Opinion on metal mounting rings?

[Timmsie95]

I'm going to get chrome metal humbucker mounting rings for my VIP build, but I'm not sure if I'd rather put a black plastic ring under them, or just the chrome rings directly on the body. What do you think? I'm leaning towards using the plastic underneath.

 

[bagman67]

You're gonna mar the surface either way, if that's a concern.  If you're building a guitar with an angled neck (Regal, VIP, Strat or Tele with non-recessed TOM), you may want to lay them on top of the staggered plastic rings that take the angle into account.  Looks-wise, it's all a matter of taste.

 

[Timmsie95]

yeah the height was the main question. now that you mention it, the plastic underneath would make more sense.

 

[dmraco]

I like the real thin metal ones.   

 

[Verne Bunsen]

Comments edited after re-reading the OP...

I'm not familiar with what bridge you'll be using, but that's a consideration. If it's a low bridge, the low profile metal rings will be perfect. If it's a taller TOM type bridge, you'll benefit from the extra height (and possibly the angled option) of the plastic rings. The metal rings on top of the plastic rings should work fine physically, but the aesthetic may or may not be appealing.

 

[stratamania]

Wood rings...

 

[Logrinn]

Can you not get metal rings high enough like plastic ones?
Or are they only made in a low version?

If they are only made low and you would like them higher (it's the pickup that might need to get higher, but ...) maybe you could put two metal rings on top of each other?

 

[Timmsie95]

Wood rings...

Aah, don't tell me that! Now i have more options...


And they do make tall metal rings, but the ones warmth carries are thin metal, and I'm trying to get as much of my parts from warmth as i can, to save on shipping.

 

[Cagey]

I've seen a couple times where guys put the thin metal rings on top of the plastic rings to get the best of both worlds.

 

[treyhaislip]

You're gonna mar the surface either way, if that's a concern.  If you're building a guitar with an angled neck (Regal, VIP, Strat or Tele with non-recessed TOM), you may want to lay them on top of the staggered plastic rings that take the angle into account.  Looks-wise, it's all a matter of taste.

+1 to this, I agree

 

[Surf n Music n Ski n Bike]

I'm putting together a VIP. I went with metal direct. It turned out clean. They are right though. Make sure you set em where you need em. Directly underneath the rings there are pressure marks. As long as you get em right it will be clean.

 

[Timmsie95]

When I see that, it makes me think that the tall plastic ring would be too tall...

 

[Surf n Music n Ski n Bike]

Well with the angled neck pocket (at least on this one) the bridge sits high. I'm planning on deepening the pocket a tad to lower the bridge and get everything nice and tight. With a higher bridge I think a thicker back one would look good.

 

[Cagey]

When I see that, it makes me think that the tall plastic ring would be too tall...

Do you have any guitar stores in your neighborhood? Go have a look around. You can see anywhere from a couple dozen to maybe a hundred or more instruments and get some idea of how the various pickup mounting/bridge combinations look.

 

[Timmsie95]

When I see that, it makes me think that the tall plastic ring would be too tall...

Do you have any guitar stores in your neighborhood? Go have a look around. You can see anywhere from a couple dozen to maybe a hundred or more instruments and get some idea of how the various pickup mounting/bridge combinations look.

I do, but there aren't any wraparound style bridges here, for some reason. But most of my guitars have a tune o matic bridge, and i assume it's pretty close, height wise.