Pickup rings and padding?

[Diminished Triad]

Does anyone have an opinion or view regarding whether it is advantageous to have single coil pickup rings? I'm finishing up a Warmoth build and discussing with the tech putting it together whether to use single coil rings. We are using a ring for the humbucker so will likely match them up. Any thoughts?

Also, I've seen a few people use padding under their single coil rings but can't find any of this for sale anywhere. Does anyone know the name for this and where I might be able to order some for under the rings? Thanks!

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: Pickup rings and padding?

I like single coil pickup rings, especially in an H/S guitar, where the single coil is slanted back at the High-E..
Not sure what the padding is called but I have a big sheet of it. Pm me your info and I'll cut you out an 8-1/2" x11" piece so you have some for a while.

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Pickup rings and padding?

Honestly, your question is one that I've never considered before, but it seems to me that pickup rings (for any style pickup) are purely aesthetic... unless of course they're something like triple shots or the ones I've seen that incorporate a tuner. Metal pickup rings MIGHT affect the sound somewhat (like the metal bridge plate does on a Telecaster), but I have to think that the amount of difference would probably be nearly or completely imperceptible to your ear.

Personally I like the look of them, at least on guitars that don't have a pickguard. I'd go with what turns your crank looks-wise.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Pickup rings and padding?

Honestly, your question is one that I've never considered before, but it seems to me that pickup rings (for any style pickup) are purely aesthetic... unless of course they're something like triple shots or the ones I've seen that incorporate a tuner. Metal pickup rings MIGHT affect the sound somewhat (like the metal bridge plate does on a Telecaster), but I have to think that the amount of difference would probably be nearly or completely imperceptible to your ear.

Personally I like the look of them, at least on guitars that don't have a pickguard. I'd go with what turns your crank looks-wise.

Actually, they are practical for humbuckers on SGs. They help align the pickup to the strings. Otherwise the pickups angle in a stair-step like effect against the string angle. It changes things because without rings the bridge slug is nearest the strings and you can't move the screw coil nearer without jamming foam or crap behind the pickup.

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Pickup rings and padding?

Actually, they are practical for humbuckers on SGs. They help align the pickup to the strings. Otherwise the pickups angle in a stair-step like effect against the string angle. It changes things because without rings the bridge slug is nearest the strings and you can't move the screw coil nearer without jamming foam or crap behind the pickup.

Okay... THAT makes sense. All my humbucker guitars have rings, so I just hadn't considered alignment as a tone shaper.


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