String alignment on pickup poles?

[gamb]

So this guitar isn't the highest quality, but it has served me well. It's a Photogenic brand Les Paul copy, and I've always kind of thought maybe the high strings sounded a little weak but I also assumed that was just my imagination, because I'm still early in the learning process and only really know enough about guitars to be dangerous. Having said that, I was paying closer attention to it today and I noticed that the pole pieces are pretty far off. Is this enough to really matter? I was considering buying a Super Distortion or a JB for the bridge to upgrade from the stock pickups, but since it's not really an heirloom-level guitar I was also thinking maybe I could just sell it and save up for something closer to the $400-$500 range (used). It does have some sentimental value being that it's the guitar I learned how to play on, so if you guys/gals think the picture below isn't really an issue I'll trust you all. I suppose I could always go with a rail-style pickup like a Dimebucker and then string spacing wouldn't matter, but that seems like just putting a bandaid on what might otherwise be a larger problem.

Thanks!

 

[Mincer]

Higher-output pickups can have poles that completely miss the strings and still be just as loud. Also, this is a reason to consider rail-based pickups, too. What is your string spacing right now? This is a good article on Trembuckers, and string spacing.

 

[ItsaBass]

You have found your high strings weak, but it doesn't look like you've adjusted the pickups to attempt to fix that.

"Off" pole piece spacing does not drastically affect string to string volume balance, IME.

 

[gamb]

You have found your high strings weak, but it doesn't look like you've adjusted the pickups to attempt to fix that.

I thought about trying that - is it just a matter of backing the screw out a little so it's closer to the strings?

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

Yes, rasing the pole pieces effects tone. Before deiciding on new pickups, raise the pole pieces and pickup. Fret high E string last fret and do the same with low E. Raise or lower pickup until you like it but don't set them too close. Lot of people rush out to buy pickups before trying to get the most out of what they already have. If they don't line up just right, it is still fine.