how sensitive are pickups to adjustment?

[Mrtoodamnsabre]

will a single mm make much of a difference? just trying to figure out how much it actually makes a difference to raise it one mm or not

 

[2saddleslab]

A little goes a long way. Let your ears be the judge.

 

[NoiseNinja]

The closer the current position of the pickup is to the strings the greater effect, relatively to difference in distance, an adjustment will have.

Generally a mm in most cases will have a fairly noticeable effect, but exactly how big a difference such an adjustment will result in, beside, as said, depending on how close to the strings the position of the pickup prior to the adjustment is, will also depend on the specific type of pickup, the strength and shape of it's magnetic field, how hot an output it got e.t.c.

All pickups are not equally sensitive, which will influence on how sensitive they in general will be to adjustments.

Also :

A little goes a long way. Let your ears be the judge.

This!

 

[Mrtoodamnsabre]

I’ve got it almost sounding like how the tech who originally set it up had it, which may have been slightly too close! But I got a Sabre bass and the pickups are between 3/32 and 4/32 to the strings with the last fret pressed down, I’m thinking the amount of tilt I’ll need since they’re close to the strings is going to be maybe a hair under 3/32 for the side near the g rather than the 1/32 of an inch that was between the e and a when the e side was at 4/32 and the g was at 3/32

 

[Mrtoodamnsabre]

Is less than a while 1/32 gonna change it much, I’ve noticed it generally does a shift in 1/32 increments with all increments between having marginal differences

 

[fhm555]

When I first tried setups, i just set my string height according to Fender specs. As I got better at setups the more I’d experiment with settings. I quickly learned the closer your pickup is to the strings the less adjustment it takes to make a noticeable difference.

 

[Mrtoodamnsabre]

When I first tried setups, i just set my string height according to Fender specs. As I got better at setups the more I’d experiment with settings. I quickly learned the closer your pickup is to the strings the less adjustment it takes to make a noticeable difference.

Im just transitioning out of factory specs mindset! That bass sound amazingly good before I messed with it. But I’m close to figuring out where it was. I think you’re right, the closer it is to the strings the less difference between the g and e strong height. As a tiny amount of tilt should set it right.

 

[fhm555]

Im just transitioning out of factory specs mindset! That bass sound amazingly good before I messed with it. But I’m close to figuring out where it was. I think you’re right, the closer it is to the strings the less difference between the g and e strong height. As a tiny amount of tilt should set it right.

For tilt I shoot for even output across all strings. For volume i shoot for even output between pickups.

 

[iiipopes]

The signal that a string induces to a pickup varies as the square of the distance the string is from the pickup, not linearly. So depending on the pickup, a little bit of adjustment can go a long way. Every pickup has a "sweet spot" that the distance the string is from the pickup produces the best tone. EMG's, for example, have low gauss magnets, so the manufacturer prefers the pickups to be as close as possible to the strings without interference. Other pickups that have strong magnets may need to be adjusted with more space between the pickups and the strings, especially since too strong a magnetic field can pull the string out of tune, what the guitar players know as "Stratitis," and not allow the instrument to intonate properly.

Bottom line: yes, a little adjustment can make a lot of difference. That's why pickups have adjustment screws. Experiment with different heights to get the best tone out of the pickups.

 

[Mrtoodamnsabre]

Yeah the trouble I’m having is there’s this chorus like sound that keeps migrating to different parts of the neck, it seems like it’s almost gone though. Would a technician have tools for this or would is this very simple technology stuff, I got a ruler but my ruler isn’t very good, going to get a better one today I think

 

[Arie X]

Yeah the trouble I’m having is there’s this chorus like sound that keeps migrating to different parts of the neck, it seems like it’s almost gone though. Would a technician have tools for this or would is this very simple technology stuff, I got a ruler but my ruler isn’t very good, going to get a better one today I think

the tool used for pickup adjustment is a screwdriver. i sure hope the tech has one.

fwiw, i work in particle physics and magnetics -metal rules aren't the ideal tools to use for pole to string measurement of permanent magnets although nearly everyone outside of this field seems to do so. at home i'll use a plastic ruler as needed.

 

[Mrtoodamnsabre]

Sounds complicated, do you think I should bring it to a tech or something to hammer it out, been trying really hard to get the warble out, seems like when I push it one way it shows up in another part of the neck

 

[shoulderpet]

Sounds complicated, do you think I should bring it to a tech or something to hammer it out, been trying really hard to get the warble out, seems like when I push it one way it shows up in another part of the neck

Sounds like the pickups are too close to the strings to me, I would lower them a bit and see if the problem goes

 

[MynameisMe]

Sounds like the pickups are too close to the strings to me, I would lower them a bit and see if the problem goes

I'm with this.
When I get the pickups too close it tends to clip when I'm playing hard. Which is most of the time.

 

[Slater]

Sounds like the pickups are too close to the strings to me, I would lower them a bit and see if the problem goes

I agree. I would lower the pickup until it bottoms out, then gradually raise it until the problem comes back. That way you can find the maximum pickup height (for the current strings and set up).

 

[MynameisMe]

You can get several different levels of sound by adjusting the pickup height.
Sometimes less is more.

 

[JRA]

I got a ruler but my ruler isn’t very good

you don't need a ruler:

Let your ears be the judge.

 

[iiipopes]

You don't need a ruler:
View attachment 4427055

Actually, a ruler can be very helpful to get into the ball park of the pickup manufacturer's or instrument manufacturer's recommendations. Then use your ears to fine tune. (pun intended)

For example, Fender overall string height out of the owner's manual:

"String height is more about personal preference and playing style than a pre-determined spec. Check your tuning first, then use a 6” ruler to measure the distance between the bottom of each string and the top of the 17th fret. That distance should be approximately 6/64”, which is Fender’s recommended spec on both the bass and treble sides. Adjust each bridge saddle accordingly, and keep in mind that string height can be set to whatever feels right for you."

Then next is the pickup height recommendations (sorry - I'm not good at adding tables).

"PICKUP HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT CHART Pickup Type Bass Side Treble Side Vintage Style Precision Bass® 8/64” 6/64” Vintage Style Jazz Bass® 8/64” 6/64” Standard Jazz Bass 7/64” 5/64” Standard Precision Bass 7/64” 5/64” American Standard Jazz Bass 7/64” 5/64” American Standard Precision Bass 7/64” 5/64” Vintage Noiseless™ Jazz Bass 8/64” 6/64” N3 Noiseless Jazz Bass 8/64” 6/64” Special Design Humbucking 7/64” 5/64”"

 

[JRA]

i think in all cases, musical = the ears have it!

For example, Fender.....

 

[Mrtoodamnsabre]

But also! I’m not necessarily going for sounding particularly good here! I’m trying to eliminate the wolf tones! Could a slight tilt to the pickups do the trick?