New pickups installed but need help with height adjust

[neosadist]

All,

Today I got the pickups installed with a friend of mine: JB/Jazz combo. However, for some reason, I'm having height adjust problems. I'm in my room, none of my friends have a ruler. I want to adjust the height of the pickups because the chord work sounds a little muddy (plugged straight into 1972 fender twin reverb). Also, the high E with the JB only sounds almost nonexistent. I'm thinking adjust height before adjusting pole piece screws. Anyone that can help me figure it out without a ruler would be greatly appreciated! lol Thanks :chairfall

Robert

 

[N00se]

Re: New pickups installed but need help with height adjust

I think you need to use your ears for this one.
Just graduately put it closer to the strings untill it sounds good.
One end of the pickup can be screwed higher than the other end, so experiment a bit.

 

[neosadist]

Re: New pickups installed but need help with height adjust

Ok, so a friend of mine on the internet said one cdrw=1/16" roughly and 2 cdrws stacked = roughly 1/8", so I put high end of JB at 1 cdrw away from strings when at highest fret (24), and the other corners at two cdrws. So far it sounds good, but dang the chord work sounds muddy, like it's too high gain or something, in all pickups. But at least these things sound good so far.... Somehow their output is lower than the old pickups I had (ESP LH-100s). I'll post back later, but give me some opinions. Thanks!

 

[yeti]

Re: New pickups installed but need help with height adjust

You could always use the "nickel" technique. put the high "E" side up to a nickel's width from the strings, and low "E" side about 2 nickelss width. Someone suggested that on an earlier thread, and it actually seems to work well for my Custom bridge.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: New pickups installed but need help with height adjust

Try this.....3/32" bridge 4/32" neck......You can get away with the Jazz being closer to the strings,but you may have to keep that JB at or very close to 3/32".....Also try the Jazz at 3/32" both sides and see if you get a decent volume balance between that and the JB...

Measure with the 2 E strings held down at the 22nd frets...Adjust to taste by slightly raising the pickups until you find a tone that is pleasing and not too boomy,powerful or bright..

I absolutely hate my bridge humbuckers at 1/16" and I'm normally around 2.5/32" or 3/32"....The tone is clearer and there's more area of string vibration over the pickup tops....The tone isn't so up front and in your face,plus I normally prefer A2 pickups in the bridge because it's softer,warmer,and reacts better to note attack for my styles..

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: New pickups installed but need help with height adjust

worry a little less about actual numbers and measurements and more about what sounds the best...just play the gutiar, move the pickups and repeat until it sounds it's best

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: New pickups installed but need help with height adjust

worry a little less about actual numbers and measurements and more about what sounds the best...just play the gutiar, move the pickups and repeat until it sounds it's best

I always start with numbers though and then I adjust to taste from there up or down...If I were to measure with numbers(Which I sometimes do)my readings would be as stated...The novice guys need numbers to initially guide them as a starting point..Nothing wrong with that brother! I've seen 3/32" as an actual measurement listed for Dimarzio pickups and it's a great starting point!:banana: