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Rising Bongo pickup problem

Mahlon

Mahlon

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 19, 2005
Messages
346
Location
Bennettsville SC
A few months ago I think on TB I read about a Bongo owner (maybe Nerve) whose pickup came up and hit the strings. Last night I started to play and my front pickup was pressed against the E string. The tail end screw was loose.

I tightened it back down but then was wondering "how tight is tight?" Do I tighten it all the way down snug, or should the pickups "springy float" when I push them. Is there a fix to prevent the screws from coming out? I'm not mechanical at all.

Can one of you guys in the shop put down your sledgehammer for a minute and give me some advice? 'preciate it! :D
 
from a similar thread

Music Man repair guru and Gardener Supreme said:
jongitarz said:
Make sure you use a "service removable" thread locker for small screws. Loctite Item # 22231 is what I use
Click to expand...

So, there you have it. Put a little of that Loctite on the pickup screw threads, set your pickup where you want it, and you're done.
 
Mahlon said:
I tightened it back down but then was wondering "how tight is tight?" Do I tighten it all the way down snug,
Click to expand...
As the sailor once said, "I think knot."
Mahlon said:
or should the pickups "springy float" when I push them.
Click to expand...
As the tailor once said, "I think sew."

The springs under the pickups are there for a reason, no? If tightening the pickup all the way down snug were always the right thing to do, there wouldn't be springs...just screws. So...while you MIGHT tighten the screws all the way if that's the height at which you want the pickup, I'd say chances are you don't want it that low.

IIRC, set the pickup too close to the strings and the strength of the magnets will prevent the string from vibrating freely.

BTW, when I tried out a Bongo last weekend I swapped strings on it. The magnets in those pickups are STRONG. When I loosened the string, snap...it got pulled onto the pickup and it stuck there. I don't ever remember that happening before on other basses.
 
The thread locker stuff worked excellently. Problem solved. Details here...

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6894

Strangely enough my new Bongo is doing the same thing. I don't hear of too many others having the rising pickup problem. Perhaps it's the way we play, lean into the pickup with our thumbs...? maybe it's from banging the bass around. I play pretty hard. Uhhh... Freudian slip there that I won't delete... go ahead, have a field day with that one if you feel so inclined.

Gotta go locktite my new screwz.
 
I hear you guys talking about it occasionally, but I have to say - no personal experience with visibly excited pickups here.
 
My first Bongo did it. It was extremely annoying, especially in the studio, as it changed within minutes. Good thing I got to take that one back on an exchange!
 
I never had the problem so no cure needed.

If I had the problem I would seek professional help. This is the place for that and I would fill the prescription.

Speaking for me only here.


tk
 
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