Suggestions on adapting mounting screws?

[diablo175]

Trying to install an EMG SA in the neck position of one of my Cali's. The previous p'up was a hard wire SA. Whoever installed it used a "receiver" driven into the bottom of the p'up cavity. You know the rest- screw p'up down to the body blah blah blah.

Here's the issue- the screws for the new p'up don't match the receiver. I have a set that does but they're rather long- won't fit all the way in. Don't own a Dremel but I do have a hack saw. Could possibly shorten screws to fit but run the risk of mangling the threads.

Suggestions?

[carfish7]

Sounds like a trip to the hardware store is in order. Getting screws that fit will be easier than the task of setting it up to be a direct-mount without the inserts (pull, plug, drill).

Any idea what size and length you need?

Got a belt-sander?

[diablo175]

Sadly, I have no way of determining what diameter size the screw is. Length can be estimated easily enough.

I think a trip to the parent's house is in order- dad has a Dremel... GOTTA be easier than trying to guesstimate the diameter of the screw and finding one short enough...

[carfish7]

Most good hardware stores have a little setup with a bunch of incrementally larger nuts or tapped holes in standard and metric sizes so you can bring in your screw and just try out all the various sizes and pitches to determine what you need. Then, you find the bin with the corresponding new piece in your size. If you are seeking black it gets tougher sometimes though. Drag it down the Ace and see what they can set you up with.

The Dremel will work if you use a thin cutoff wheel. I asked about the sander because you can bevel the end where the cut is made so it is slightly rounded and then "bypass" the threads that get compromised.

[coolfeel]

Yes - go by a Home Depot or Lowes and visit their hardware department (unless you have an Ace closer) they will have the screw/nut matching platform carfish is referring to. Pretty easy to match up that way, however, a smaller - more hardware/tool specific store - will likely have the harder to find sizes that come on a guitar.

[RichRS6]

If you can find a couple of nuts that fit the thread correctly, spin a couple of them on the screw and lock them together at the length you need before you start cutting then file any remaining threads down to the level of the nut. When you take them off they will clean up any mashed up threads.

[veatch]

^^^

This, but as stated, any good hardware store should be able to help you determine what you need.

Ace and Acco are usually very good at this.

[diablo175]

The good news is- I found a way to install the p'up but it ain't pretty. Secure? Yes. But the screw head sticks up a full 1/3 - 1/2 inch above the base of the p'up's screw holes. As noted, a quick bit of Dremel-ing and a bit of light filing around the tip and it'll be as attractive as it is functional.

[diablo175]

If you can find a couple of nuts that fit the thread correctly, spin a couple of them on the screw and lock them together at the length you need before you start cutting then file any remaining threads down to the level of the nut. When you take them off they will clean up any mashed up threads.

Excellent advice. My buddy ran into a similar situation and advised this very same tactic.