Different Type of Polepiece

ibanezrocks

HardtailPisser
I read in another thread about someone changing the polepieces on their screaming demon from allen screws to standard screws. I was wondering what difference does the type of screw make to the sound of the pickup?
 
Re: Different Type of Polepiece

I changed the screws to allen on a DD for a friend and the articulation of the pickup changed dramatically to the good...
 
Re: Different Type of Polepiece

Yeah I go hex poles if I want a tighter more focused sound which works well for the bridge pickup, especially one with a ceramic magnet like the DD.

Conversely, you can remove allen poles for screw poles and take away some of the high end and a warmer sound. This does work well for the Demon and I did just that for a Demon in the NECK position and it was still to trebely high end in that ash Peavey T-60 I have. The double screws mellowed it out just perfect. Strangely enough I paired that with a Parallel Axis Distortion Trembucker PA-TB2 for the bridge. One of my more played axes now!
 
Re: Different Type of Polepiece

Could anyone explain how to do this? Switch screws that is. I can't find any tutorials on this :( I wouldn't mind doing it to the Custom...
 
Re: Different Type of Polepiece

Pierre said:
Could anyone explain how to do this? Switch screws that is. I can't find any tutorials on this :( I wouldn't mind doing it to the Custom...
+1, someone told me a while back. I believe you order the hex screws direct from DiMarzio, just call them up and you can order direct from them.
 
Re: Different Type of Polepiece

take a screw drive or hex wrench and simply unscrew the polepiece...take that polepiecs to the local hardware store and get a screw or hex screw that has the same threads and is the correct length and screw it back into the pickup.
 
Re: Different Type of Polepiece

What material should we use? I'm guessing not all sound the same, but what's usually used?
 
Re: Different Type of Polepiece

Does anyone know why such a small difference affects the sound? :) Also, it's said that hex screws diminish the output a bit. Is that true?
 
Re: Different Type of Polepiece

5/40 threads is the correct size. Length can vary, and I guess the rule of thumb here is the shorter the screw length the more treble for output and the longer the screw the less treble or more bass. I think the standard length of most slotted screws are 3/4" or 5/8".

There are places online that have way better deals than hardware stores when it comes to variety, and most Lowes/ Home Despots don't carry the correct thread size/ length needed for pickups (maybe an ACE HARDWARE but the price is like $.60 a screw, so yeah they give you the SCREW when you buy from them)

Try McMaster-Carr.com and search under machine screws or socket set screws. They have EVERYTHING you'd ever need and the price is right.
 
Re: Different Type of Polepiece

I can comment on the output question but almost everything will change the tone of a pickup...in the case of the poles it has to do with the focus...a hex point has a smaller focus point than a screw. Another thing that seems to make a difference is how long the screw is...long ones are closer to the magnet than a short one
 
Re: Different Type of Polepiece

That was me that posted this info in my Scremon Demon....Not sure if it made it more articulate.but it warmed it up a bit and shaved some highend off...It's slight but noticible.

Scremon Demon A5 All STD Nickel Screws..

SD.jpg
 
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Re: Different Type of Polepiece

Mhm... I think I'll want to try a polepiece (screw) row on the FullShred too. Maybe it'd add a little output? Clarity is already AMAZING so I can easily afford to lose some.
 
Re: Different Type of Polepiece

John, that guitar needs a trembucker.... :D The camera angle of the Screamin Demon must be making the strings looking like they are not lining up. The only one that looks like it's lined up is the D-string.

Also looks like the pickup may be in backwards (which won't make much of an audible difference, but I notice these things :D) as usually the 2 dots in the bobbin face the thicker strings.

Sorry this is more of a joke, but man my OCD is bad!!! I'd be ripping that out for a Trembucker asap! haha.
 
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