Pickup Adjustment (Height)

[mike601587]

Hi guys im wondering how high are pickups supposed to be from the string? I tried using the search feature but found nothing. Im sure that the height is different for the neck and bridge. The pickups are the JB/Jazz setup. Thanks in advance!

 

[tone4days]

Re: Pickup Adjustment (Height)

it usually becomes an 'adjust to taste' sorta thing ... the obvious first - make sure that when you press the string down at the last fret that the string doesnt touch the pickup ... some guys use the one nickel / two nickel method to get started ... fret the high e string at the last fret and adjust the bridge pickup until the space is the thickness of one nickel ($0.05 in the US - sorry if you are an international tone bro) ... do the same for the low e string side of the bridg epickup, except use 2 nickels .... then you adjust the neck pickup by ear to that the volume is essentially equal to the volume produced by the bridge pickup ... and like i started out with, it ends up being a 'tweak' thing to get it dialed in just perfect to your personal taste

good luck
t4d

 

[mike601587]

Re: Pickup Adjustment (Height)

Thanks for the great info tone4days! Ill do the nickel thing but really the neck pickup should always be lower down than the bridge right? I know its personal taste as far as the neck pickup height but it should never exceed the height of the bridge right?

Also just to make sure I understand...the higher strings like the high e should be closer to the pickup than the lower strings low E correct?

 

[tone4days]

Re: Pickup Adjustment (Height)

well, i cant say 'never' be closer, but yeah, generallym that sounds about right

it depends on the relative strength of the pickups in question ... a very hot bridge pup and a relatively weak neck pickup might sound best in balance with the neck higher ... i am not trying to be 'cute', i am just saying that without knowing the exact pickups you are talking about, and the guitar you'll use them in, and the type of music you'll play with them, i cant give a blanket answer ... and all things being equal, yes, the solid treble strings are typically going to be closer to the pickup than the wound bass strings

good luck
t4d