Making a direct-installed pickup usable for a pickup ring?

[Ignoramus]

So the good news -- I was able to buy 2 used pickups I've always wanted to tried at a great price.
The not-so-good news -- These pickups were direct-installed and obviously will not work with a pickup ring.

I've read about some that solder a small bolt (nut) to the pickup. Has anyone done this? Anything to help this Ignoramus?

 

[LCW]

I think you mean solder a small nut. But you could just solder up the hole and use the right drill size for the pickup ring screw and then just screw into that hole. It will thread form itself.

 

[Jarick]

I've done that a few times by soldering brass hex nuts to the underside of the pickup mounting holes.

What I did was put a chrome or stainless steel humbucker screw with spring into the top of the pickup hole then tighten the brass nut on the bottom so it's really snug. The screw/spring holds the nut in place. Then you solder all the way around the brass nut to tack it to the pickup. You may need to scratch the underside of the pickup so solder sticks to it if it's stainless steel. But the solder should not stick to the screw so you can just unscrew it and then you have your pickup fixed. You won't be able to see the repair once it's installed. And you can reverse back to direct mount by removing the solder.

FYI pickup mounting screws are #3-48 so that's the size nut you'd want.

 

[Ignoramus]

Great info, gents. Thank you!