Calculating string spacing over pickups?

[misterk73]

Hope this is the right forum. Rather than cross-posting elsewhere, I thought I'd start here and see what happens. Thanks in advance for any advice or insights. I have a LOT to learn before I dive into this project...

I've been contemplating a Warmoth build and have tentatively settled on a Warmoth Gecko 5 (35" scale) with Medium neck -- nut width: 1 7/8" (47.6mm), width at 24th fret: 3" (76.2mm), string pitch @ the bridge: 3/4" (19.0mm), straight 14" (355.60 mm) fingerboard radius -- and a Hipshot A bridge (19.0mm string spread, .750" string spacing). I think I'd also like to have the body routed for two of these EMG40-size soapbars in Warmoth's standard neck and bridge positions:

• NECK => [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
  
• BRIDGE => [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

My questions are:

1. Generally speaking, how important is it for the strings to line up between the exposed pole pieces?
2. Is it possible to determine whether the strings will line up properly BEFORE ordering all the parts and assembling the bass?
3. If I slot the nut for EADGC strings instead of BEADG, are there any implications as far as #1 and/or #2 above?
4. Any other concerns, obvious or otherwise, with potentially trying to use these pups on this bass?

I emailed Warmoth to ask whether strings on a bass as described above will line up with those pups and received only a curt but polite "sorry, we don't have that data." Maybe I asked the wrong question, though, so if anyone knows what additional data I should seek, I'd appreciate suggestions.

Any thoughts? Thanks much!

 

[Beej]

1. in my opinion, not very important, except when it comes to looks or when they are way off centre.

2. absolutely. The quickest way in my view would be to draw the whole thing out fullscale. Then you can see each part's size in relation to every other part. You only really need to draw the nut, saddle witness line (35" from nut), a centreline, the edges of the fretboard, the 12th fret and the string paths from nut to expected saddle width.

3. there are implications, but none that would affect 1 or 2. (IMHO)

4. check them first against your fullsize drawing for accuracy, but otherwise, no.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[misterk73]

Thanks, Beej. Makes sense. Guess the only thing I'd need to sort out with Warmoth is where the two pickup routs would be on the body in relation to the bridge. Glad to hear the string alignment between poles is -- may? -- not be important. I suppose that may mean the exact pickup placement isn't important either, so long as they fall within a certain space. Cheers!