Neck Pickup Question

[MaplegloMatt]

OK, supposedly there are no dumb questions, right? This one may be......I was removing the chrome surround around my neck pick up and noticed there was a small (about one inch) piece of gray insulation (stripped from the wiring leading to the pick up) that was wedged between the base of the pick up and the surround. When I removed the four screws and nuts that hold the assembly together, it fell out.

Is this insulation there for a reason? Grounding or stopping vibration between the surround and the pick up or was it just left there during the build process by mistake?

I've removed it and while I'm waiting for my new Pickguardian pickguard I could put it back but I'd be surprised if it was there for a reason.
Has anyone ever had any experience with this?
Thanks,
Matt

[Casiraghi22]

You are gonna have to wait for the "RickLords" to help you.

[cassius987]

I don't know but here's my guess: I think it helps prevent microphonics by absorbing some shock and bundles the coil together. In addition, if the coil frays in just one spot, the insulation may prevent it from becoming an issue by keeping it from touching earthed chrome. I doubt it could be very capacitative at all so there's little or no harm done by keeping it in the pickup assembly.

I would definitely put it back! I have some Jazz pickups and some of them, over the years, slowly loosened up at the coil and because there was none of this insulation they have become a lot harder to manage.

[jps]

Oh, no!

You have to put it back in exactly the same place it was and in the same orientation!

That is what produces the Tone.

[MaplegloMatt]

Well, if that famous Rickenbacker tone is in jeopardy then back it goes! Seriously, what the heck, if it's been in there all these years then I''ll keep it along for the ride.

[cassius987]

Yeah, there's no reason to get rid of it.

[Wiker]

My guess is it was put there to prevent the pickup from rattling inside the surround. I use a layer of insulation tape for the same reason. Neck pickups sometimes are a little loose inside the surround, and may rattle and buzz at some frequencies (mechanical buzz between pickup and surround). It doesn’t affect the signal from the pickup getting to the amp, but may still be quite annoying.

[johnallg]

It could have been in there by someone missing seeing in there while hurrying to assemble pickups and it could have been in there to stop the coil from rattling around in the metal enclosure. If the coil is not loose when the housing is together, then don't worry about it. If it is loose and moves, put it back in. None of the 20 or so pickups I have dealt with had this or were ever loose in the housing, so I think my first guess is right.