Is it called a metal screw insert?

[Jeff R]

You can direct mount pickups to a body with either a.) wood screws directly into wood, or b.) a metal screw that threads into a cylindrical little metal brassy thingie thing that's flush down into the wood. LIke the insert (?) on a stop- or wraptail that the tailpiece screws into, but waaay smaller.

So I don't look stupid asking at my local hardware store, what is the cylindrical little metal brass thingie thing that's flush down into the wood really called? Is it a metal screw insert?

[FrankieIII]

Female threaded insert or collar. It's described as a stud insert here:

http://audiozone.dk/index-filer/TremoloInfoProject.htm

[cynic]

You may want to check out hobby shops for something like this

I'm pretty sure the size you're looking for is the 4-40, but someone else should confirm.

[Bloozguy]

They're usually just called threaded inserts...just make sure you specify that they are going into wood.

I'm pretty sure the size you're looking for is the 4-40, but someone else should confirm.

Single coil pickups usually have 6-32 thread mounting screws. If you're direct mounting them you can use 4-40 screws to avoid drilling out the threaded holes in the pickup base. Most humbucker mounting screws are 3-48 thread...and you'll probably never find a threaded insert in that size so you'll have to drill out the mounting holes to fit a 4-40 screw.

[murkat]

^ they have all sizes and threading at Ace hardware.

Bring a screw with you for proper fitment, etc.

[Jeff R]

Thanks for all the input. I'm going to look for that 4-40 screw insert for the neck pickup at the hardware store tonight. I paid a pretty penny for the pickup I'm mounting (I went with the James Tyler Hot Laura with an Alnico II magnet, JTG was winding it for me this week) and I'd prefer not to drill it out just yet, in the event it ends up on a pickguard someday.

No way I'm going to drill out the bridge humbucker (my prized double cream JB from Murkat's stash), so likely we'll just have to go with a cream mounting ring for it.