Pickup - Removal - Alignment - Height Adjustment

[FJV]

Guitar model: Schecter Diamond Series Blackjack Solo 2: Pickups are Lundgren M6 -

This is my first "Electric Guitar". I graduated from a Yamaha Classical to a Taylor 414CE acoustic. Build of Schecter guitar is "GOOD" but the pickup alignment is "Not So Good".

Also the pickups are better suited for "Hard (Dirty Sound) where as I play clean. I have adjusted the pickups to be further from the strings to eliminate the overdrive "TONE" but the "Tone" became thin. So possibly a set of Seymour would be best. I have experimented with the "AMP - Guitar" and to date the cleanest sound is by limiting the volume from the pickups to the amp.

I cut up old Nylon picks and folded them to press the pickups into alignment with the strings by wedging the picks between the routed hole and pickup. As the body is sloped my desire is to level the pickups to the strings.
Soooo. Once I remove the pickups the plan is to angularly adjust the pickup. This I will do with shims or will fabricate a mount.

I have extensive experience with "Electronics" but not with the electro magnetic placement of pickups. I move carefully rather than create additional problems so better to enquire before the mighty screw driver unleashes its force.

I have two questions:

1/ Removing the pickups. Are the two screws for height adjustment continually rotated CCW. CCW raises the pickup. Would a continual rotation CCW eventually release the pickup from the routed hole?

2/ Is it best to have the the pickup pole pieces level with the strings?

Cheers

Frank

 

[Seashore]

Yes, the screws will come out. My direct-mounted Schecters use a machine screw and have a nut set in the wood underneath the pickup, but some guitars just use a wood screw. Either one works the same way. You may need to swap out for a smaller piece of foam underneath the pickup if you're adjusting it way down, and also be careful that the screw doesn't break through the back of the body.

Pole piece height adjustments are for getting a finer balance between the individual strings, they're not supposed to be level. Whatever sounds best.

 

[Securb]

You should also consider rolling the volume back a bit if you want to clean up the guitar.

 

[Demanic]

I have a Blackjack and I think that you need to remove the pickup rings before you try to remove the pickups from them. I don't think that they're direct mount. I also wouldn't worry about them being perfectly parallel with the strings. It shouldn't make that much difference in the tone.

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[Seashore]

I have a Blackjack and I think that you need to remove the pickup rings before you try to remove the pickups from them. I don't think that they're direct mount. I also wouldn't worry about them being perfectly parallel with the strings. It shouldn't make that much difference in the tone.

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I think OP has this one:

 

[Aceman]

What I am hearing here is two things:

First - having problems getting a clean sound. I would like to know more about the amp, channel, and knob settings

Second - Concerns about the adjustment of pickups

Rule #1 There are no rules. Wherever it sounds good for you is good. However, there are some good general guidelines

- A stronger pickup signal (Pickup close to the strings) that gets the volume turned down will be better than a weak pickup signal (Far from strings) usually. But not always.
- Lowering the strings while keeping the poles higher up can help here. Clear signal, but lower power
- The really important thing is not "alignment" but absolute distance of the pole from the string

Most players spend far too little time with a screwdriver really dialing in the pickup adjustments. Be patient.


I can't speak to the Schecter's pickups, but I can't believe that guitar can't get a solid clean sound with whatever is in there.

 

[Demanic]

I think OP has this one:

Oh, ok. Mine must be an older model.

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[FJV]

Yes, the screws will come out. My direct-mounted Schecters use a machine screw and have a nut set in the wood underneath the pickup, but some guitars just use a wood screw. Either one works the same way. You may need to swap out for a smaller piece of foam underneath the pickup if you're adjusting it way down, and also be careful that the screw doesn't break through the back of the body.

Pole piece height adjustments are for getting a finer balance between the individual strings, they're not supposed to be level. Whatever sounds best.

Great! Appreciate the response!
Will be moving forward now with this information.
I have screwed the pickups to the bottom while attempting to resolve my "Tone" issues without destroying the back finish. If foam was in the cavity is must be thinner than original.

 

[FJV]

I think OP has this one:

Correct image. Thanks for providing clarity.

 

[Demanic]

I was fortunate in that mine came with a 59n/JB set stock.
Does yours have a three way or a five way switch?

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[FJV]

What I am hearing here is two things:

First - having problems getting a clean sound. I would like to know more about the amp, channel, and knob settings

Second - Concerns about the adjustment of pickups

Rule #1 There are no rules. Wherever it sounds good for you is good. However, there are some good general guidelines

- A stronger pickup signal (Pickup close to the strings) that gets the volume turned down will be better than a weak pickup signal (Far from strings) usually. But not always.
- Lowering the strings while keeping the poles higher up can help here. Clear signal, but lower power
- The really important thing is not "alignment" but absolute distance of the pole from the string

Most players spend far too little time with a screwdriver really dialing in the pickup adjustments. Be patient.


I can't speak to the Schecter's pickups, but I can't believe that guitar can't get a solid clean sound with whatever is in there.

Knowing how the pickups are mounted is very helpful. The Lundgren M6 are overwound and provide ample signal.
No distortion of tone when using the centre position, both pickups engaged, of selector switch. Both volume pots are just engaging the signal from the strings and tone control turned fully on. The action of the neck/strings is great. I use D'Adarrio ECG 24 flat wound. 11/50.

Best equalized sound from pickups is with the Low E side lower than the Hi E.
Experiencing "Nasal" with the G. Turning down the treble to position 3 using the high gain input alleviates the issue buy I'm still chasing "That Tone".
Amp is Fender Tone Master, modeling.
Pressing down on the strings at the last fret the pickups currently are 3/32" from the string.
Also for the cleanest tone I pull the tone control and have the pickups reacting as single coils.

I will add that after three hours of practice and adjustment I think that the tone is spot on until i come back in two hours and question my previous setup.
Yeah.. human interfacing is always questionable.

Enjoying the time though with this unit.

Thanks for the response.

 

[Mincer]

I use a Fender Tone Master, too. You might try the 2nd input on whatever channel of the amp you are using. It should cut down the output of the pickups hitting the preamp.

 

[Demanic]

I was fortunate in that mine came with a 59n/JB set stock.
Does yours have a three way or a five way switch?

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Looked at the photo and answered my own question.
So, independent volumes and a push/pull for the tone. Interesting wiring.
Mine is single volume/single tone with a 5 way. It gives a partial split in positions 2&4.
With yours, I would think that pickups split with the neck at 100% volume and bridge at 75% would probably give you the best clean sound.

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[FJV]

I was fortunate in that mine came with a 59n/JB set stock.
Does yours have a three way or a five way switch?

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Three way.

 

[FJV]

Hi All on this post.

Adjustment of the PUPs in earnest this afternoon now that I'm loaded with information.

Bridge and neck PUPs adjusted to within 2mm of the strings measured at the bottom of the Es with strings depressed at the last fret.

I have a new sounding guitar. Crisp. Clean. Definite separation of Tone between the three switch positions. Previously it was hard to detect.

And the kickers - I like the Tone of the bridge PUP whereas previously it was annoying - The guitar no longer expresses notes that sound out of tune and the wolfish background howl is gone.

WoW!

Additionally I will state that when I first purchased the Fender amp, used for $600 Canuck Buck, I thought I had a lemon as it produced RF interference. Problem was the 1/2 coil/1/2 straight cable. Purchased a quality cable and the RF no longer amplified.

Thanks for the input.

Aceman. You were correct in stating that it should produce a clean sound.

Cheers!

 

[Demanic]

It does? Is it on the horn? I didn't see it.
Even so, yeah middle position, single coils, neck heavy volume blend.

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[Demanic]

Hi All on this post.

Adjustment of the PUPs in earnest this afternoon now that I'm loaded with information.

Bridge and neck PUPs adjusted to within 2mm of the strings measured at the bottom of the Es with strings depressed at the last fret.

I have a new sounding guitar. Crisp. Clean. Definite separation of Tone between the three switch positions. Previously it was hard to detect.

And the kickers - I like the Tone of the bridge PUP whereas previously it was annoying - The guitar no longer expresses notes that sound out of tune and the wolfish background howl is gone.

WoW!

Additionally I will state that when I first purchased the Fender amp, used for $600 Canuck Buck, I thought I had a lemon as it produced RF interference. Problem was the 1/2 coil/1/2 straight cable. Purchased a quality cable and the RF no longer amplified.

Thanks for the input.

Aceman. You were correct in stating that it should produce a clean sound.

Cheers!

Aceman does know tone.

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[eclecticsynergy]

Don't forget that you can also adjust the individual screws underneath your G string.
Very often the G pole on a pickup will need to be lower than the others for best balance.
And the D string pole is often best when set a little higher than the others.

In general, those who play clean tend to choose pickups with fairly low output.
But there is no universal rule, only personal preference.

Our hearing adjusts and adapts itself over time.
It's not uncommon to spend a few hours on something, then come back and find it doesn't sound the way you thought.
This often happens with studio mixdowns. Always best to check it again later with fresh ears.