Height Adjustment Screw rant

[GuitarIv]

Well, yesterday I messed around with the wiring of my Strat once again and ran across a common problem I use to find on guitars. Worn out height adjustment screws. After going through my whole inventory of spare guitar parts I realized I had no good screws left and eventually used an old one that was still looking ok. Wired everything up, started to screw in the Humbucker and a few seconds later the damn thing was worn out to the point where turning the Mofo was beyond possible!  :x

I'm sure I'm not the only one having this problem, I often found that hardware nowadays seems to be made out of poor quality metal that's either to soft or very prone to rust (I blame my sweat!) not only when it comes down to screws, but also Trems and Bridges seem to suffer. I always have a bottle of WD-40 at hand to soak parts over night in it and that worked for my Floyd Rose Bridges, but it's just really annoying over time.

So I'm asking you guys, does anyone have a reliable source where I can get new guitar parts like screws and all the other stuff that suffers over time? I'm sure StewMac has great stuff but I would need to order a bigger amount of parts so shipping costs would be appropriate (I live in Austria), any EU-Sites you can recommend that come close to StewMac would be great.

Oh and feel free to share your experiences.

Cheers!

[Lucas]

It might be little bit beyond the point, but even super-uber parts like Graphtech are getting worn very quickly. I was in shock when noticed that Graphtech Resomax tune-o-matic bridge that has been installed NEW 7 months ago looks like after nuclear attack.

it says on the website:    Triple plated finished for a durable and beautiful finish. and is bonded with an ultra low friction formula designed to drastically reduce string breakage BUT after 7 months of playing that triple plated finish is getting worn and faded and that string saver coating on saddles is coming off.

[Afghan Dave]

Here you go...

http://www.axesrus.co.uk/Pickup-screws-s/1935.htm

[Philly Q]

Allparts have most types of screws (for scratchplates, pickups, neckplates, mounting rings etc) available in stainless steel (as well as the usual nickel/chrome, gold or black).

I don't think they have humbucker height adjustment screws or tuner screws, though.

Of course you might also have an issue as to whether you need metric or imperial threads.

[GuitarIv]

Thanks Dave!

Philly: Don't know where the difference is to be honest, enlighten me?  :?

[Philly Q]

Philly: Don't know where the difference is to be honest, enlighten me?  :?

You mean with the metric or imperial threads?

American pickups (and BKPs) need a screw with an imperial thread (#3-48, if I remember correctly) whereas Asian pickups (or European ones like Schallers) need a screw with a metric thread (M3, I guess).

So if you got a screw from, say, an Epiphone pickup and tried to use it with a BKP, it wouldn't screw into the holes in the feet.

[GuitarIv]

Ah I see. I guess then as long as I order screws that fit Duncans I should be good to go. Thanks!  :D