ShoBud Pickup

[mick hearn]

when I bought my ShoBud 6139 it was fitted with a Lawrence pickup which is nice but I get a more of a compressed sound from it. Fortunately I still have the original ShoBud pickup. The difference between the two is like comparing a Les Paul to a Tele -the single coil v humbucker. The ShoBud pickup gives me the Tele sound which I prefer however there is one big problem. The mounting screws pass through the pickup coil and acts like another pole piece. Consequently it is very microphonic and every pedal movement comes through the amp. I should think the original mounting screws have long since gone so am not aware of the metal used, and had to get a couple from the DIY store.

I have wax potted pickups before so would not be afraid of doing this if that is the problem. Personally I think its the mounting screws. The question is if I replace them with a non ferrous material will it cure the problem or is it the fact that the vibration of the pedals moving through the guitar is picked by the screws and then pushed through to the amp due to the screw location through the coil?

[Will C]

I was going to suggest some nylon screws, Mick. Only one way to find out - but if it's a microphonic pickup, I reckon wax potting could help.

[mick hearn]

Thanks for that Will - never thought of nylon screws.

My Gretsch Country Gent used to squeal like a banshee if I got too close to the amp, so swapped the bridge pickup for a TV Jones. Bad move as it completely changed the sound especially with both pickups on. With heart in my mouth I took the original Gretsch pickups and wax potted them. Best thing I ever did. I was worried that some of the characteristic sound would go but it didn't.