Sponge under Pickup

[BigBeatNut]

May look like a dumb question but bear with me ... the most technical I usually get with a bass is action and truss-rod adjustments.

Is there anything special about the sponge that goes under pickups ?

I have a '79 P that's been owned from new (with no maintenance to speak of) and I've just noticed that on one side the pickup isn't holding it's position ... if you push it down there's not enough springiness to bring it back up to the right height.

Now I presume there's sponge under the pickup that has rotted, and all I've got to do is replace it.

Anything particular I need to look out for ? Can I use any old sponge that's lying about ... or are there particular kinds that are prone to rotting in a short period of time ?

Cheers, Andy

[Delberthot]

I think you can use anything. I normally use the sponge that comes with new pickups in the packaging.


You may not want to use a yellow sponge for obvious reasons. I suppose anything dark would do.

[GreeneKing]

I've used some neophrene with good results. Stuff that keeps it restitution is good.

[Al Heeley]

Strips of that foam mat you use to lie on when you go camping - resiliant and long lasting with the right amount of give.

[bassmachine2112]

hiho,mouse mat,everybody has a few of these. I knew there had to be a use for the things

[Deep Thought]

You can get proper ones from Allparts-bottom of the page:-

[url="http://www.allparts.uk.com/allparts-guitar-parts/pickup-parts-c-277_1_112.html?p=shop"]http://www.allparts.uk.com/allparts-guitar...112.html?p=shop[/url]

[BigBeatNut]

Okay ... looks like I've got quite a few options ... sure I can manage one of those. Thanks, all.

[Dr.Dave]

Mousemat's a great idea - I've been meaning to replace the stuff on mine for ages. I was fiddling with the pups at a gig and lost the foams somewhere so I stuffed it with bog roll. Been like that about 5 years!

[yorks5stringer]

Bogroll...useful if you are caught short on stage as well....................

[wizbat]

Just replace the sponge with springs mounted below the pickup base.
job done!

[ahpook]

???

[Lfalex v1.1]

[quote name='wizbat' post='442137' date='Mar 23 2009, 12:39 AM']Just replace the sponge with springs mounted below the pickup base.
job done![/quote]
Warwicks are so equipped, but it's not to everyone's taste in terms of the way that the pickups push in and "ping" back up...

[tischbein]

+1 on the springs.. also surgical rubber tubing on the srews is a good solution. You use very srew seperately to achieve the right pickup height, which doesn´t alway work with the sponges. Plus sponges harden over time...aaahh, who cares..

[d-basser]

rubber tubing is what Dingwall use, works well

[Owen]

Stick with the old sponge otherwise you will not get THE TONE!

[Jobiebass]

[quote name='owen' post='447755' date='Mar 27 2009, 10:15 PM']Stick with the old sponge otherwise you will not get THE TONE![/quote]

+10000000000000


but on a serious note, I might get my wetsuit and scissors out.