping about. It looks odd while you're doing it, but once it's mounted, no one can see it inside the ring anyway.

[WezV]

those look like a good solution jonathan, put me down for some if you do make them!!

i still think the tubing is a good solution for most things but it really doesnt seem right on the vintage stuff