Should I be concerned about this string alignment?

[Brick Top]

I just recently noticed that my e and g strings don't line up exactly between the pu mags. Is this normal?

E string:



G String:

Cheers,
BT

[electracoyote]

I have basses like that. Normal? Dunno. I don't think it's a huge issue.

I'm a stickler for having the string spacing as even as possible at the bridge, and having the neck aligned in the pocket so the strings are aligned with the neck (equal margins from outer edge of strings 1 and 4 to edge of fretboard).

I find if these dimensions are off, my strings don't cross the pole pieces correctly either.

However, on occassion, when the string spacing and neck alignment are perfect, the strings still don't cross the pole pieces perfectly. It varies from bass to bass.

[Eric Moesle]

If it was a Sadowsky, I'd be upset.

If its an Ibanez, I wouldn't be.

You won't notice any sound difference with it, it will be fine. But aesthetically . . .

[dmusic148]

It's not an issue. The size of the magnetic field above the poles is much larger than it needs to be in order to cover the strings- the field actually extends beyond the width of the pickup.

[Craig_S]

I've seen worse.

[walterw]

let me guess: that's a mexican standard jazz bass.

it's not a big deal, but it bugs me too. i think the string attack is a little more even when they're between the poles like they were designed by leo to be.

those mexican pickups have the magnets underneath, with steel slugs as poles, so they're not as sensitive to this issue as real rod-magnet pickups.

if this a newer mex jazz, it's not the pickups that are wrong, it's the bridge spacing that's too narrow.

[Brick Top]

Thanks folks. That is a bit of relief since it's probably too late to send it back.

It's an SX by the way. Plays nice and all...but I noticed on some pics of more expensive basses that the strings seemed to line up perfectly between the poles.

Cheers,
BT