Mark,
Having completed a Hi-Gain-to-Vintage Pickup swap on my 4003S, I'm initially quite satisfied with the bass's tone and output, but feel that the neck-position Toaster pickup can safely go about 1/8" higher.
The problem is, it feels like either the threaded tabs are mashed against the rubber grommets, or possibly, I failed to rout enough under the pickup in the new position. I routed approx. 1/2 to 3/4" deep under the new pickguard hole (a 4001V63 guard).
Can I safely use a thinner o-ring or gasket in place of those grommets?
Thanks for any advice,
Garry
400x Toaster Height adjustment
Moderator: jingle_jangle
400x Toaster Height adjustment
The ideal mix leaves the bass player louder than the rest of the band put together!
Cut the rubber grommet in half with a razor blade .That helps out .
Another thing that I do , is remove the corner screws and nuts and install rivots .They can be removed if need be , but are extremely low to the cover in height.
They also help to get the pickup closer.
DON'T over tighten the screws mounting the pickups in the guard ...you WILL crack the plexiglass.
These screws are NOT height adjustment screws per say ..they really are just mounting screws.
But with a little cleverness , it can be made to work a little better .
Another thing that I do , is remove the corner screws and nuts and install rivots .They can be removed if need be , but are extremely low to the cover in height.
They also help to get the pickup closer.
DON'T over tighten the screws mounting the pickups in the guard ...you WILL crack the plexiglass.
These screws are NOT height adjustment screws per say ..they really are just mounting screws.
But with a little cleverness , it can be made to work a little better .
So you too want yours "ALAPWOB"?!?!
If you want the toaster PU to be able to draw up as close as possible, with No chance of cracking the pickguard with those 4 corner screws, you might try what I did for a couple friends with 4001 basses that originally had the hi gains in them.First, get some sticky backed aluminum duct tape, the stuff with peel off backing.Next, measure the distance[the long way] between the two corner screws on a long side.Then, cut 2 thin strips of this tape, one for each long side of the PU cover,not quite as long as the distance between the 2 screws, and maybe 1/4" wide.Now, take each strip of tape, peel the back off of it, and wrap the tape around the top edge of the PU cover ,and also around the backside of the PU, dividing the amount of width evenly on front and back of the 2 long sides of the PU.This serves to hold the cover to the back plate.Now, you remove all 4 corner screws,which are no longer needed to hold the cover on, as the tape, and ultimately, the 2 machine screws that hold the PU to the guard ,are doing this now.Then, mount the PU back onto the pickguard and install the 2 small machine screws that hold the PU on the guard,and get a small hex nut that fits the thread
on the mounting screw, to secure the ground lug that was previously attached to one corner of the back of the PU.You have now acheived the absolute maximum height that is possible to get with the neck toaster PU.And, the pickguard is in no danger of cracking anymore in this typically sensitive area.
on the mounting screw, to secure the ground lug that was previously attached to one corner of the back of the PU.You have now acheived the absolute maximum height that is possible to get with the neck toaster PU.And, the pickguard is in no danger of cracking anymore in this typically sensitive area.