Exposed poles vs. covered poles

[eukatheude]

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

What shape are the EMGs? Soapbars? No one makes soapbars with adjustable poles, as far as I know.

The fact that the EMGs have blades leads me to believe it's something other than the pickups. What kind of strings are you using? Are the strings all the same height over the fingerboard?

If you can find pickups with adjustable poles, they won't sound different just because they have adjustable poles. But they will sound different because they are different pickups.

Yep, soapbars. I don't know, i've seen a lot on different basses... Maybe those were dual MMs? As for strings i've used DR in the past, and in the last months i've been trying SITs powercores. Mind you the imbalance is not so noticeable, it's almost a matter of principle. I want to be able to adjust that because i'm a control freak when it comes to instruments and computers.

[GroovinOnFunk]

Originally Posted by eukatheude

I want to be able to adjust that because i'm a control freak when it comes to instruments and computers.

Well that definitely seems excessive. I agree with the point that you can raise or lower each end of the pups. If that's not doing it for you, there's probably an issue with your setup and/or strings.

Yes there are soapbar pups with exposed pole pieces, but they are flush with the cover and cannot be raised or adjusted. Seems like your issue lies elsewhere, not in the pups.

[eukatheude]

Yeah, but i don't want to sacrifice my action for that. Having individually adjustable poles would let me tweak the response exactly as i want, even if it's wacky. Anyay, since apparently no one makes them, i will look onto them for my J.

[GroovinOnFunk]

Originally Posted by eukatheude

Yeah, but i don't want to sacrifice my action for that. Having individually adjustable poles would let me tweak the response exactly as i want, even if it's wacky. Anyay, since apparently no one makes them, i will look onto them for my J.

Fender Custom Shop 60s jazz pups have raised pole pieces. Though not adjustable, it's probably what you're looking for.

I actually placed some spacers under the cover to make the pole pieces flush with the cover because BE WARNED: when you play over the bridge pup (since it has to be closer to the strings than the neck pup), your fingers might very well hit the pole pieces and get ground into hamburger meat. I was left with blisters and it sucked... your experience may vary...