Raising my pickups / changing my setup

[dancemontec]

I play an Ibanez EDB, it sounds pretty good and has a very comfortable feel to it. I want to get a more punchy sound out of it.

A friend of mine recommended raising my pickups up to get more punchy mid-range and more attack. I did it a little and it really changed the sound, and sounds great. The only problem I'm getting is the pickups feel a little loose on their screws. I am no gear expert, but I was under the impression that the screws holding the pickups were spring loaded and would raise up as I loosened the screws.

Is it just that maybe that its just a little grimey and dusty? Since I havent really adjusted anything with the bass in the 8-9 years that I've owned it.

In any case does anyone have any advice on how to fix this?

What other advice can anyone give me on how to adjust my pickups to optimize the sound?

Or any other advice on setup changes that will give me some more punch.

Thank you all!

Andy

[praisegig]

You can install springs on the screws below the pickup, to allow the pickup to rest against the screw head. Or, install a foam strip between the cavity bottom and the bottom of the the pickup. http://www.bestbassgear.com/images/o...foam_large.jpg. You might measure the height of the pickup now, and after installing the springs/foam, then adjust the pup height to meet that dimension.

[StyleOverShow]

Originally Posted by Lon

.. You might measure the height of the pickup now, and after installing the springs/foam, then adjust the pup height to meet that dimension.

On advice from TB, I raised the heights of my pups on a Carvin 5, but the soap bars were way too loose. Replaced the springs and added some foam and it made a terrific difference (neck pup).

Do a little search and you'll find suggestions on pup ht.

[StyleOverShow]

Just another thought...with the info here on TB, I started managing my own setups and it has made me a better player overall. Messing around with the string/pup heights made me aware of what is possible.

For instance, I have my 5 set to relatively low action and can produce a variety of sounds but with the DR' strings that I run on it (which are a little low tension IMO). I have to play with a light touch, so functionally I can't slap or pop on it as the spacing between strings is prohibitively tight. But I can move my right hand on top of the bridge and get an awesome clear punchy tone that is great for soloing (and with a 5th string to boot).

On the other hand, I have my MM Sterling set up relatively high and strung with Dunlop heavy gauge strings. I get an attack type of sound is much easier and I can drop into and out of slapping as necessary (although the strings are just a little too close). I can play that thing as hard as I want without fret buzz.

[GeoffByrne]

For under-pickup foam, you'll find that cutting up an old mousemat works terribly well.

[Jamie_Funk]

Originally Posted by GeoffByrne

For under-pickup foam, you'll find that cutting up an old mousemat works terribly well.

+1 NOTHING beats mousepad - been using it for years - extra firm resistance that stills allows adjustment.

[darkstorm]

Unfortunately most mfg have gone cheap in regards to such things and dont use springs anymore. Instead they typically put just a little bit of foam under pups. Which generally isnt enough to raise pups without them going wobbly. So one has to either install springs or add more foam.. The soft gray to black foam used in packing nice things works well. Ussually adding 1/4 inch of this enough to get the job done for non wobbly raised pups.