the 'ol height adjustment debate

[orbiter]

I was caught up in an interesting conversation the other night on this topic.

I found it funny in a way .. just how convicted some were about a certain height being "right" or "wrong" ... something I've always thought of as a personal pref. something that fluctuated depending on the guitar .the p'up.. its player .. and the desired tone one wants to achieve.

So, how do you end up w/ the height's you use .. by ear? a certain measurement?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: the 'ol height adjustment debate

For Strats and Teles, I kind of base it on getting the pickup close to the strings...right up to the point where I start to hear the low E being pulled out of tune when I fret it above the 12th fret. Then I back the pickups further away until the low E sounds good again.

Guys who don't know what it sounds like with the pickups real close or real far away should experiment with that...just to learn.

Move the neck pickup real close to the low E and then fret above the 12th fret and experience that out of tune/double tone thing that happens when the low E is drawn out of tune by the magnetic polepiece being to close.

And also check out the diff in tone when the pickup is real close to the strings: they get louder and brighter.

Lew

 

[BlueSnMettle]

Re: the 'ol height adjustment debate

Totally by ear, there is no correct or standard spacing, IMO.
Lew's point is valid. Too close & you're gonna get some pull.

Peace,

Darrin

 

[Dave]

Re: the 'ol height adjustment debate

I start out high and lower until it sounds "right" to me.

 

[gordon_39422]

Re: the 'ol height adjustment debate

Yeah, I use the heighth measurements simply as a guide to get me close. Then I back off until I get the tone I'm seeking. Of course, with 3 pups, you are constantly going back and forth until you get the tone you want on all 3 pups with near equal volume.... It's definitely another aspect of the guitar that is for personal preference....

 

[Dills]

Re: the 'ol height adjustment debate

I agree, start of real close to the strings and then get a screw driver and lower the pickup to your desired tone, I like it fairly close for extra bite in the trebles.

 

[Thames]

Re: the 'ol height adjustment debate

"Never underestimate the power of a screwdriver"

 

[tce44]

Re: the 'ol height adjustment debate

Yeh Im struggling with this right now also,mine are alittle less than halfway and are alittle to hollow plasticy sounding,might start bringing up closer to the strings for more clearer bite sound!
Dont mind me though Im never happy with my sound!

 

[SABOTAGE]

Re: the 'ol height adjustment debate

what about the distortion model? this one has a strong ceramic magnet.
is it cool to raise it pretty high to the strings without any sustain probs?

 

[jimmy]

Re: the 'ol height adjustment debate

I like to get them as close to the strings as possible with out touching them.
I raise them up, then fret on the 22nd fret and lower it until there's just a hair distance from the pickup and the string.
I put the bridge pickup as close the strings as possible without hitting them when I palm mute.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: the 'ol height adjustment debate

I adjust by ears and over a period of a few days....I'm usually around 3/32" with my strat pickups and closer with my bridge humbuckers...My neck humbuckers on both my LP and SG are flush with the plastic cover...You have to try everyone's opinions,but ultimately you have to find what works for you...Tone is too subjective to listen to one person's way of doing it..

John