Does pickup height affect tone?

[monkeyfinger]

I just spent a lot of time adjusting the pickup height on my basses. I bought a new amp which is closer to the hi-fi end of tonal spectrum. This amp does not scoop out the mids like my previous one did. So I set the amp eq flat and adjust the pickups for the optimal tone. That way my amp has less work to do correcting for tone elements that I don't like. This is not my first time doing this, but the hi-fi nature of this amp made the effect much more noticeable. I found that once I got near the optimal height, very small adjustments made a noticeable difference. For example, my Fender Roscoe Beck with flats took on a very pronounced percussive attack at a certain pickup height. (Not from slapping the pickups from what I can tell.) I was able to adjust the level of the attack by small changes in height. In general, I find small adjustments in height can be a good way of balancing the lows, mids, and highs. Has anyone else experienced this or am I just cork-sniffing again?

 

[ThatLeftyguy]

Your right. Even the slightest adjustments can alter the tone. IMO The farther= more bass the closer=more treble.

 

[DD Gunz]

Yes

 

[MrLenny1]

IME adjusting the PU height boosts the output of the bass not tone.

 

[StayLow]

Yes.

FAR more than some other factors people obsess over ever will.

A fraction of an inch can make a very noticeable difference, with different results and magnitude of difference between different pickups and strings so there's no fixed answer as to what string-to-pickup height will give what result other than experimentation.

String height from the frets is another one, the difference made varying depending on a player's style and attack. The pride some express over their exceptionally low action setups is very much a "talk" bass concern.

These are a couple out of a great many reasons why it's utterly laughable when some compare two basses, played at different times, made from different woods - even if it's the same species, with either different strings or the same brand of strings but of different ages, different action, and different string-to-pickup distance, then stridently declare any difference is down to a thin strip of fingerboard wood, a top wood veneer, or even a body or neck wood.

 

[DD Gunz]

^^^^True story, string height can somewhat determine your ideal pickup height. I am a hard player naturally and therefore I need a higher action. Those with low low action can get away with it due to their playing style. Pickup height is the last thing I adjust when doing a setup so I am adjusting them after I am sure my stings are the correct height first. Everyone has their own opinions and that's why talkbass is awesome.

 

[bassliner50]

So does pickup height (proximity to strings) effect the signal amplitude (volume), bandwidth (tone) or both? Clearly to me the amplitude (volume) is directly effected, but not sure if the tone is altered as well or just perception of tone? Waiting for an expert opinion, please.

 

[DD Gunz]

If you lower your pickups as far as possible you will notice a volume drop for sure which will need to be offset by adjusting your amps volume or EQ accordingly. Therefore, in my opinion, pickup height in relation to your strings does make a tonal difference.

Raise your pickups as high as you can and you will also expierence a tonal change, sometimes creating issues and a fuzzy out of phase tone on some basses.

Try it out for yourself, it's easy to reverse. Go crazy with it and have fun.

 

[StayLow]

So does pickup height (proximity to strings) effect the signal amplitude (volume), bandwidth (tone) or both? Clearly to me the amplitude (volume) is directly effected, but not sure if the tone is altered as well or just perception of tone? Waiting for an expert opinion, please.

Both. And pickups too close to the strings, when fretted, is why some people post "Please Help" threads complaining of a chorus-like effect or stifled tone.

I've had discussions with a couple of very highly regarded makers of pickups that are extremely fussy about the ideal range of string-to-pickup distance for their pickups, sometimes depending on the type of string in use (ss vs. nickel, etc.). Fascinating to listen to them riff on such topics, including tone cap values. Call one up and ask, ideally one who can also play bass well, and you may get similar entertainment or a possibly an entirely different response. I came to the realization by careful A/B comparisons and discovered that swapping pickups sometimes made less difference than swapping strings or even changing setups with the same strings and pickups. Different means to the same end, perhaps.

If you lower your pickups as far as possible you will notice a volume drop for sure which will need to be offset by adjusting your amps volume or EQ accordingly. Therefore, in my opinion, pickup height in relation to your strings does make a tonal difference.

Raise your pickups as high as you can and you will also expierence a tonal change, sometimes creating issues and a fuzzy out of phase tone on some basses.

Try it out for yourself, it's easy to reverse. Go crazy with it and have fun.

We posted a similar thing at the same time, and I'm editing mine to add your quote and concur that not only is there likely to be a tone change at the bass but yes it can also preclude a player affecting changes at the pre/amp that may also affect tone.

Of course we can move our right hands around or forget to clip fingernails and then sky's the limit! Keeping it in perspective.

 

[40Hz]

I can't speak for every player, but I spend more time adjusting and tweaking the pickup heights on a new bass than anything else when I first get one home. And it's usually a few weeks before I'm completely happy with the setup. As others have mentioned, even minor adjustments to the pickup to string spacing can make a huge difference in the tone and response of an instrument.

 

[line6man]

As it happens, pickup height is a really big deal. The effect of moving a pickup even a tiny bit is substantial.

For reference, there is no right or wrong way to adjust pickup heights. A lot of people seem to think that they need to search out a "correct" measurement from a pickup manufacturer, but the right height is the one that agrees with your ears.

 

[socialleper]

I just spent a lot of time adjusting the pickup height on my basses. I bought a new amp which is closer to the hi-fi end of tonal spectrum. This amp does not scoop out the mids like my previous one did. So I set the amp eq flat and adjust the pickups for the optimal tone. That way my amp has less work to do correcting for tone elements that I don't like. This is not my first time doing this, but the hi-fi nature of this amp made the effect much more noticeable. I found that once I got near the optimal height, very small adjustments made a noticeable difference. For example, my Fender Roscoe Beck with flats took on a very pronounced percussive attack at a certain pickup height. (Not from slapping the pickups from what I can tell.) I was able to adjust the level of the attack by small changes in height. In general, I find small adjustments in height can be a good way of balancing the lows, mids, and highs. Has anyone else experienced this or am I just cork-sniffing again?

It is a real thing. Think of it like a microphone being closer to the source of a sound. The fidelity gets better when you pickups are closer to the strings.
There is a trade off though.
If they are too close to the strings the magnets pull on them and the string can hit the pickup casing. Too far and they sound muffled.

 

[jmlee]

The maximum height for the pickup will be determined when a note, fretted as high as possible up the neck, develops a wobbling, chorus-type sound due to undue magnetic pull on the strings. Backing the pickup down until this effect just disappears will give you the maximum, best-fidelity output. Dropping the pickup further will progressively drop output and mute mids/highs.

On a two-pickup bass, adjusting relative pickup heights for each pickup will be a big determinant of the sound you'll get at 50:50 blend. To get balanced output between the bridge and neck pickups (assuming they're much the same), the neck pickup will generally need to be lower than the bridge pickup.

 

[Antisyzygy]

In general, I find small adjustments in height can be a good way of balancing the lows, mids, and highs. Has anyone else experienced this or am I just cork-sniffing again?

I always adjusted to manufacturer specs before, but when playing with a PJ that has a 3-way switch I'm noticing the constraint of not having dual volumes or a blend knob is making me adjust pickup heights. It really effects the way the pickups blend and the perceived difference in output when switching.

I'm actually experimenting with it a little at a time. I've noticed lowering a pickup reduces output and warms it up some. It also reduces attack somewhat.

Anyway, I'm lowering the P on my PJ and so far I like the results. It's making the 3-way switch useable for tonal changes. However I'll say this bass started with a good bridge sound already, which is harder to find on a PJ in my experience.

 

[Arrow]

Yes!

 

[Honch]

Not only does it affect tone, it expands the headroom. If you have - say - single coil pickups passive, you can get more noise floor room, and the 60 Hz buzz and RF noise will NOT be as penetrating if you raise them as high up as possible. Since the noise floor is lowered. Be wary of setting them too close, since MSP (Magnetic String Pull) can occur. You can see this as the actual oscillation of the string (any, new and old, flats and roundwounds) is very uneven and it sounds "chorusy" or the needle or reading into ANY tuner flickers, and jumps wildly which means you can't really tune or intonate the string.

I use to back down the pickups as far they go into the body, when I am doing intonation, and tuning, whenever I put on new strings. Then after that is carried out, I raise the pickups again, and my yardstick for it, is ...: maximum output without ever going into MSP. The resulting tone, timbre and flavor I'll have to live with. As close as possible. Mind you, thicker gauge strings, or of "pure nickel" type will not get you into MSP turf. They're too thick to be affected by the magnets. Of course, I'll avoid the "clack" on the low E-string when it occassionally touches the pickup poles. That sound drives me silly. I e when plucking or finger picking you tend to move the string downwards at the pickup prior to releasing it. A technique honing that's all.

 

[cnltb]

Does pickup height affect tone?
Absolutely!

 

[ubernator]

If you lower your pickups as far as possible you will notice a volume drop for sure which will need to be offset by adjusting your amps volume or EQ accordingly. Therefore, in my opinion, pickup height in relation to your strings does make a tonal difference.

Raise your pickups as high as you can and you will also expierence a tonal change, sometimes creating issues and a fuzzy out of phase tone on some basses.

Try it out for yourself, it's easy to reverse. Go crazy with it and have fun.

USS Iowa?

 

[JRA]

https://www.talkbass.com/members/line6man.120435/ and https://www.talkbass.com/members/40hz.73668/ covered it, IMO. i would add: not only does the pu height affect tone/responsiveness, but that in turn can affect the way the instrument is played for best results, so: i'm generally looking for an 'optimum', not so much for the actual sound, but for the way the instrument can 'feel' (particularly the plucking hand) as i play...

sometimes there are a lot of compromises to make and it's a matter of choosing the right ones for you. good luck!

 

[otp57]

I just spent a lot of time adjusting the pickup height on my basses. I bought a new amp which is closer to the hi-fi end of tonal spectrum. This amp does not scoop out the mids like my previous one did. So I set the amp eq flat and adjust the pickups for the optimal tone. That way my amp has less work to do correcting for tone elements that I don't like. This is not my first time doing this, but the hi-fi nature of this amp made the effect much more noticeable. I found that once I got near the optimal height, very small adjustments made a noticeable difference. For example, my Fender Roscoe Beck with flats took on a very pronounced percussive attack at a certain pickup height. (Not from slapping the pickups from what I can tell.) I was able to adjust the level of the attack by small changes in height. In general, I find small adjustments in height can be a good way of balancing the lows, mids, and highs. Has anyone else experienced this or am I just cork-sniffing again?

You are spot on with the pickups and no your are not cork-sniffing.
The adjustments in height will make a big change in the tones .