pal1972 Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 just got my hands on a new bass but the pup screws are all schewed up and i want hem out to replacethem! tried pressing really hard with a screwdriver but just keeps turning and chewing them up even more!!! any ideas how to get them out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 If you can, try and push the pickup down as far as you can, and then grip the head with a pair of mole grips or pliers and get plenty of leverage on it, but try not to scratch the pickup casing like i did. Might easier if you get someone else to hold the pickup down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodaxe Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 [quote name='pal1972' post='800382' date='Apr 8 2010, 11:28 PM']just got my hands on a new bass but the pup screws are all schewed up and i want hem out to replacethem! tried pressing really hard with a screwdriver but just keeps turning and chewing them up even more!!! any ideas how to get them out?[/quote] If the heads are raised, see if you can get a pair of pliers to grip & tweak them round, it'll take an age, but they should go. Alternatively... They're more than likely quite soft as screws go, so try this... Find a narrow electronics/jewellers' screwdriver with a FLAT blade that's just a tad smaller than what remains of the crosspoint slot in the screw. Put it in position, give it a tap with something to get it to bite, & apply pressure whilst turning to keep it engaged. If that doesn't work, you'll have to get the Dremel out & drill/grind the heads off, then take the pickups out & ferret the screw stubs out with pliers. If you end up drilling 'em out, stick some tape over the poles of the p/ups to stop all the shrapnel sticking to them. Pete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman69 Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 or just burn it out, Hendrix style.. sorry just gettin my coat* ps.. if its easily accessible you can cut a groove for a flat blade screwdriver with a junior hacksaw. Good luck with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 or cut a groove in the head with a Dremel disc cutter. Wear eye protection as they can break quite easily and unexpectedly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Heeley Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 One more method while you're at it - soldering iron on the head of the screw. the screw gets hot and expands just a little, when it cools a bit it can be easier to unscrew. I'd just grab the head with pliers and start twisting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 I wouldn't do that^ if there's any plastic about. That could get messy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Heeley Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 Good point, works well for old Cortina sump plugs though..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 The last time this happened to me I nipped the heads off the screws, removed the pups & clamped a small mole grip on the shafts of the screws - as said above, took a long time, but came out. G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pal1972 Posted April 12, 2010 Author Share Posted April 12, 2010 sorted! thanks guys, fortunately there was just enough space to push the pups right down and get hold of the screws with a pair of long nosed pliers, and 5 minutes later new screws fitted!! plus some additional foam under pups so icould adjust hight better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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