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can you file the pole pieces so they are flat instead of staggered?

(so i can fit mustang PU covers on my strat pickups)

just push them down.

thank you

day nawda.

I'd never push them down, EVER, you can break the coil windings. Break one coil, dead pickup. I know people have done it without that happening, but it can still very much happen.

...Dude, just get the proper pickups if you need them to fit under Robroes or something.

You CAN file them down though. If you do, mask off the coil and bobbin, and blow off the shavings with an air compressor, or you'll have nasty stuck jagged pieces of metal magnetically stuck to your pickup.

balls, I have pushed loads down no problem. don't be a pussy. push em down.

I've pushed loads of them down without a problem too. 1 did break though. There is a slight risk involved.

The pickup construction can be a factor too, certain modern ceramic singles can't break, as the polepieces are isolated from the coil within the bobbin, and there's plastic between them...

But in any vintage construction single, that's not the case, there's a chance of breaking... Especially if it's an old pickup initially where everything's a bit weak. If you're dealing with a pickup that costs $50+ even, why not just sell it, or just buy the correct one in the first place.

(actually Aug ground the ones on my Mustang down... Though I don't know whether he knew you could push them or not)

I have no vintage experience with pushing the pole pieces down, but I've pushed loads of squier and mim strat pup's down/up with no problems. I think they are supposed to be movable for tone adjustment purposes vs. string height. etc.

i pushed them down already, haven't tested them yet, there wasn't a ton of resistance so i am not really worried

just checked, they're fine. thanks for the concern though.