Anyone else notice that the newer MIM's dont have springs on the pickup adjuster screws, but have beed replaced with a rubber tube? Or is this only on mine? A cost reduction move of less small parts to lose when working on or modifing it? I kinda like the idea, but not sure of thr long term stability of the pickup adjustment.

My 08' MIM has the rubber tubing instead og the traditional springs. I did replace the tubing with springs though when I replaced the pups.

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"I like the way he puts Yngwie J. Malmsteen on his album covers. You know,....so you don't confuse him with all the other Yngwie Malmsteens in the business"


2008 Fender MIM Stratocaster
2010 Epiphone Masterbilt
2009 Fender Super Champ XD

It's all about cost cutting so that they can increase the profit margin without significantly raising the price of the guitar. Forget about passing the saving on to the players, it's just business.

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

My 88 Strat plus had tubing, and I like it, I think it's a little easier to work with. They grip the screws better and if you turn the pickguard over before they're screwed into the pickups, the screws won't fall out.

Seems like I've seen some have springs and some have rubber tubes. I'm not sure that they dont use whatever is available. Both seem to work okay, but I would rather have springs.

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"My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." Blazing Saddles...

I've always liked the springs infinitely better myself. Yet, if the tubes are doing the job with no qualms, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Notwithstanding, many players have encountered feedback issues with springs because if the springs are even the slightest bit loose, under high gain conditions, their pickups would vibrate; you know the rest. And yes, the tubes can be loose too but they are their own, 'shock absorber' so the effect is less pronounced. Besides, as said above, I'm sure the tubes are infinitely cheaper in terms of bulk distribution.

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You dig?

The surgical tubing has been around a long time. Nothing new. It's a great idea, and I honestly don't believe it's got that much to do with cost cutting.

Vinyl products are tied to the price of oil, so... it's quite possible this costs MORE than a metal spring. Haven't done my homework on that but... possible.

Get this. My Fender Highway 1 Stratocaster has the rubber tubing. My Squier CV 60 has springs. Both play and sound awesome. I know at some point I will have to replace the rubber tubing, but they work for now.

RK

I have tubbing on mine too, work fine no issues.

I prefer the little rubber tubes!! they hold right on to the screw for when you do pup swaps. i think its an improvement.

I was thinking same thing.

+1

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

The rubber tubes are better.

It's not a secret move by Fender to cut cost and screw the customer.

Even if it was, I'd be happy to substitute a little spring that I can't even see, if it helps them stay in business.

That's my view too. Sometimes it doesn't matter, but sometimes the springs just don't sit flat and so push the pickup crooked, front to back. The tubes can do that too if they're not cut straight - but then I do cut mine straight, so that's OK!

I have a length of tubing from which to cut pieces to size and found reason to replaced the springs on a couple of guitars.

So I have some spare sets of springs available, if anyone wants 'em...?

Cheers - C

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