pickup pole/string alignment and saddle slots

[tranceFusion]

Is it correct or incorrect to attempt to align a string within the pickup pole pieces by shifting the string left or right at the saddle?

I am not sure whether the string misalignment is a function of a nut problem or just a need to readjust the string at the bridge.. or whether the string spacing at the bridge should remain identical between each string.

Also, I have seen preslotted bridges that have multiple seats for the string.. like 3 distinct slots. Is this to adjust string spacing, or for the purpose of aligning strings w/ pickups pole pieces?

Thanks!

[Bongolation]

Originally Posted by tranceFusion

Is it correct or incorrect to attempt to align a string within the pickup pole pieces by shifting the string left or right at the saddle?

It depends on what your other alignment options are, and where the alignment problems originate.

If you have a set-neck and can't move the pickups, that's your only practical option in any case.

*MANY* basses (and guitars) have such severe alignment problems with their build that it is impossible to get everything where it is supposed to be after the fact.

[tranceFusion]

I think the problem is that this is an older Fender MIJ '75 Jazz RI. The nut is not standard.. it is 1/8" narrower than a standard jazz, yet the pickups are standard jazz pickups and do not account for that change - so the neck pickup especially is out of line.

I did get a new nut slotted for this bass, so it could have been cut wrong, but I think it is more just the fact that the nut is narrower than your standard jazz bass.

[Kalango]

Originally Posted by tranceFusion

Is it correct or incorrect to attempt to align a string within the pickup pole pieces by shifting the string left or right at the saddle?

I am not sure whether the string misalignment is a function of a nut problem or just a need to readjust the string at the bridge.. or whether the string spacing at the bridge should remain identical between each string.

Also, I have seen preslotted bridges that have multiple seats for the string.. like 3 distinct slots. Is this to adjust string spacing, or for the purpose of aligning strings w/ pickups pole pieces?

Thanks!

By shifting the string at the saddle, you are very likely to mess with the alignment of the string with the neck, specially the outer strings. And the polepiece spacing is the same for all the strings in each pickup, and unless your pickups are slanted, if you align the strings with the polepieces, they will automatically have uniform spacing at the bridge. If your strings have a uniform offset distance from the polepieces, you could try to move the pickup sideways (some pickup routings allow minor adjustment), but if the offset is different for each string, the only way to align things is to play with the string spacing, but again, only a limited amount of adjustement is possible without messing with the string alignment with the neck.
And as it has been said, some basses are simply impossible to adjust. Hope this help.

[tranceFusion]

can you explain "string alignment with the neck"? What do you mean by this?

The bridge is one of those Fender bent-metal types, where there are already slotted individual saddle pieces. Will I need to buy a new bridge that is unslotted, or is there some way to get the string to move side to side (angle the saddle?)..

and how big of a deal is it that the outer strings do not line up? I mean if the E string is aligned over the center of the inside pole piece, does it matter? The output seems slightly lower than the A, but I could just raise that side of the pickup up..

Thanks for the help!

[Kalango]

Originally Posted by tranceFusion

can you explain "string alignment with the neck"? What do you mean by this?

The bridge is one of those Fender bent-metal types, where there are already slotted individual saddle pieces. Will I need to buy a new bridge that is unslotted, or is there some way to get the string to move side to side (angle the saddle?)..

and how big of a deal is it that the outer strings do not line up? I mean if the E string is aligned over the center of the inside pole piece, does it matter? The output seems slightly lower than the A, but I could just raise that side of the pickup up..

Thanks for the help!

What I meant by alignment with the neck is that, by moving the string sideways you may end up with the outer strings so near the edge of the fingerboard that they may be pulled out when you finger a note, specially around the 12th fret. I think you can compensate the volume difference by raising the pickup, but if you notice the notes on the E string having an oscillation in volume, you will need to try something else.
In the end, if it sounds good, it's good. Unless the lack of proper alignment is visually disturbing for you.
Hope this help.