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Hey, i just wanted to know if there was a certain hieght that pups should be installed, or a certain length away from the strings. I keep mine very close, just enough for the strings not to hit them if I play really hard (plus I used GHS ZW Boomers and they are pretty big strings) Is this right or does every pup have its own quot;perferred settingquot; or something....? I wasnt sure so I just wanted to ask. Answers anyone?

I set mine basically the same way you do. I pull the neck pickup down a bit more, though, so it's equal in volume to the bridge.

Not really; it depends on the specific pickup and the tone you want.


Originally Posted by mridNot really; it depends on the specific pickup and the tone you want.

100% correct. Ex. Humbucker adjustable coil: Some people turn the poles out all the same length and set the slots crisscross, others leave them in and set the pup higher, others go the middle road and set the poles so the output from all strings sounds right to them.....

It´s all about what sounds and feels right to you


Originally Posted by ZerberusIt´s all about what sounds and feels right to you

Yeah, that about sums it up

The perfect height is this....Set your pickup at say 3/32quot; and then tweak the height up and down until it sounds perfect to you...

Sometimes it takes me a few days of listening not only across the strings of each pickup,but also how well the pickups balance together..Some guys like their pickups up high and others(Like myself)like my single coils lower...Learn to trust your ears!

John

Whooaaaaaaa! I WAY disagree with that...

For example, the Gibson specs are:
Neck - 3/32 bass/treble
Bridge - 1/16 bass/treble

And since there is a string radius, the poles need adjusted slightly different for each string to follow the contour. every pup/guitar has a quot;sweetquot; spot. Too close and you start to kill sustain - the field doesn't allow for full vibration. Too far and you loose tone and volume. There is certainly a range where you can adjust to taste, but you really don't have to adjust much (quarter turn...)

Listen to a strat with flat versus staggered pole peices. That's a great example of how much of a difference it can make. I used to be a fan of ultra low action and high as possible pups, but after getting a really good set up, my guitar played AND sounded better.

No doubt you should go with what sounds best to you....but If I have spent 10 hours of my life doing this, I trust Gibson have spent 1000's of hours!

So I recommend:
1gt; Get the factory specs and set those up
2gt; Spend some serious listening time, and make small adjustments each time
3gt;Try just single pole adjustments, as well as all six at the same time, and pairs and bass treble too.
4gt; Record if possible and listeb back a few days later
It takes some time to make four quarter turns and record the same set of licks, but I think you'll be surprised...