Buying replacement pickups

[MartinBarre]

now I've learned you can't easily adjust humbucker height if it's directly mounted... jeez...

Not sure why not. Using different thicknesses of foam would allow you to adjust the height just like you can with a single coil directly mounted. No?

[toejam]

Not sure why not. Using different thicknesses of foam would allow you to adjust the height just like you can with a single coil directly mounted. No?

Yes, this is true. My '94 Dinky HX has EMGs with foam under them, and they do adjust easily. I don't remember the original pups having any foam in there, but they definitely got it with the EMGs to raise them closer to the strings.

I've also got two Carvins with direct-mounted pups... a 7-string with their stock pickups, and an 8-string with a Duncan Nazgul that I sent them and they installed at their factory for me. I don't know if there's foam underneath them, but the heights are perfect as is.

[toejam]

so use pick up rings.

Exactly. If it's that bothersome, install some rings.

[jdr94]

Well when "replacing" pickups, you should have original screws right? Dont see why duncan would need to send that. As for adjustment, i do 2 things when i have a direct mount. 1 i do the foam thing but use the plastic foam or bubble foam, idk what its called. Then i use a single spring and cut it to the length needed to be in the range i want to adjust within and place the spring under the tab

[paranoid]

the whole purpose of direct mounting is to get the pick up solid mounted to the body so it will be solid. if you are gonna mount them in foam, you might as well use the rings, or how ever the originals were mounted. custom built guitars with hard mounted pickups have been designed into to guitar and should not need adjustment if done correctly.

[jdr94]

Hmmm learn somethin everyday. I thought it was just cause some people didnt like the look of pickup rings. Since pickup height was always players preference i thought there was always foam under to give some wiggle room.

[Newc]

I have seen no evidence supporting the notion that direct mounting yields more output or has any other tonal benefit. None. Ever.

EVH was the first with that (IIRC) out of necessity, because he was putting a humbucker into a Strat, without the pickguard, which is, of course, where the pickup would normally mount. In an effort to capitalize on this "innovation" and the pursuit of that sound, people wanted their pickups direct mounted. Hence, it became "a thing".

As for SD pickups coming with 'everything you need to mount your pickups", they do - the normal way. Ring, ring screws, pickup height screws, springs. Put the pickup in the ring, put the ring in the cavity, put the Floyd back on the guitar, align the poles under the strings, and tap your pilot holes for the ring screws. Problem over.