Ripper pickup question

Denis · September 09, 2011, 08:28:19 AM

Working on trying to finish up my early Ripper project and I have a couple of questions.
1. I think, but am not sure, that the pickups sat on foam padding adhered to the bottom of the pup cavities. Correct?
2. Did the pickups have springs underneath like T-bird pups?
3. Does anyone have any spare pup screws and the springs if required?
Thanks!

ramone57 · September 09, 2011, 10:36:14 AM

1. yes
2. screws only, through the pickup
3. if you source any, be sure to post, please.

good luck! I'd love to progress pics if you have 'em

Denis · September 09, 2011, 01:59:17 PM

Thanks for the info!
If I find a source I'll definitely post it.

Dave W · September 09, 2011, 02:09:16 PM

Mouse pads make an excellent substitute for foam padding.

dadagoboi · September 09, 2011, 02:42:22 PM

Quote from: Dave W on September 09, 2011, 02:09:16 PM
Mouse pads make an excellent substitute for foam padding.

closed cell heavy duty weather stripping 1/2" x1/2" also works

What do the screws look like and how long are they?

exiledarchangel · September 09, 2011, 03:01:35 PM

Must be very long screws, since they go thru the complete pickup. +1 for that mouse pad trick.

dadagoboi · September 09, 2011, 05:00:20 PM

I use these on Thunderbird type pickups, 1.5 inches, 38mm, long.
http://www.allparts.com/Nickel-Soap-Bar-Pickup-Mounting-Screws-p/gs-3312-001.htm?CartID=3

ramone57 · September 09, 2011, 07:11:53 PM

those might work but I don't have any originals to match them against. the screws I used on my ripper aren't quite right; the heads are too 'tall'.

edit: I went to place an order and didn't feel like paying 7 bills for shipping. Carlo, you're a Allparts dealer?

Denis · September 09, 2011, 07:53:51 PM

Something about the heads on those don't look right. First, I think they should be slotted for a Ripper, not Philips. They also sit low in the cavity so they don't sit above the pup body.

dadagoboi · September 09, 2011, 08:45:41 PM

Quote from: Denis on September 09, 2011, 07:53:51 PM
Something about the heads on those don't look right. First, I think they should be slotted for a Ripper, not Philips. They also sit low in the cavity so they don't sit above the pup body.

Pretty sure Gibson stopped using slotted screws before Rippers. These are the smallest head screws out there and they have very small diameter threads, actually a tiny bit smaller than original Thunderbird screws. Jumbodbasman has these screws on his JAEbirds, maybe he can help since he has a Ripper with hang tags.

Denis · September 09, 2011, 09:18:30 PM

Hmm, I could have been talking out my butt by accident. My '80 Ripper has Phillips heads to hold down the pups but the screws in the pups themselves (I guess for attaching the covers to the guts are slotted. I may be crossed up.
I'd love to know what Jumbodbasman says!

ramone57 · September 10, 2011, 05:23:40 AM

on the early rippers, the screws went through the pickup to secure them in place. the later ones utilized three tabs. 2 on the sides, the third was centered on the front of the pickup. the pole pieces are liked slotted set screws on both versions.

dadagoboi · September 10, 2011, 05:40:27 AM

Those are pretty big screws, much larger than the ones I was talking about. Shouldn't be that difficult to replace. BTW, replacement pole piece screws are easy to find if necessary.

ramone57 · September 10, 2011, 06:00:28 AM

yeah, I know. the screws aren't original. the heads should be flatter. couldn't find anything better to use and I wanted to play the bass.

PhilT · September 10, 2011, 10:39:43 AM

Screws on my '74 are slotted and countersunk with a shallow dome.

This is what was under the pickups when the bass came to me , though I don't know if that foam is original.

The works of my pickups are loose in the covers, so if you don't pack them enough, the pole screws drop down below the holes. Is that usual? In my '78 they're firmly glued in.