Guys, I am in the middle of changing my hardware from chrome to gold and ran into an issue while swapping out the pick-up screws. I changed the neck and middle pups screws without a problem but the bridge pup is loose. At some point in the guitars past the previous owner put in a Fender Lace Sensor. This pick-up may have been loose all along but I just realized it after changing the screws. My question is, are there some sort of retainers on the pick-ups that allow the screws to secure the assembly while raising or lowering it to the desired height? I have the pup where I want it but if I grab the screws I can lift it up until it contacts the strings. There is obviously something missing or not connected correctly. When I shake the guitar I do not hear anything rattling around. What's wrong?

You need the short pieces of surgical tubing sandwiched between the pickguard and the bottom of the pickup bobbin. Some people upgrade these to coil springs.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Maybe I'm misinterpreting this post but didn't you install springs between the pickguard and the base of the pickup through the subject screws?

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You dig?

Ahh, my light bulb finally went on. Springs, of course. No Martian, I did not install springs. I simply removed the chrome screws and replaced them with gold ones. Does this mean that the bridge pick-up probably never had the springs or is it possible that the springs popped loose and are laying behind the pick guard somewhere? Where can I get replacement springs or the surgical tubing that Retroverbial speaks of and which is better?

There you go..

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/screws_pickupgenfen.htm

or

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/screws_pickup.htm

Screws are better, surgical tubing dries out, cracks and falls apart over time but especially from contaminants like the acidity from sweaty hands.

Many places online provide screws and springs or tubing
Do a Google search, faster than clicking on links pasted in reposts.

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

In this context, I believe you meant, "springs" and I wholeheartedly agree.

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You dig?

+1

I seldom deviate from Leo's original "recipe", either with amps or guitars, but this is one of those rare instances. The springs allow for more precise (and sustainable) adjustments since surgical tubing loses its elasticity over time then physically begins to shrink.

HTH

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

No..No... I meant screws,

Thanks for catching that, evidently multi-tasking is not possible with us.

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

And I replaced all mine with springs based on your recommendation

Sunburst, if you were local I'd give you some screws/springs, got a few extras left...

Thank you to everyone who helped me understand and offered solutions to my pick-up mounting issue. I can always count on the wealth of knowledge and the willingness to help a brother out which this forum supplies. I'm going with springs too.
Cedarblues, I'll be right down