Jazz bass pickup height question

WilliamSandoval · #1 08-11-2011, 07:27 PM

When I got my Jazz copy, I found a good tone by adjusting the knobs. When I got my new pups, I still had the same knob settings, but I adjusted the pups to find the tone I had with my old pups. Does that make sense?

Anyway, I was wondering what the norm is for pickup height with Jazz basses. Do you set the knobs at the same volume, adjust the pickups to have the same volume for each string, then find the tone you want by adjusting the knobs, or adjust the pickups to find the tone you want? Stupid question I know...

kb9wyz · #2 08-11-2011, 07:44 PM

I do it both ways, myself. On my Jazz, I have the added beauty of being able to set the pup level on the preamp individually, so I can get away with more play on the pup height. Though with passive, I would set the pup both the height that gives the same volume with the tone that pleases me the most. As long at the volume is reasonably close, I'm happy. I hope this helps.

WilliamSandoval · #3 08-11-2011, 07:50 PM

I just set mine up with the pickups adjusted to have the volume on each string be the same, then I adjusted the knobs to get my tone. They weren't far off from how I had them before...

stanknuckle · #4 08-11-2011, 09:52 PM

See if the Fender website has standard specs for the height and use that to start with. Suppose to be full sounding and even in volume when you roll pickups off/on. Dont set them too high, you may get notes sounding sharp. But see what Fender says first.

kb9wyz · #5 08-12-2011, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stanknuckle

See if the Fender website has standard specs for the height and use that to start with. Suppose to be full sounding and even in volume when you roll pickups off/on. Dont set them too high, you may get notes sounding sharp. But see what Fender says first.

Good call. In this vein, I would think that the forums there would have info about various classic and artist setups as well. Or somewhere will.