Pickups
- Thread starter slick848
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Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Pickups
Whatever sounds the best. Usually you fret the 21st fret and they should be between 1/16" and 3/32" from the string. Some might need to be farther, some might need to be closer.
I usually do 1/16" on the treble side and 3/32" on the bass for both neck and bridge. Some people also do 3/32" for the neck and 1/16" for the bridge as a starting point
Whatever sounds the best. Usually you fret the 21st fret and they should be between 1/16" and 3/32" from the string. Some might need to be farther, some might need to be closer.
I usually do 1/16" on the treble side and 3/32" on the bass for both neck and bridge. Some people also do 3/32" for the neck and 1/16" for the bridge as a starting point
Last edited:
Der Oberherr
New member
Re: Pickups
Whatever height you think the pickups sound best at is the best measurement really. I believe a general starting point is somewhere around 1/16" to 1/8" from the string, but I'm not 100% on this. Just tweak them until you get a good sound from them.
Whatever height you think the pickups sound best at is the best measurement really. I believe a general starting point is somewhere around 1/16" to 1/8" from the string, but I'm not 100% on this. Just tweak them until you get a good sound from them.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Pickups
Use your ears, it'll vary per PU and it's magnets. Too close and it'll pull on the strings and reduce sustain (especially with a stronger magnet). Too far and it'll sound weak.
Use your ears, it'll vary per PU and it's magnets. Too close and it'll pull on the strings and reduce sustain (especially with a stronger magnet). Too far and it'll sound weak.
Zheddar
New member
Re: Pickups
What Dave74 said is pretty right on. The only extra thing to consider is if you use your neck pickup of middle pickup (on a stratocaster/les paul custom/stuff with a middle pickup) more. Then you would blend the others around whichever one you use more often. The general rule of a distance of 4/64" high E and 6/64" low E, usually measured from the screw poles, and while freting the last fret is a good place to start though. I was using a Screamin Demon in the bridge with a Phat Cat in the neck (to experiment) and I ended up having to drop the Phat Cat to like 9.5/64" and 11.5/64" to try to get them to blend better, otherwise the Phat Cat was huge in comparison. But Usually when using a JB and 59, or Custom and 59 I end up at pretty much that whole 4/64" and 6/64" no matter if I measure or do it by ear (which takes so damn long). I like measurements because I can spend less time listening to the minute changes in tone, and more time listening to melody. Either way, don't be afraid to mess up your pickup heights. You could find out that you like the pickups farther away, or much closer. Not much to lose by screwing around.
What Dave74 said is pretty right on. The only extra thing to consider is if you use your neck pickup of middle pickup (on a stratocaster/les paul custom/stuff with a middle pickup) more. Then you would blend the others around whichever one you use more often. The general rule of a distance of 4/64" high E and 6/64" low E, usually measured from the screw poles, and while freting the last fret is a good place to start though. I was using a Screamin Demon in the bridge with a Phat Cat in the neck (to experiment) and I ended up having to drop the Phat Cat to like 9.5/64" and 11.5/64" to try to get them to blend better, otherwise the Phat Cat was huge in comparison. But Usually when using a JB and 59, or Custom and 59 I end up at pretty much that whole 4/64" and 6/64" no matter if I measure or do it by ear (which takes so damn long). I like measurements because I can spend less time listening to the minute changes in tone, and more time listening to melody. Either way, don't be afraid to mess up your pickup heights. You could find out that you like the pickups farther away, or much closer. Not much to lose by screwing around.
Re: Pickups
Gentlemen,
Are you talking about the p'up's with the cover on or off. And if on, do you measure with the poles flush and measure the cover distance? Or only the screws? Do you do it the same with or without covers? I have asked this and never got an answer.
I like to stay away from too much boom in the low strings (I play without covers on the bridge) so my low end of the pickup is always lower, so I can get the slugs down and the screws up nearest the bridge, that gets me more treble that way.
With or without the covers, I would think most of you would lower the bass side much more than the treble side.
I don't know, so I am just asking. This forum and my ears are my only reference.
Thank you for considering this, hope I get a "chime!"
Steve Buffington
Gentlemen,
Are you talking about the p'up's with the cover on or off. And if on, do you measure with the poles flush and measure the cover distance? Or only the screws? Do you do it the same with or without covers? I have asked this and never got an answer.
I like to stay away from too much boom in the low strings (I play without covers on the bridge) so my low end of the pickup is always lower, so I can get the slugs down and the screws up nearest the bridge, that gets me more treble that way.
With or without the covers, I would think most of you would lower the bass side much more than the treble side.
I don't know, so I am just asking. This forum and my ears are my only reference.
Thank you for considering this, hope I get a "chime!"
Steve Buffington
BeefTheShark
New member
Re: Pickups
I personally like my pickups set as low as possible.
I personally like my pickups set as low as possible.
Re: Pickups
You will find different distances for single coils and humbuckers, as well as actives and passives. But I'd be careful with stated values, as they don't take into account our ears, our playing style, string gauges, etc. Experimenting with pickup height is free, and only takes some time.
You will find different distances for single coils and humbuckers, as well as actives and passives. But I'd be careful with stated values, as they don't take into account our ears, our playing style, string gauges, etc. Experimenting with pickup height is free, and only takes some time.
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