Rotten Guitar String
New member
I have a JB in the bridge of the guitar pictured to the left, and was wondering what the ideal pickup height would be for a CrUNchY METAL tone?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Pickup height
- Thread starter Rotten Guitar String
- Start date
Rotten Guitar String
New member
Re: Pickup height
Wow it sounds BRUTAL now!!!
Thanks!
Wow it sounds BRUTAL now!!!
Thanks!
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: Pickup height
I fret the highest fret on each e string, get it as close as possible, then back it off just a hair on the bass side (to account for heavy palm muting).
I fret the highest fret on each e string, get it as close as possible, then back it off just a hair on the bass side (to account for heavy palm muting).
Rotten Guitar String
New member
Re: Pickup height
Ok, so whats a good height for the 59 neck pickup?
Ok, so whats a good height for the 59 neck pickup?
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Pickup height
It really is best to set heights with your ears and not to strict numbers..I usually just start at around 3/32" and bring them up until I get both a balance across the strings and with the other pickup(s)...
I'm one of those few that likes the pickups slightly lower,as I feel the pickup poles read more overall string vibration and the strings don't choke the tone..
This is way more important with single coils though and not humbuckers.. :wink:
I Like to adjust my neck 59 pickups so they are flush with the top of my plastic covers..This is usually around 3/32" or less...I don't want my neck pickup to get too woofy and the 59N at times can be...
My latest mindset is to switch over to the PGN for my neck pickup in my LP....The 59 is just too strong and boomy in the neck for my changing tastes...
Rotten Guitar String said:
It really is best to set heights with your ears and not to strict numbers..I usually just start at around 3/32" and bring them up until I get both a balance across the strings and with the other pickup(s)...
I'm one of those few that likes the pickups slightly lower,as I feel the pickup poles read more overall string vibration and the strings don't choke the tone..
This is way more important with single coils though and not humbuckers.. :wink:
I Like to adjust my neck 59 pickups so they are flush with the top of my plastic covers..This is usually around 3/32" or less...I don't want my neck pickup to get too woofy and the 59N at times can be...
My latest mindset is to switch over to the PGN for my neck pickup in my LP....The 59 is just too strong and boomy in the neck for my changing tastes...
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O
Old Ghost
Guest
Re: Pickup height
I usually set both neck and bridge pickups to 1/16'' ( space between string/pole piece while pressing down the outer low and high E strings on the last fret. ) and just slightly back off the neck pickup to 3/32'' to boost the bridge pickup a little bit to balance the output. As we all know, there are more string vibration near the neck and less near the bridge therefore the bridge pickup needs to be a bit closer to the strings than the neck pickup. This is the reason why bridge pickups are usually wound ''hotter'' than the neck pickup. I use these measurements as a starting point, but in general, you should let your ears decide for the right adjustments. Best way to do this is with your amp's volume wide open.
I usually set both neck and bridge pickups to 1/16'' ( space between string/pole piece while pressing down the outer low and high E strings on the last fret. ) and just slightly back off the neck pickup to 3/32'' to boost the bridge pickup a little bit to balance the output. As we all know, there are more string vibration near the neck and less near the bridge therefore the bridge pickup needs to be a bit closer to the strings than the neck pickup. This is the reason why bridge pickups are usually wound ''hotter'' than the neck pickup. I use these measurements as a starting point, but in general, you should let your ears decide for the right adjustments. Best way to do this is with your amp's volume wide open.
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Quencho092
New member
Re: Pickup height
why not try seths? Less output and bite than pearly gates and 59...the classic tone beast of HB's.
STRATDELUXER97 said:
why not try seths? Less output and bite than pearly gates and 59...the classic tone beast of HB's.
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Pickup height
I don't know why I haven't tryed the Seths yet? :smack:
Quencho092 said:
I don't know why I haven't tryed the Seths yet? :smack:
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Pickup height
One of my favorite topics! And one where you get a lot of sucky advice...Like this: "I like to raise the pickup as high as it can go, then adjust the action to that; it may result in high action, but I like that." I'm glad it works for you...how-I don't know and why I can't explain.
DO THIS FIRST:
1. All poles equal height
2. Hold strings down at last fret on high and low E strings
3. Set neck to 3/32, bridge to 1/16 (Gibson factory specs)
4. Adjust the middle four pole peices to match the arc/radious of the strings
THEN
5. Play guitar and adjust individual poles for any unusually loud/quiet strings
6. Switch between bridge/neck pup and make any adjustments for volume preference. Adjusting the neck is usually the better choice.
FINALLY
7. Tweek the pups up or down equally or slightly higher/lower on one side to preference. Use SMALL adjustments. Make them both ways and pay attention to the tone & sustain as you raise and lower the pups. A small change makes a big difference
Bottom line is that pup height is a trade off of tone vs volume: And sustain is a victim if you go too far either way! It really doesn't take much of a change to really effect the tone/sustain/volume. Once you get the basic setup (both e strings), then adjust the pole pieces to match the arc/radius of the strings. Then, make very slight adjustments to each side to taste. But really, a half turn of the screw will really make a difference!
As high as possible gets the most bang for the buck in volume, but it will kill sustain. The field in a humbucker can really shut down string vibration. And too far loses signal. If you back it off just a bit I bet you'll find you sound a lot better. Crunchy tone is way more about amp settings and playing technique. If all you want is crunch set the EQ to 4/10/10 gain 7, and output 9. If you want tone, set the pups up right! Another milimeter closer to the strings won't do a thing for volume with any decent amp at those settings. And if your all about volume, don't worry if your tone sucks. Just don't blame the Duncans!
One of my favorite topics! And one where you get a lot of sucky advice...Like this: "I like to raise the pickup as high as it can go, then adjust the action to that; it may result in high action, but I like that." I'm glad it works for you...how-I don't know and why I can't explain.
DO THIS FIRST:
1. All poles equal height
2. Hold strings down at last fret on high and low E strings
3. Set neck to 3/32, bridge to 1/16 (Gibson factory specs)
4. Adjust the middle four pole peices to match the arc/radious of the strings
THEN
5. Play guitar and adjust individual poles for any unusually loud/quiet strings
6. Switch between bridge/neck pup and make any adjustments for volume preference. Adjusting the neck is usually the better choice.
FINALLY
7. Tweek the pups up or down equally or slightly higher/lower on one side to preference. Use SMALL adjustments. Make them both ways and pay attention to the tone & sustain as you raise and lower the pups. A small change makes a big difference
Bottom line is that pup height is a trade off of tone vs volume: And sustain is a victim if you go too far either way! It really doesn't take much of a change to really effect the tone/sustain/volume. Once you get the basic setup (both e strings), then adjust the pole pieces to match the arc/radius of the strings. Then, make very slight adjustments to each side to taste. But really, a half turn of the screw will really make a difference!
As high as possible gets the most bang for the buck in volume, but it will kill sustain. The field in a humbucker can really shut down string vibration. And too far loses signal. If you back it off just a bit I bet you'll find you sound a lot better. Crunchy tone is way more about amp settings and playing technique. If all you want is crunch set the EQ to 4/10/10 gain 7, and output 9. If you want tone, set the pups up right! Another milimeter closer to the strings won't do a thing for volume with any decent amp at those settings. And if your all about volume, don't worry if your tone sucks. Just don't blame the Duncans!
