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theshadowofseattle

Just bought this body. In dismantling my current BTJM, I found that a ground wire snakes through a hole near the high e bridge post cup and presumably grounds to it.

Looking at the pic of the body I got, I think the guy removed this wire. How do I pull the cup out to attach a new ground wire? Can it be done without damage?
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Casual_Reader · . Joined: 25 Sep 2013 Posts: 33

if you drop something in the hole and screw in the stud or same threaded bolt, the stud/bolt will pull the bushing up as you slowly screw it in. A little heat from a soldering iron may help.

George · . Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 20781 Location: UK

theshadowofseattle · Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 5:11 pm Post subject:

Unacceptable. Nope.
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cur · . Joined: 18 Jan 2009 Posts: 7292

Have you tried to pry it up with a butter knife under the liP? Use something to act as a fulcrum and to protect the body. It might come out easily. If not, people say to stick a hot soldering iron in the cup for 30 seconds or so or loosen it from any paint or adhesive and then pry with butter knife.

Also, you don't really have to attach the ground wire to the cup. I grounded my jag bridge by stripping about 1 cm of insulation off the grounding wire, and spreading and bending the free wire and threading it out of the cup hole (put kinks in the stripped end so it does not pull out of thimble hole easily). Then just mashed the thimble back in the hole. All you need is a little contact to ground the thing. You can test for conductivity. When the strings are on it will force strong contact.
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DGNR8 · . Joined: 30 Sep 2006 Posts: 4209 Location: DC Area

As said, I would heat it slightly with a soldering iron and pull with pliers. Other variations include putting something over the body to protect it and angling in a screwdriver or chisel to pry it slightly, to get a better grasp with pliers. To protect the cup you can use tape or cloth or paper etc. to grab it. On occasion where I HAD to remove one for painting that wouldn't budge (because of paint or glue) I have rocked a fat Phillips back and forth to break the seal. This sounds barbaric, but it can be done carefully. Take your time.
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DGNR8 · . Joined: 30 Sep 2006 Posts: 4209 Location: DC Area

Although hell, where is the science in that? Doesn't metal expand in heat?
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benecol · Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 11:22 pm Post subject:

theshadowofseattle · Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 12:11 am Post subject:

Metal expands in heat, widens the hole, makes the ferrule fit more loosely. Wood also softens in heat because the density is lowered. Makes sense.
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cur · . Joined: 18 Jan 2009 Posts: 7292

The expansion of the cup is negligible in consideration to the drilled wooden hole. What is holding it in place is adhesive in nature - paint, glue, clear coat. You need to soften that. It is not super tight like a metal bushing in metal where you need to put in on dry ice to shrink it a bit to fit. If it was that tight in the wooden hole, the wooden fibers would have been crushed. If that were the case, you could put some dry ice in the cup and it would drop right out.
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Casual_Reader · . Joined: 25 Sep 2013 Posts: 33

Awstin · . Joined: 14 Jan 2012 Posts: 3933 Location: Pennsylvania

Just take a good set of pliers and squeeze it tight, then pull. It's what i have always done. Rolling Eyes

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h8mtv · . Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Posts: 1020 Location: Virginia

Ummmmm, why not just ground to the trem?

Doog · Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 3:17 pm Post subject:

Yeah, my CIJ Jazzmaster is grounded to the tailpiece; helluva lot easier with the same effect.
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theshadowofseattle · Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 7:12 pm Post subject:

Hole is already drilled, seems easier to just use that
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Doog · Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 2:08 pm Post subject:

serfx · Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 7:24 am Post subject:

I thought there was a thread recently on removing those cups.. but I can't find it..

anyways, I usually heat them up a little with the soldiering gun, then use some clamp pliers (or whatever those are actually called) and very gently pull them out.

previously i have taken a small pen knife and pried them up a bit (if say mustang cups that i can't thread a screw in and pull them out that way..) and then again taken clamp pliers..
though the key is to not use much force.. as you can chip the paint, or dent the guitar.. but with the right amount works like a charm, just takes a bit of time and patience.

theshadowofseattle · Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2014 4:01 pm Post subject:

It was actually hella easy. Like. Unnervingly easy. Just pinch it with pliers and it pulled up with a gentle tug.
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cur · . Joined: 18 Jan 2009 Posts: 7292

h8mtv · . Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Posts: 1020 Location: Virginia