Pickup height???

[MattACaster]

Is there a too high or too low? Is it personal taste? Are there advantages or disadvantages to having it high or low? Is there an ideal height?

[HurdyGurdyMan]

There is a 'too high' - it's when you get dead notes because your strings are making contact with the pick-up when you fret a note.

The ideal height is what sounds best to your ears

[PhantomNoodler]

I've played around with pickup height; it definitely makes a difference in sound/sensitivity. Seems like Harmonics are effected allot by pickup height too. (Active EMGs seemed to act a little differently then passive pickups)
I think allot of it has to do with where in the pickup's magnetic field the wire is, and just finding the sweet spot.
I adjusted my pickups one side (bass/treble sides) a little at a time and listened to the subtle changes until I liked the way it sounded. I used harmonics allot to get the sound I was looking for.
I've only done this to one guitar (my metal guitar) but it made a difference, and I should probably do it to the rest of my axes.
I used to just have my pickups as close as I could to the strings for the highest level of output, but realized that isn't necessarily the best way after playing with them for a bit.
Thanks for posting this because it's a reminder to me to re adjust my pickup as I just put different/bigger strings on.

[MattACaster]

Originally posted by PhantomNoodler I've played around with pickup height; it definitely makes a difference in sound/sensitivity. Seems like Harmonics are effected allot by pickup height too. (Active EMGs seemed to act a little differently then passive pickups) I think allot of it has to do with where in the pickup's magnetic field the wire is, and just finding the sweet spot. I adjusted my pickups one side (bass/treble sides) a little at a time and listened to the subtle changes until I liked the way it sounded. I used harmonics allot to get the sound I was looking for. I've only done this to one guitar (my metal guitar) but it made a difference, and I should probably do it to the rest of my axes. I used to just have my pickups as close as I could to the strings for the highest level of output, but realized that isn't necessarily the best way after playing with them for a bit. Thanks for posting this because it's a reminder to me to re adjust my pickup as I just put different/bigger strings on.

 

 

Thanks for the input! I've been toying with the idea of messing with the heights on my guitars but I'm always afraid I'll mess with something and never get it back to the way it was if I don't like it. So I figured I'd ask around here first and see what people have to say.

[GAS Man]

Most guitars don't come from the factory set up very well to begin with, so you shouldn't worry too much about moving your pickup height.

I have a book at home that has the recommended pickup heights, below the strings, I could post that later tonight if no one has beat me to it.

But there definitley is an issue to adjusting them up and down to personal preference and to balance out the output from neck to bridge.

But if you do get too close to the strings, the magnetic pull of the magnets can reduce your sustain and mud your tone out a bit.

[Europa760]

just personal taste

[DaleH]

You will need a small metal ruler that can measure 64th.

Just measure what there at on each side. Before you start.

This may help.
http://mysite.verizon.net/jazz.guitar/guitarsetup.htm#Setting%20the%20pickup%20height

[angus_old]

Originally posted by HurdyGurdyMan There is a 'too high' - it's when you get dead notes because your strings are making contact with the pick-up when you fret a note.

 

 

and 'too low' is when the pickup falls off the screw into the body of the guitar

[yzfou]

Personnaly I prefer my bridge pup pretty high, I find you get a better sound when you're palm muting. The neck one is further away, it gives a cleaner sound.

[Guerrilla]

Originally posted by GAS Man Most guitars don't come from the factory set up very well to begin with, so you shouldn't worry too much about moving your pickup height.

 

 

*scratches head*

 

dont u mean, 'most guitars don't come set up well, so you SHOULD worry about moving pickups'?????

[thor653]

I've found in my guitars through my amp, they like it about 3/16th to 1/4" when the string is depressed on the highest fret.

[peavey_impact]

Originally posted by Guerrilla *scratches head* dont u mean, 'most guitars don't come set up well, so you SHOULD worry about moving pickups'?????

 

 

No, he means that lots of guitars come with the pickup heights randomly set. So you shouldn't worry about messing up the "default" heights because they most likely aren't correct anyway.

[tlbonehead]

About the first thing I always do when I get a new guitar is grab the screwdriver and start messing with height. I don't understand why so many choose to ignore this or are scared to do so.

[GAS Man]

Originally posted by peavey_impact No, he means that lots of guitars come with the pickup heights randomly set. So you shouldn't worry about messing up the "default" heights because they most likely aren't correct anyway.

 

 

Exactly, Thanks.

 

Even if by chance they were factory set up relatively correct in relationship to the strings, most likely the action isn't going to be optimal.

 

So I eventually get around to adjusting the neck, adjusting the saddle heights, then adjusting the pickup heights.

 

I just don't do nuts. I'm afraid to touch my nuts! So I hope my nuts are close enough, but if not, I've been bringing that little job to a luthier for a quick fix. The rest of the job I'm comfortable enough to do by myself.