Pickup Mounting Screw problem

[7thSon]

Tried to fit a pair of BKP's today, but the screws i've got are too thin they don't grip the pickup legs hole.

Even the stock Epiphone screws from the pickup I took out which were a little wider, are still too thin and just pass through the hole.

Allparts have US thread (#3-48 x 1-1/4 inch) or 3mm metric, do I need one of those, or something else?

[Twinfan]

The screws you got with the pickup don't work?  That's odd  :?

Is it a second hand pickup or a new one?

[Philly Q]

You need #3-48 US thread screws, metric screws won't fit.  Didn't the BKPs come with screws?

[7thSon]

Yep it's a 2nd hand set so I'm assuming a mistake on the sellers part (too long ago though so couldn't find the contact info for him).

I have another BKP with the same screws and springs though, but it has a much narrower hole which the screws will grip (and long legs).

[Philly Q]

The screws from your "new" BKP don't fit, but they fit your "old" BKP?  They should always be the same size.

Could someone have drilled out the holes in the legs in order to direct-mount the pickups on a body, without pickup rings?  :?

[7thSon]

Oh that's weird then, I thought maybe there were different size options.

The wider holes are about 3mm compared to 2mm for the normal sized one. Also the flat part of the legs (where the hole is) are triangular shaped, compared to rectangular on the other one (the one with the narrow / normal sized hole).

[Philly Q]

I reckon they've been made that way to fit in something like this:

[WezV]

yeah, sounds like they have been modified for direct mounting - with the holes enlarged for the screw to go right through

in such cases you have two options - a) use a larger screw and retap the hole or b) fix the hole so its the appropriate size - the best way to fix it is to get a humbucker baseplate like this:
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Pickups:_Parts/Humbucker_Pickup_Parts/Humbucker_Baseplate.html
http://www.allparts.uk.com/online-shop/allparts-guitar-amp-parts/pickup-parts/humbucking-pickup-frame-vintage-style-p-3555.html
http://www.allparts.uk.com/online-shop/allparts-guitar-amp-parts/pickup-parts/humbucking-pickup-frame-short-legs-50mm-1-3132-inch-nickel-silver-p-15218.html
cut off the bottom bit of the legs from this new baseplate.. then solder it underneath your current modified leg


you could also replace the baseplate, which is easy to do but generally means the potting will need redoing - or send it back to BKP so you still ahve one with teh appropriate engraving

[Philly Q]

in such cases you have two options - a) use a larger screw and retap the hole or b) fix the hole so its the appropriate size - the best way to fix it is to get a humbucker baseplate like this:
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Pickups:_Parts/Humbucker_Pickup_Parts/Humbucker_Baseplate.html
http://www.allparts.uk.com/online-shop/allparts-guitar-amp-parts/pickup-parts/humbucking-pickup-frame-vintage-style-p-3555.html
http://www.allparts.uk.com/online-shop/allparts-guitar-amp-parts/pickup-parts/humbucking-pickup-frame-short-legs-50mm-1-3132-inch-nickel-silver-p-15218.html
cut off the bottom bit of the legs from this new baseplate.. then solder it underneath your current modified leg

Sounds a good idea, I have a Lollar Firebird pickup which has the legs "mended" in a similar way.

I might have some #3-48 nuts which could maybe be used rather than buying a new pickup baseplate?  I'll have a look later.

[WezV]

yeah, just got a new lollar firebird pickup in and it has the same thing - i assume the baseplates jason uses are different to the screws he provides so alters them like this.  I was surprised he didnt just get some baseplates made to the size he wants but this is still a perfectly fine way to do it

a nut will work well too, just make sure its attached underneath the leg, then even if the bond breaks the springs will hold everything in place

[7thSon]

I see, thanks guys.

Sounds like it would be easier using a nut than cutting a baseplate. Would I need solder the nut or just let the spring tension hold it together like you say? I've read about the mounting difficulties with springs flying all over the place!

Are 3-48 nuts available in places like B&Q? Out of interest what tool would one use to cut a baseplate?

[Philly Q]

yeah, just got a new lollar firebird pickup in and it has the same thing - i assume the baseplates jason uses are different to the screws he provides so alters them like this.  I was surprised he didnt just get some baseplates made to the size he wants but this is still a perfectly fine way to do it

I would guess he makes his Firebird and Minihumbucker pickups on the assumption that they'll be using an LP Deluxe style mounting, so he then has to mod them for ring/scratchplate mounting.  I think it would be more sensible to have threaded feet as standard, then let the customer drill the holes out for an LP Deluxe.  But who am I to question? 

Sounds like it would be easier using a nut than cutting a baseplate. Would I need solder the nut or just let the spring tension hold it together like you say? I've read about the mounting difficulties with springs flying all over the place!

The nut would need to be held in place on the pickup foot, because otherwise it would tend to rotate as you turned the mounting screw (although friction would help).

A couple of drops of superglue might be enough, so long as you were careful not to get it inside the thread.

It might be tough to get #3-48 nuts in a UK DIY store, I think they mostly have metric stuff although I haven't really looked for specific sizes.

[WezV]

yeah, best to fix the nut in place with something.

nickel silver base plates are quite soft though, so cutting them is pretty darn easy

[ToneMonkey]

Are 3-48 nuts available in places like B&Q? Out of interest what tool would one use to cut a baseplate?

Always give B&Q and the like a wide birth as for screws/sandpaper etc they're right rip off merchants.  Take the screw up your local hardward store and give it to the bloke behind the counter.

[Philly Q]

Just had a look in my nuts & bolts box - haven't got any #3-48 nuts, sorry.

Found some on eBay though, the cheapest are about the same price as the humbucker baseplate Wez linked to, but this way you'd have spares:

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_nkw=3-48+nut&LH_AvailTo=3