Fender/Squier HB pickup height

[GlennW]

I have a HB pickup from a Squier VM P ('72 Tele) Bass.

It's temporarily installed (taped) in my P Bass close to the SCPB and regular P Bass pickup position. It's about 10 5/16" from the 12th fret to the poles closest to the neck.

It's as low as possible without deepening the route. The screw poles for the E and A have been lowered until flush with the cover.

Pickup height (distance between poles and strings):
E string unfretted - about 8/32"; fretted on last fret - about 6/32"
A string unfretted - about 9/32"; fretted on last fret - about 7/32"

Here's the rub.
In HB mode it's Fart City on the E and A, and that's with a gentle attack. I'm wondering if the pickup needs to be lower (more pickup height) to clean it up.
What's the pickup height on yours which sound good?

Here's the good news.
This pickup sounds real nice in single coil mode, and in parallel coils mode. There's a noticeable volume drop compared to HB mode, but it still has plenty of oomph. HB is almost too powerful.

I think I'm going to wire it so it's either SC or both SC's in parallel, and forget about the HB option (unless it's easier to get all three with an ON/ON/ON switch, and just not use the HB position).

Here's a link to DiMarzio's wiring diagram for all three options.
http://www.dimarzio.com/sites/defaul...alsndsplit.pdf

DiMarzio's wires might be different colors.
On the Fender/Squier HB one coil has black for ground and white for hot. The other coil has red for ground and green for hot. There's also a bare wire wrapped around the black one which probably grounds the baseplate and cover.

[Legattabass]

What an interesting idea. Putting the megamudbucker in the P position. I also did the Series/single/HB mod on my TB and concur, you can get a lot more clarity in those modes than HB.

Not sure what to tell you about HB mode. That sucker, by the neck, can clip my amp pretty easily. Maybe fart city in the P position has the same causes as mud city by the neck. I'd lower the pickup as far as it goes; mine is flat with the PG, and the E/A polepieces are dropped far below the D/G. Mess with your EQ and boost high mids, cut lows, etc.

Also post pics? I want to see this beast.

[GlennW]

Thanks for the detailed reply. You've convinced me to forget about the HB/series option...looks to be more trouble than it's worth.

I think I'll get a ON/ON/ON switch and wire it so it goes:
1) single coil
2) both coils in parallel
3) other single coil

Just like a regular two pickup deal with 3-way switch.

Pics? It's ain't pretty.

[Legattabass]

Will there be THAT much variation in sound from 2 single coils spaced an inch apart?

Also, why have a mudbucker without ... the mudbucker!

Edit: It aint pretty, but it's pretty bad-ass.

[GlennW]

Originally Posted by Legattabass

Also, why have a mudbucker without ... the mudbucker!

I have a feeling that if the pickup is lowered enough to clear up the mud/clipping in series the single coil sounds will be compromised due to the increased pickup height.

IOW, I'm more concerned with getting good single coil sounds, than adding the HB/series sound at the expense of the sc sounds.

There'll be a little difference between the two sc's, maybe not a whole lot, but I'd rather have three options I want than two I like plus one that's obnoxious.

[Legattabass]

Originally Posted by GlennW

I have a feeling that if the pickup is lowered enough to clear up the mud/clipping in series the single coil sounds will be compromised due to the increased pickup height.

IOW, I'm more concerned with getting good single coil sounds, than adding the HB/series sound at the expense of the sc sounds.

There'll be a little difference between the two sc's, maybe not a whole lot, but I'd rather have three options I want than two I like plus one that's obnoxious.

I like the HB mode; to me it has a certain overwhelming, clipping amp charm to it. Sort of like Cream, or old Sabbath.

I was kind of shocked, though, at how articulate and nice parallel mode is. Single coil has underwhelmed me a bit, and I feel like it leaves the E/A strings sounding a little weak.

[GlennW]

Originally Posted by Legattabass

I was kind of shocked, though, at how articulate and nice parallel mode is. Single coil has underwhelmed me a bit, and I feel like it leaves the E/A strings sounding a little weak.

I like them in parallel too...adds an almost nasal quality and is a bit brighter than just one coil, has a nice edge.

I find the single coil to be plenty bassy, to the point of not needing the HB/series option. If you're having a problem with weak E and A strings in single coil mode I'd guess that's because your pickup is lowered enough to get the HB/series mode to be more tolerable. See, that's what I want to avoid.

[Legattabass]

Originally Posted by GlennW

I like them in parallel too...adds an almost nasal quality and is a bit brighter than just one coil, has a nice edge.

I find the single coil to be plenty bassy, to the point of not needing the HB/series option. If you're having a problem with weak E and A strings in single coil mode I'd guess that's because your pickup is lowered enough to get the HB/series mode to be more tolerable. See, that's what I want to avoid.

Good point. I play with quite a bit of distortion, so in my case I would favor HB over single coil. But yeah, parallel is almost like 2 jazz pickups on parallel, a bit more nasal, much more clarity. Almost modern.

[GlennW]

I routed enough so the top of the pickup is flush with the body (no pickguard).

It cleared up the distortion/clipping on the E and A strings in HB/series. Unfretted E string height is 17/32"; fretted at the last fret is between 14 and 15/32". That's ridiculous. They have too much wire and/or too powerful magnets in that sucker.

It sounded only ok with a .1 cap and pretty bad with smaller caps. I wanted to be sure before soldering, and I'm going to go with a 2-way switch for single coil or both in parallel, and a 6-position cap switch.

Swapped necks too. This is about the 18th pickup that's been in it.

[Legattabass]

A pickup that monstrous must be accomodated, clearly!