A little maintenance was required...

**Grand Wazoo** · 01-10-2010, 06:42 PM

A few days after I received my 25th Anniversary HSS, I've noticed a tilting motion in the 2 single coil pickups, when resting my thumb on them these would move from side to side quite freely. Obviously the singles, not being as wide as the bridge humbucker, are only fitted by one screw at each end, whilst the humbucker has 2 on the top and one on the bottom, this means that the latter sits firmly in the slot as it's held by 3 screw as opposed to 2. The higher they are set the more they tilt.

You have to appreciate that to me a single coil on a MusicMan it's a complete new experience, so with that in mind I have been a little uncomfortable with these 2 pickups wobbling.

Of course I have contacted CS and the very helpful Nathan suggested I should check to make sure that the p/u screws were fitted firmly and that they had this little rubber o-ring that is designed to stablilize the spring in which the screws are housed in. So I checked all that, and everything was fine, I then reported back to Nathan and he said I could rest assured all was in perfect order as intended. I was satisfied that this was not a problem and that it's only a matter of me getting used to it. And I can't stress enough how corteous and professional the people at Customer Service are.

Today I came up with a neat DIY idea which actually worked very well.
I've found a roll of insulating foam which is used as a draft excluder with an adhesive peel back strip, and I've cut 4 small eyelets the size of a pea each, I've lifted the 2 singles and applied 2 of these pads to the lower edges of each pickup, I've then refitted them in the slots, screwed them in at the correct height and now I am pleased to confirm that they sit perfectly without tilting, what a result! Anyone else noticed this with their single coils?

**Manfloozy** · 01-10-2010, 07:08 PM

Yes, actually indeed I had just recently noticed the exact same thing. On my fretted 25th they seem to be a little looser than on the fretless. I attributed this to the PUPs being a little bit higher... because the strings are set a little bit higher, and not being as "tightened down".

Nothing that is really an issue, just something I had been curious about in the last day or so too. Glad you found a "fix" for yours. I'm leaving mine as is, as it is very minimal and doesn't make any difference on function or playability at all (from what I can tell).

**Big Poppa** · 01-10-2010, 07:48 PM

This is great that nathan helped you but keep in mind his job that he is paid for is to service 86 foriegn distributors and this is an example of people circumventing the dealer, diustributor and going direct to someone who I am very happy will handle it but he is getting swampled and staying late to keep up....please international customers realize how hard everyone works and that we have people in your country to help you. If at last resort feel free to contact nathan or scott applegate

**Grand Wazoo** · 01-10-2010, 07:56 PM

Point taken Boss. Thanks and sorry for emailing Nathan

**djaxup** · 01-11-2010, 12:33 AM

The S part of my HS Bongo is just moving a bit if i press directly down on it, so just vertically, and i think that's normal due to the spring. It's a fine rest for my thumb.

**cellkirk74** · 01-11-2010, 01:09 AM

The same with my bridge PU on the Big Al. But it is no problem at all. As it does sound so fabulous I am not going to do anything with it.

The method with the insulating foam is a perfect solution for those who feel in need for a tighter fit.

**Grand Wazoo** · 01-11-2010, 03:13 AM

Yes I have mentioned it in my original post this is not a defect or anything wrong, it's an obvious result from the pivoting action, these pickups are at least 2 inch deep and when they are set reasonably high towards the strings a little play is expected because of the 2 screws fitting, and a little pieace of foam works wonders to stop them from tilting.

This bass still is the best I have ever had.

**Randracula** · 01-11-2010, 05:16 AM

Honestly can't believe you had to call CS for them to tell you to use a screwdriver.

**bassmonkeee** · 01-11-2010, 05:50 AM

I can.

**bovinehost** · 01-11-2010, 06:16 AM

You guys are brutal. But funny.

**Big Poppa** · 01-11-2010, 08:10 AM

Lets all co exisit...Im not picking on Fran and Fran thanks for taking my comments in the proper spirit...but its really hard to convey the lines that are blurred here....the amount of personal pen pal email with all of customer service is what our guys and gals should get the nobel peace prize for....you cant believe how much of the in box are forumites chit chatting or asking questions that are already answered here....Oh well

**Grand Wazoo** · 01-11-2010, 08:37 AM

BP, I am not that bad a boy after all, I am sure you know by now, plus I understand the situation and your ethics a lot more you see?. For a good value bass like this I just wanted to make sure that before I looked under the pickups that it was ok to do without causing damage. Next time I'll send an email to the Blind Lemon and his tech team.

And you can also see I am big enough to ignore harsh comments by unkind forumites.