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Historic LP JR DC pickup height

MCHolley

Member
Joined
May 30, 2004
Messages
600
All,

I have one of these and when I get my action low enough for me, some of the strings are way to close to the P90, and I need to remedy this.

has anyone else has this issue?

Thanks,

Mark
 

buyusfear

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 3, 2006
Messages
2,951
In short, this is poor build quality control.

You could re-fret with larger fretwire, that may buy you a bit of clearance.
You could try modify the dogear, sanding the base which would require a new pickup (soapbar style) or clipping the ear mounts, and re-mounting the pup inside the cavity with spacers or foam.

Ultimately action is action, so a neck reset is the correct way to remedy this, or a modified pickup.
 

renderit

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,950
The strings occasionally hit the pickup cover and scratch it up making it a gnarly looking.

Then it is like all of rest of them for 50 odd years.
 

El Gringo

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
The strings occasionally hit the pickup cover and scratch it up making it a gnarly looking.

Then it is like all of rest of them for 50 odd years.
You know that I actually like the look of an old nickel covered humbucker
 

Ccapilla

New member
Joined
Oct 7, 2018
Messages
17
To be fair, where one person sees a faulty build quality, another sees "true historic spec" in action. On my 1960, I can't set my action as low as I'd like because I bury the strings into the front of the pickup cover. So I set them a little higher and just turn everything up.
 

thin sissy

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 2, 2006
Messages
2,691
To be fair, where one person sees a faulty build quality, another sees "true historic spec" in action. On my 1960, I can't set my action as low as I'd like because I bury the strings into the front of the pickup cover. So I set them a little higher and just turn everything up.
Is it just the DC's? My '57 doesn't have this issue.

Could you maybe file down the top of the cover and gain 0,5-1,0 mm? I don't know how thick the covers are, but maybe...?
 

MCHolley

Member
Joined
May 30, 2004
Messages
600
Is it just the DC's? My '57 doesn't have this issue.

Could you maybe file down the top of the cover and gain 0,5-1,0 mm? I don't know how thick the covers are, but maybe...?
Hi,

I don’t have this on mine either, it.s just the 58 Double Cut, cause of the neck joint being different. I tried filing it down some, but it still hits.

That was really my question, is that just what comes with this guitar? If so, I can certainly make it work. Just checking.

I appreciate all the responses,

Mark
 

buyusfear

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 3, 2006
Messages
2,951
Sorry. Some of you guys mistook my post for opinion.

I’ll try be more clear.

This overly shallow neck angle is wrong.
Chalking it up to “vintage” doesn’t fly.

Poorly assembled. Likely due to being poorly sanded/over sanded at final fitting or more likely, some extra glue built up under the tenon and changed the angel at glue up. I’ve had this happen.

As a guitar builder; and someone who has studied countless vintage juniors, and taken notes on what the “perfect” vintage accurate neck angle is…
This is wrong. It’s too shallow. End of story.
Not the greatest news. But you asked the question.

A string that sitar’s against the dogear is not acceptable.
Yes strings make marks. This isn’t that scenario. And I bet it’s only an issue when you’re gently palm muting?
I know this. I’ve seen this exact action on a Junior.

An easier test. Take a straight edge long enough to lay flat along a good part of the fretboard as well as touch the pickip.
On the low or high E planes (where the radius of the board is lowest in relation to the top of the pickup) it should just barely kiss or clear the dogear.
If it hits. It’s too low.

If you can make this work, that’s all that matters. I preferred to not sugar coat my answer. No offense intended.
 
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