P90s - soapbars & dogears - a Q

TTony

The Q is whether soapbars and dogears are usually different heights - and if a soapbar was converted to dogear format (by replacing the baseplate) would it then become taller than a made-as-dogear pickup?

I've got a pickup that was (IIRC) originally a soapbar, but was switched to dogear format, I think just by changing the baseplate.  It doesn't now fit into a dogear cover as the pickup is too tall - the baseplate mounts protrude about 2-3mm below the bottom of the cover rather than fitting snugly into the recesses in the cover under the mounting screws.

I could mod the body by adding a 2-3mm recess into the body so that the cover then fitted flush against the body, but that's a bit irreversible if I subsequently wanted to swap the dogear for something/anything else - all or part of those new body recesses would always be visible.

So checking that there's not something else silly/obvious that I've not considered ...

SteveRobinson

The bodies are the same, only the baseplates differ. The height of the top above the body is determined by how the "dog ears" are bent.

SteveRobinson

You could re-bend the dog ears to make the pickup lower, or add a spacer underneath the tabs if you want it higher.

TTony

Thanks @SteveRobinson

I think I'd have to try rebending the baseplate - it needs to be low to fit under the strings on a LP Jr with a shallower-than-usual neck angle.

Hmmmmm ...


[edit]
On second thoughts, I might just buy a baseplate as a part and see if that would fit better.  I'd probably break the original one anyway!

[edit edit]
And axesrus have "long leg" dog ear baseplates - though only in 47.50 and 50.00 spacings - fingers crossed whilst I go measure the pickup!

TTony

@SteveRobinson - you are a genius, or - at very least - a knowledgeable chap.

SteveRobinson said:

You could re-bend the dog ears to make the pickup lower, 

 Pair of pliers, a little care, and job done.

SteveRobinson

Well done. Your "Qualified Guitar Technician" certificate is in the post.