software

I'm guessing there's zero effect on tone, so do you just go for aesthetics and align them perpendicular or parallel to the strings? Or just leave 'em wherever they wind up as you adjust them?

I've had three guitars now, where I replaced pups that didn't line up, with pups that did. The improvement in string-to-string balance was significant. I would say that it's important.

anyway to adjust the spacing a smige mine are all about 1 mm off-center

I don´t think he means different spacing, but the actuall orientation of the screw slots

I set them to a Crisscross pattern because I find it aesthetically pleasing... I don´t know if it makes a difference.



actuall orientation of the screw slots

Exactly. I searched the forum, the FAQ, everything, and yet I couldn't find the answer to this VITAL question.


Originally Posted by ZerberusI don´t think he means different spacing, but the actuall orientation of the screw slots

Dang if you ain't right! I saw the thread title as quot;Alignment of strings on pole pieces.quot;

I usually set mine like this:

/ \ / \ / \

or like this:

\ / \ / \ /

But I don't know whether it really makes any difference.

You can imagine that if they were all like...

| | | | | |

...then the slots would be right under the strings (assuming perfect string to polepiece alignment).

Maybe this...

- - - - - -

... would be OK.

Having said all that, I have left them totally random in the past and never even thought about it.

Now that I get the question, I always leave mine at the quot;factoryquot; alignment.

I thought I remembered hearing that Jimmy Page alligned them in a certain way... Criss-cross or something. I just put the pickup in, adjust overall height, then correct any strin-to-string balance issues.

Another related question: How is the height set on the pole-piece screws at the factory? I've got a new CustomCustom trembucker whose screws have never been touched, and the height seems to be sorta random from low-to-high. I guess I sorta expected them to all be at the same height or something.....


Originally Posted by ArtieTooI've had three guitars now, where I replaced pups that didn't line up, with pups that did. The improvement in string-to-string balance was significant. I would say that it's important.


a friend of mine (also called Simon, as it happens) swears that this way is correct

/ \ / \ / \ /

Let me set the record straight gentlemen:

The magnetic field of a pickup just isn't sensitive enough to the orientation of the screw head or whether it is slotted or cross point or hex recessed.

I'd find more important things to worry about if I were you, like the state of your strings or the rust on the pole pieces. That can affect your tone

is it possible to change the screws should they get rusty? sorry for hijacking this thread.

I make mine into a curved patter...you know...it goes with the fretboard,....because the a string is REALLY overpowering and so I have to quot;turn the others upquot; plus, it sound more aggressive 0.o

I don't see the alignment of the slots in the screw having any affect at all on your tone.


Originally Posted by Mr_Xis it possible to change the screws should they get rusty? sorry for hijacking this thread.

Yes, Allparts sell them, and WD.


Originally Posted by D-EJ915I make mine into a curved patter...you know...it goes with the fretboard,....because the a string is REALLY overpowering and so I have to quot;turn the others upquot; plus, it sound more aggressive 0.o

That makes sense. With screws on one coil and slugs on the other you can also slew the flux to subtly alter the depth of the common harmonic cancellation

The when the screws are all set all the way down they will look pretty close to:

_ _ _ _ _ _

When you adjust tyhem to match the curve of the strings they get to be something like:

/ \ / \ / \

It's just kinda a by produt of adjusting each one the same amount as you move in from the outside. You would raise both E strings roughly the same amount. I think they set the heights for the curve BEFORE they put the strings on, and then use the pup ring adjust screws to get the height right. So it's a combination of aestetic, ease of construction, and mainly string radius.

Bottom line, set them so the guitar sounds good to you!