Got My Pups - Quick Question

Hugh · February 4th, 2010, 11:23 PM

I emailed Chris, but he may not see it till tomorrow, and I'm wanting these up and running tonight

Included was this piece of rubber tubing. Is it for tidying up things ? Should I cut it as needed ? pos leads only ?

The stock pups had 2 tubes but the total length of the 2 are longer than the one I got with my pups. 1 had all 4 wires from the neck and middle pup in it, and the 2nd had just the bridge pup wires. Should I just forget it and use the stock tubes ?

Epinez · February 4th, 2010, 11:29 PM

that's weird - I've never heard of using the tubing for anything except in place of the height adjustment springs. Usually the tubing is cut into short lengths (as was the case for vintage strats) to dampen the height adjustment screws.

I've bought kleins before and only got springs with the setup. I've never heard of running the wires through tubes. Usually they are either left free, taped together, or in my case tie strapped together.

interesting.

Dice · February 4th, 2010, 11:47 PM

I can't imagine using it for anything other than on your height adjustment screws rather than springs. You don't think that is what it was intended for?

Hugh · February 4th, 2010, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Epinez

that's weird - I've never heard of using the tubing for anything except in place of the height adjustment springs. Usually the tubing is cut into short lengths (as was the case for vintage strats) to dampen the height adjustment screws.

I've bought kleins before and only got springs with the setup. I've never heard of running the wires through tubes. Usually they are either left free, taped together, or in my case tie strapped together.

interesting.

Well here is the stock tubing on the wires. Good to go ?

I did use the stock springs and notice the pup covers were wanting to bend towards the base of the pup. The pup base didn't bend at all.

Perhaps I need to get those springs out and use the tubing as you described ?

Hugh · February 4th, 2010, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dice

I can't imagine using it for anything other than on your height adjustment screws rather than springs. You don't think that is what it was intended for?

I was typing as you posted, please see my post above this one.

Hugh · February 4th, 2010, 11:54 PM

I suppose the tubing just eliminates tape ?

Dice · February 4th, 2010, 11:55 PM

That is what I'd do. Pieces just under 1/2 are what I've got on my Strat.

Let us know what you think of the pups once you get her all wired up!

Hugh · February 5th, 2010, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dice

That is what I'd do. Pieces just under 1/2 are what I've got on my Strat.

Let us know what you think of the pups once you get her all wired up!

Ok, I took that photo of the bent pup covers as soon as I noticed it and lossened the screws. Thankfully, the base of the pups didn't bend.

They are the S6 set, low output. I'm sure I'll love them. I just want to get it right the first time. I'll ditch the springs and use the tubing. The springs were tedious and a hassle anyhow lol.

I'm going to get busy and finish it using the stock CV pups tubing instead of tape and I'll try and record a quick demo. Probably take me a couple of hours though.

Hugh · February 5th, 2010, 12:26 AM

Chris answered my email, and yes, the tubing is to replace the springs or to replace old tubing if need be. I've asked him to comment on the pup covers bending here on the thread. If it's not an issue, I'll leave the springs on and get to soldering.

Klein Pickups · February 5th, 2010, 12:29 AM

The bending of the pickup cover "lips" is normal and ok. Every manufacturer of covers uses a different mix of plastic. This can cause some covers to seem more flexible than others. I have seen both, stiff and flexible covers like the one's that you have. Absolutely nothing to sweat over.

CK

Hugh · February 5th, 2010, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klein Pickups

The bending of the pickup cover "lips" is normal and ok. Every manufacturer of covers uses a different mix of plastic. This can cause some covers to seem more flexible than others. I have seen both, stiff and flexible covers like the one's that you have. Absolutely nothing to sweat over.

CK

Good enough Chris. Thanks a bunch. Your CS is awesome brother

Edit : Dang, where else you gonna get CS like that at 1:30 am est ?

Dice · February 5th, 2010, 12:53 AM

Well, Mr. Klein, after seeing your customer service first hand here in this thread, and listening to a couple of clips, I went ahead and ordered a S-5 middle pickup for my beloved Strat. I have a hand rewound pair of '66 Fender pups in the neck and bridge position, but my middle position is a bit lackluster in comparison (DiMarzio Blue Velvet). I think that one of your pickups will do just the trick.

I'm looking forward to trying it out.

Hugh - thanks for starting the thread - I wasn't aware of Mr. Klein's work until a few minutes ago when I read your post.

Hugh · February 5th, 2010, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dice

Well, Mr. Klein, after seeing your customer service first hand here in this thread, and listening to a couple of clips, I went ahead and ordered a S-5 middle pickup for my beloved Strat. I have a hand rewound pair of '66 Fender pups in the neck and bridge position, but my middle position is a bit lackluster in comparison (DiMarzio Blue Velvet). I think that one of your pickups will do just the trick.

I'm looking forward to trying it out.

Hugh - thanks for starting the thread - I wasn't aware of Mr. Klein's work until a few minutes ago when I read your post.

No problem, thank you for chiming in

The iron is hot and I'm digging in !

Hugh · February 5th, 2010, 01:11 AM

I should be filming this. It's hilarious. I just used my de-soldering gizmo with the suction bulb from radio shack to get the lug wire off the old volume pot. I'm doing this on a table next to my pc desk, and when I drew the solder into it, instead of getting up and grabbing a soup can or something to blow the old solder out of it, I blew it in my ashtray. Add 5 minutes work time to clean up the ashes that went flying everywhere, including all over my keyboard lol.

I live I learn.

Dice · February 5th, 2010, 01:20 AM

I am the world's messiest solderer. So long as everything works, I don't worry too much about it!

Goodkat · February 5th, 2010, 01:22 AM

Congrats on your new pickups, Hugh. We hope to see even more pics.

Epinez · February 5th, 2010, 12:29 PM

good luck - i'm glad you figured it out. The S-6 clips sound really nice, I bet they'll be great.

Hugh · February 5th, 2010, 02:34 PM

Well, I got it wired up and it won't go back in the guitar easilly. It was late, so I just set it aside. Didn't try to force it in. It may be the stock wire tubes I used, or the switch is touching the bottom of the cavity.

I've got something binding or else the body needs routing a bit. At any rate, I'm working long shifts tonight and tomorrow, so I'm going to have to wait till Sunday to figure it out.

It's always something lol. I'll get it done eventually.

chevalij · February 5th, 2010, 04:12 PM

I can almost guarantee that it's the way you have the wires routed. If you're not careful the wires can get hung up between the pickguard and the body by the bridge pickup.

Hugh · February 6th, 2010, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevalij

I can almost guarantee that it's the way you have the wires routed. If you're not careful the wires can get hung up between the pickguard and the body by the bridge pickup.

Yes sir, that was the first thing I looked at when it didn't drop in. They are not near the edge of the cavity.

I think it's the Switchcraft switch touching the bottom of the cavity. It appears nearly 1/4 inch higher than the flat Alpha, and there is a scratch mark on the shield paint right in the switch area. I'll drop it back in and note the gap between the guard and the body. I don't think it's that much, so I'll try routing it out under the switch.

Hugh · February 9th, 2010, 03:18 AM

EDIT : Took that demo down, I'll post a better one later

Hugh · February 9th, 2010, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goodkat

Congrats on your new pickups, Hugh. We hope to see even more pics.

Not as planned, but for now here is how it looks.

Callaham trem

Goodkat · February 9th, 2010, 04:25 AM

Hey Hugh, that looks nice but ... what is 'not as planned'?

Hugh · February 9th, 2010, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goodkat

Hey Hugh, that looks nice but ... what is 'not as planned'?

I put the upgraded parts on the CV 50's guard. The cavity on the 50's body isn't deep enough for the Switchcraft switch. So since company came over Sunday and took up the time I was going to need to remove some wood under the switch, I just put the pups in my 60's CV guard and dropped it in the CV 50's.

Goodkat · February 9th, 2010, 05:03 AM

Oh ... that sounds a bit unpleasant. When you said 'not as planned', I thought it meant something was wrong with the Callaham trem (I hope it's not).

Hugh · February 9th, 2010, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goodkat

Oh ... that sounds a bit unpleasant. When you said 'not as planned', I thought it meant something was wrong with the Callaham trem (I hope it's not).

Oh no, the trem is fine. I installed it up per the instructions on Bill's site and only had to tweak the intonation on 2 strings. The saddle height is so close to how I'd set it anyway, I just left it as it came. I can't find my radius gauge, but I think it came shipped for a 9.5 radius anyhow. It was a breeze. The spring rattle the stock trem had is gone and none of the strings are binding the saddle slots as were on the stock trem. Smooth as can be. I'll have to widen the 6th and 5th nut slots a bit though since I'm using 12's

Goodkat · February 9th, 2010, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

... I'll have to widen the 6th and 5th nut slots a bit though since I'm using 12's

Good for you!

I'd like to go that way (use 12 gauge strings) but availability is a bit of a problem. For the time being I'm using 11s and frankly ... I like them.

P.S.
Glad you like the Callaham trem.

Hugh · February 9th, 2010, 05:42 AM

I just found out earlier tonight, that GHS makes a set of 11's w/a 3rd wound. DR 11's are nice.

Perhaps you can get a local shop to order what you want if you buy 10 sets. You may get net prices without paying shipping.

Goodkat · February 9th, 2010, 09:58 AM

I could probably do it (it's more than likely that I could) but I don't want to buy 10 sets of strings at a time. It's a matter of practicality: I've been using D'Addario 11-49 sets since 2002. They are always available without exception. Sets of 12s with the wound G string are almost always available but I don't really like the wound G string (and thick, plain G strings, sold separately, are almost never available). Sets of Ernie Ball 12-54 strings are always available but those set have .024" plain G strings (I could probably hang both of my 10kg dumbbells on that thing without it snapping) and that means that bending is an issue ... somewhat.

Anyway ... thanks for the support but it's not a big problem (it's not a problem at all, actually). I really like using 11s (they sound pretty big but I can bend them easily). I wouldn't mind using 12s or maybe even 13s but there's nothing wrong with 11s.

Hugh · February 13th, 2010, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevalij

I can almost guarantee that it's the way you have the wires routed. If you're not careful the wires can get hung up between the pickguard and the body by the bridge pickup.

You may be right after all. I just dropped the 50's p/g in my 60's CV w/no pups on it and it dropped right in. I hadn't tried dropping the rebuilt 50's guard in the CV 50's after I took the pups off it. I may not have to rout the cavity out after all.

Anyhow, I was working with a bad iron tip the first time, so I'll just re-do the whole thing again and make things more tidy.