Output of Bridge Pups...Strat and Les Paul

gtr player

gtr player

New member
Hey y'all-
Question here for the technically challenged....
Just got a set of '59's in my Epi Les Paul-sounds sweet, sweet, sweet. I had these installed by the local luthier. Got the matched set (bridge and neck)
Here's my question, though....the bridge pup sounds like it has slightly less output than the neck....there's a noticeable difference when I switch to the neck pup from the bridge. I thought that this set had a slightly higher output in bridge? Also, I heard that bridge pups have a slightly less output due to string vibration being less as you move toward the bridge. Any ideas on what it is I'm hearing here? I thought maybe that the luthier put the bridge pup in the neck (thus the higher output). Also, the bridge pup height appears to be adequate.
I guess one reason I'm trying to figure it out is that on the stock Epi pups there wasn't such a noticeable difference. Also....:smack: this local luthier made an error on some recent work for me, and it makes me wonder what is happening at his shop in terms of double checking his work (he fixed it promptly, though!). Just makes me wonder....ya know?
Finally (I know, long post)....the same thing happened when I put in SSl-1's (neck and mid) and SSL-5 (bridge) in my Hwy 1 Strat. Bridge pup seems to have less output, although the output is supposed to be higher for this pup (anyway, its been a long while since I've owned a strat....so maybe this is what to expect?)
OK, I am a newb when it comes to customizing guitars, so any information/advice/comments/ideas would be appreciated!!
Thanks!
 
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Re: Output of Bridge Pups...Strat and Les Paul

Bridge pups are usually wound hotter or use hotter magnets (A5, A8, ceramics) to balance the difference in output of the neck and bridge pups caused by the bigger string vibration above the neck pup.
The '59 set bridge is overwound a bit to balance them better, but it isn't a big difference.
 
Re: Output of Bridge Pups...Strat and Les Paul

Lower the neck pickup and raise the bridge unit until you get the balance you want. It takes a bit of tweaking, but its worth it.
 
Re: Output of Bridge Pups...Strat and Les Paul

OK, so really this is probably the issue?
I hear what you're saying re: height. I will look into it.
And for any other forum members, if you have experience re: this issue, holler at me.
 
Re: Output of Bridge Pups...Strat and Les Paul

Alright, will do....sound advice, indeed.
I will look into the height and figure out what's what.
 
Re: Output of Bridge Pups...Strat and Les Paul

One more really, really newb question!
What do I use to measure the pup height? What is the best tool?
Thanks!!
 
Re: Output of Bridge Pups...Strat and Les Paul

Don't mess with measuring it, just screw it down / up and play for 60 seconds, repeat until it sounds right
 
Re: Output of Bridge Pups...Strat and Les Paul

Thanks!!! Now that' something I can definitely do on my own....
Appreciate the advice!
 
Re: Output of Bridge Pups...Strat and Les Paul

OK, adjusted the bridge pup and now......BEAUTIFUL SOUNDS:laugh2:
THANKS!!!!!!!!
Really appreciate this advice-not only did I get the Epi Les Paul sounding sweet, I learned something very valuable in terms of simple guitar mods.:fing2:
Thanks again,
jg
 
Re: Output of Bridge Pups...Strat and Les Paul

And that's the reason I like PAF-ish pickups in the neck and hotter pickups (PAF+ or hotter) in the bridge! It doesn't matter what I do with a set of PAF's like the 59's, I can never get the bridge to sound non-wimpy.

-Austin
 
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