Quarter Pound Tele distance from strings

[MrNoel82]

Hello everybody, I'm a new member of this forum and new owner of a Quarter Pound Lead pickup STL-3 that I have installad on my 2006 Fender American Telecaster.

I need an important information from you: the correct height of this pickup from strings
On the paper inside the box of the pickup i read the distance must be between 1/8" and 1/16" but it's too generic... On the Fender instruments tips I read several distances depending on the kind of the pickups (example Noisless, Vintage Style, Standard) but I don't know what is the similar Fender pickup to the Quarter Pound.

So I have installed the Quarter Pound but I just don't know the correct height, can you help me please?

I really thank you

Alvise

 

[jeremy]

Re: Quarter Pound Tele distance from strings

welcome to the forum!

there is no perfect setting for all instruments and styles. my suggestion is to start with the top of the pup 3/16" from the strings (pushing the strings down at the last fret while making the measurement) and see how it sounds, then move it to about 1/8" and see if you like it better. if so, try going even closer. if not back it off a bit.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Quarter Pound Tele distance from strings

Yep......no specific height in the slightest.

Because everybody has a different set of ears.......a different idea on tone.......a different rig......a different playing style.........different action they prefer.........different string gauges........different fretboard radius........different guitar tunings etc etc.

How on earth you can have 1 'set' height for all that is an impossibility.

 

[Nostalgic Distortion]

Re: Quarter Pound Tele distance from strings

Just move it around until it sounds good, that's what I do! LOL....

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Quarter Pound Tele distance from strings

I'd just use 1/8" as a quick starting point, and then adjust from there by ear. Drop the pickup for less low end and less output. Raise it if it sounds anemic (though I don't think you will be going higher with the QP pickup). My main amp doesn't have a lot of headroom, so I tend to run my pickups lower than the standard starting points.

 

[MrNoel82]

Re: Quarter Pound Tele distance from strings

Thank you For Your replies... But 1/8" from the top of the pickup to the bottom of 1st or 6th string?
I Know that the distances must be different if it's the 1st ir the 6th string...

Thank you again!

 

[AlexR]

Re: Quarter Pound Tele distance from strings

Try it all and any way you can. It could be either, it could be both.

You seem hung up on a regulation that actually isn't.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Quarter Pound Tele distance from strings

Thank you For Your replies... But 1/8" from the top of the pickup to the bottom of 1st or 6th string?
I Know that the distances must be different if it's the 1st ir the 6th string...!

OMG!!! Are you kidding me??!!!

Have you ever played a guitar before? If so, you know the answer.
If not, then the answer doesn't even matter.
And if you can read, then get the answer from what what others have already told you.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Quarter Pound Tele distance from strings

calm down doc, your blood pressure is up!

i usually set the treble side first and adjust the bass side to balance volume wise which usually means the bass side is 1/16th lower than the treble side but maybe more, maybe less. its all about listening to your guitar through your amp. on the strat that ive been playing a lot lately i have the bridge pup set flat so both treble and bass side are the same distance from the strings.

 

[dave74]

Re: Quarter Pound Tele distance from strings

Even the specific string materials and ratios will matter to some degree. (wrap and core)
As a starting point I like to test each string fretted at the 24th and keep moving the pickup up until it begins to cause wavering, then obviously back it down when/if it does.
Ultimately,,,,just use your ears.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Quarter Pound Tele distance from strings

I use my ears...I start with the bridge pickup, put it close to the strings, then back away until I hear the sound 'open up' and hear the magnet's affect on the strings less and less...the moment that effect is gone, it is set. I then balance the other pickups for volume.