Pole pieces not lining up with strings.

[JMP/HBE]

Just installed a SH-5 Duncan Custom [reg space] in a Floyd guitar. 3 higher strings not lining up with pole screws.
If im missing something tone wise its hard to tell.
How crucial is this ?
Didn't EVH have the same issues in the early days before trembuckers ?

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Yes, EVH said he slanted the pickup so at least one pole of either coil was under a string. As far as problems, you answered your question. If it sounds good to you, don’t worry about it.

 

[JMP/HBE]

10-4 well you know @ 05:25am i gotta know lol.

 

[Aceman]

It is not crucial at all. That energy - as you see in the picture - radiates outward. As long as the string is "that close" to the magnet in any direction, you are good.

It isn't about the alignment to the pole vertically. It's about the actual DISTANCE to the pole in any direction. You could mount a pole sideways next to a string and it would sound pretty the same.

Just raise the the pole a touch higher to get it a touch closer.

 

[Mincer]

A Custom is powerful enough for the poles to completely miss the strings and still sound great.

 

[Synapsys]

Just cosmetics, for the most part. My OCD just hates seeing things not lining up,,though...

 

[AdrianSD]

Just installed a SH-5 Duncan Custom [reg space] in a Floyd guitar. 3 higher strings not lining up with pole screws.
If im missing something tone wise its hard to tell.
How crucial is this ?

Not at all, imho. Had an SH-6 in a Floyd Rose guitar, sounded very good, a lot of output even though the G and high E weren't properly aligned. Had to swap it out only because I just couldn't bond with it at all, too "in your face", just didn't talk to me at the time. Although now, in retrospect, maybe I didn't know how to listen, or how to dial the amp...

 

[JMP/HBE]

This may be the best sounding SH-5 & pickup in general ive had and ive had many.