Telecaster Bridge Pickup Problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter Zaphod B
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Zaphod B

Zaphod B

Raccoons-Be-Gone, Inc.
Last night I decided to fine-tune the pickup height on my new Telecaster (MIA Deluxe Ash).

The bridge pickup will not adjust downward on the treble side. (The bass side is OK.) The adjustment screws - the middle one and the one on the treble side - will actually back out so their heads protrude above the pickguard, but the pickup itself will not drop down, even when I press on it reasonably forcefully. It feels as if it's being mechanically restricted, that is, that there is something underneath the pickup on that side to keep it from lowering. Maybe wiring bunched up underneath?

What do y'all think? Is removing the bridge the only way to access the pickup?
 
I bet you're guess is correct-the wiring has bunched up under there. As well as the bridge coming off you will most likely need to remove the strings as they are through the body.
 
Anfontan said:
I bet you're guess is correct-the wiring has bunched up under there. As well as the bridge coming off you will most likely need to remove the strings as they are through the body.
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Yep. It's all going to have to come apart.

Maybe I can live with it. :mad:
 
Zaphod B said:
Yep. It's all going to have to come apart.

Maybe I can live with it. :mad:
Click to expand...

I'd say live with it till its time to change the strings-then you'll only have to take out the 4 bridges screws. But remember to reground the bridge-its usually a wire that gets clamped down when the bridge is retightened!
 
bunched up wiring or misaligned rubber grommets (the things the pickup sits on and the screws go through) are probably what's doing it.

and yep, it's all gonna have to come off. but it goes back on really easily, too. :D

just do it at string-change time, like others have suggested and do make sure that the bridge ground stays grounded. this is a really simple procedure--i can't count the number of times i've pulled the bridge and pickguard off my tele.


cheers,
wade
 
Cool, thanks, guys.

Where is the ground wire usually attached to the bridge? Is it a solder joint?
 
Zaphod B said:
Where is the ground wire usually attached to the bridge? Is it a solder joint?
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on my 88 US tele, it was right smack in the middle of the bottom of the bridge.

i don't recall that it was a solder joint--but rather just a piece of bare wire that stuck up through the top of the guitar that the bridge rested against when in place.

i really need to open mine back up and shield the cavities.


cheers,
wade
 
mrface2112 said:
on my 88 US tele, it was right smack in the middle of the bottom of the bridge.

i don't recall that it was a solder joint--but rather just a piece of bare wire that stuck up through the top of the guitar that the bridge rested against when in place.

i really need to open mine back up and shield the cavities.
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Thanks, Wade.

What's the advantage of shielding the cavities, and what do you shield with?
 
all single coil guitars, and teles especially in my experience, are noisy when used in front of computer monitors (CRTs), TVs, and the like. in a nutshell, they're very susceptible to RFI.

shielding the control cavity and the pickup cavities with copper foil tape helps keep the RF from interfering. Some folks shield the back of the pickguard too.

also of huge help was buying a double-shielded cable. I opted for one of the $40 Monster 500 cables (not the "rock" or "bass" cables--just the regular 500 series cable). i don't buy into the Monster cable marketing propaganda, but i CAN say that it completely cut out that "ringing" sound you get from grounding and RFI when recording a guitar direct in front of a CRT monitor. probably about the best $40 i've ever spent. sure i could make my own and save money and whatnot, but i'm lazy and will usually opt to buy instead of build..... :D


cheers,
wade
 
Thanks. If and when I take it apart, I will do that. :)
 
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