Slash 2.0 - How to make it less compressed

[jt-dad]

I recently installed the Slash 2.0 set on my LP. I am a bit bummed at how compressed it sounds compared to the PAFs I had on there. I was expecting a little hotter, but at about 3/32 distance between strings and pickup, it's way too hot, compressed and gives a wobble/tremolo effect (I assume from the magnets interacting with strings?) --- Is there a good distance to try them at to lower output without losing sustain? Just by ear? Or is there a good standard distance to try?

Trying to get the sound more articulate and open before considering switching to a different pickup.

 

[idsnowdog]

Order a set of short polepieces from Philadelphia Luthier Supplies to tighten and clarify.

 

[dotsdad]

Turn the pickup mounting screws counter clockwise to lower the picups

 

[jeremy]

id lower the pups a bit, there shouldnt be any warble in the sound

 

[Masta' C]

Lower them. How much is definitely up to you and best done by ear a turn or two at a time. Bass and treble sides can be slightly different heights.

Don't ever subscribe to a fixed height or distance from the strings for pickups. Some manufacturers do that for manufacturing consistency, but it's meant as a starting point.

Adjustments are all about fine-tuning the sound and response to your liking. Good luck!

 

[amdkj]

Is there a good distance to try them at to lower output without losing sustain?

Lowering them will almost certainly increase sustain. A lower pickup means a weaker magnetic field on the strings, which means the strings can vibrate more freely and consistently. Longer sustain, better tuning stability in some cases, and of course lower output.

My personal general rule when installing new pickups is to set them as low as the mounting screws/plate/routing/whatever will allow (without them wobbling loose, of course), and only raise them if I feel the output isn't enough. 3/32" is what, 2.3mm? I think the closest any of my pickups come to the bottom of the strings is around 6mm (dunno inch fractions, sorry), and that's only on one bridge humbucker. Most of my pickups end up somewhere in the region of 10-12mm away.

Just by ear?

That's the best way to choose or set any part of guitar, pedals, or amps. Do what sounds best to your ear and feels best to your fingers.

 

[jeremy]

with strings fretted at the last fret, 6mm is almost 0.24 inches, thats further than i usually set a bridge humbucker. gibson suggests half that. but there are no rules, only what works best for you.

if 3/32" is too close, then back it off half a turn on each side, if thats not enough, then do it again. i usually have my neck pup on a lp set almost flush with the pup ring, the bridge pup is usually a bit above the ring. the warble is not common with humbuckers, its usually strat neck pups that cause that.

 

[Mincer]

15 minutes with a screwdriver (and not a ruler) can reveal all kinds of things about how a pickup behaves. For every guitar, there is an ideal distance from the strings, but I found that you get there by adjusting and playing, and adjusting some more.

 

[jeremy]

yep, trial and error gets you where you want to be