Pickup height suggestions

[TVFV]

The cool rails set needs some tweaking. I haven't messed with pickup height. All 3 are the same height fairly close to the strings. I don't have an exact measurement though. How much does neck need to be lowered to where it's not louder than bridge? Should I lower the height of the middle? Finally how much should I raise the bridge if at all?

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[Clint 55]

Re: Pickup height suggestions

I put the bridge right next to the strings then lower the middle and neck to be the same volume.

 

[dave74]

Re: Pickup height suggestions

I'd lower the others way down first, then set the bridge to it's best toned position. (best to your ears)
Then set the middle and neck to balance in whatever manner they'll be most often used.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Pickup height suggestions

^ I'd go by this. But it all depends on what pickup you most want to sound good. For many its the bridge. For others they want the neck to be clear and defined. The rest then get adjusted from there.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Pickup height suggestions

On a strat I set the neck first, since it's susceptible to the widest range of fat to thin sound. Then I set the others to match, such that throwing the switch doesn't sound like changing pickups, but sounds like changing the tone or brightness only.

 

[VinceT]

Re: Pickup height suggestions

On a strat I set the neck first, since it's susceptible to the widest range of fat to thin sound. Then I set the others to match, such that throwing the switch doesn't sound like changing pickups, but sounds like changing the tone or brightness only.

+1

For me, the neck pickup gets most use across a set, so it's always the first that I set.


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[vinnie1971]

Re: Pickup height suggestions

I go with Fender specs for single coils and Gibson for humbucker ( modern for modern output, vintage go vintage where the the output for neck and bridge are the same) then go from there.
I then adjust pole pieces on HBs to follow the string radius with G staying put and on single coils push G down and poke B up.

Works on everything apart from flat single coils and slug buckers which are best left alone.

I start with the bridge then balance the neck but I have done it the other way round when the neck was overpowering and muddy.


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[EDX]

Re: Pickup height suggestions

i go with bill lawrence method for everything, two nickels distance for the lowest string pressed on the last fret one nickel for the highest string pressed on last fret and then tweak by ear, that works for buckers and singles and really nails them where they sound the best

 

[IMENATOR]

Re: Pickup height suggestions

^ I'd go by this. But it all depends on what pickup you most want to sound good. For many its the bridge. For others they want the neck to be clear and defined. The rest then get adjusted from there.

+1 I set the neck pickup height first

 

[Alex Semple]

Re: Pickup height suggestions

I've always fretted the highest fret on the low E and raised the bridge pickup til it's about 1/8" away. Then raise the treble side until the humbucker is even with the body. Palm mute and make sure the strings aren't hitting the body of the pickup or the poles/rails. Play the guitar and adjust until the bridge sounds optimal. Then I usually double the distance away from the strings on the neck and proceed to adjust up or down until the guitar sounds balanced in all switch positions. The key is starting with the bridge pickup and adjusting to taste before moving on to the middle or neck.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pickup height suggestions

I always wind up with good results no matter if I start with the neck or the bridge pickup. I certainly want a little bit of a boost with a hotter bridge pickup, so starting with that one actually takes less time for me, and I still wind up with an awesome sound. I don't measure, though; I do it by ear.

 

[RogerMexiko]

Re: Pickup height suggestions

On a strat I set the neck first, since it's susceptible to the widest range of fat to thin sound. Then I set the others to match, such that throwing the switch doesn't sound like changing pickups, but sounds like changing the tone or brightness only.

That's the way to do it, absolutely no better way.

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Pickup height suggestions

All 3 are the same height fairly close to the strings.

look at the install instructions and get the suggested height.

I don't have an exact measurement though.

get one of these:

or a ruler





set them all to that same suggested height.

listen to how it sounds.

lower what is too loud and raise what is not loud enough.