Magnetic pull with humbuckers

[Tony_H]

Hi folks,

I'm seeking second opinions on magnetic pull with humbuckers. I recently noticed that almost all of my HB-equipped guitars exhibite noticeable warbling sounds when playing the unwound G string above the 12th fret. I use 10-gauge strings (the G is a 17) and I noticed that this really happens to the G most of the time and sometimes to the D strings as well. Be it a Gibby 490R (stock on my Hawk), a 496R (my testbed Strat-style), a SD Alnico II Pro, a Hot Rails or a Cool Rails, I always have to set my pups lower than I like to get rid of the funny tones. One notable exception is the 59 - when I received my new "PRS Santana-alike" the 59 was set so close to the strings that I was amazed to hear no string warbling.

What I wanted to ask is, have any of you experienced the same thing? And if so, what do you do about it?

AFAIK, the pickup height setting is always a matter of compromise between getting the most output and eliminating the funny tones. But having to lower the pickups so much that the bobbins are flush with the pickup ring - and the G string still making those funny noises - seems a bit too much to me. There are fewer harmonics and the overall sound is a tad lifeless.

Anyone care to respond?
Thanks
Tony

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Magnetic pull with humbuckers

I think there is very little magnetic pull with humbuckers compared to single coils. In a single coil the magnet is the polepiece itself. In a humbucker the magnet is much further away under the coils. So there's some magnetic pull but not as much.

I also think the magnet affects the fatter wound strings much more so than the unwound strings.

I suspect the problem you have is not being caused by the pickup...but maybe.

Truthfully, I think it's because .017 is to light for a G string but we all do it anyway because it makes it easier to bend.

That string should be a wound string...but I never use a wound G string on my electric guitars because a wound G is to hard to bend.

I ALWAYS use a wound G string on my acoustic guitars tho, because it sounds so much better and more solid.

With a good tuner (or your ears if they're good enough!) try resetting your intonation at the bridge by adjusting the G and D string saddles forward or backward so that when you fret a note at the 12th fret it's exactly the same note as the harmonic plucked at the 12th fret.

Lew

 

[sanrafael]

Re: Magnetic pull with humbuckers

I think there is very little magnetic pull with humbuckers compared to single coils. In a single coil the magnet is the polepiece itself. In a humbucker the magnet is much further away under the coils. So there's some magnetic pull but not as much.

In a humbucker the slug or pole piece is magnetized by the permanent magnet. The pole piece or slug then magnetizes the string. Strong magnets in humbuckers thus are just as susceptible to causing pulling. My favorite way to demonstrate string pulling is to put neodymium magnets in a humbucker and put the pup as much as a quarter of an inch from the strings.

I agree that this does not sound like string pulling; you should notice it on the low E string around the 12th fret. What could it be? possibly coupling between strings. Have you tried intonating the guitar very carefully with a good piano tuner?

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: Magnetic pull with humbuckers

I've noticed the G string to be very buzzy or "warbly" on many guitars. I think it just has something to do with that particular string

 

[RG 2570]

Re: Magnetic pull with humbuckers

I have heard that the rail pups do not have as much pull? like the dimebucker or the lawrence 500's? i also heard the under the plastic cover of the EMG 81 is two set of rails and these can be set real close to the strings?

 

[Tony_H]

Re: Magnetic pull with humbuckers

OK, maybe the G string is the culprit.