Mudbucker pickup height question

[Dan_reeves]

I have been frankensteining a Jay Turser beatle bass - a fun project to try some new and weird things. When I got it it sounded like a typical beatle bass. I think the stock pickups are something like 7-8 ohms or whatever these would normally be. Not too hot, not too cold.

I am considering installing mudbuckers in both pickup positions as an experiment. I like the mudbucker sound and have two laying around so though why not?

I have a question or two about pickup height. Being that the mudbuckers are both about 30 ohms a piece, I am assuming they'll be way hotter than the stock humbuckers, which I want. Do I need to try to match the pickup height to what's on there now? Here is a picture for reference - the stock pickup was set where I wanted before I started taking everything a part. The mudbucker would be a little lower in the case of the neck pickup, way lower than the bridge, as seen in these pictures.

Bridge:

Do you think I would need to build a surround of some kind to bring the pickups "up to height", so to speak? I am less concerned about the neck, since I know you can adjust the poles. But what about the bridge? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[ctmullins]

Wow. Subbed for results!

Yes, I would use a shim under the bridge pickup, and fine-tune with the polepiece screws. Obviously, if this is for experimentation, it won't matter what the shim is made of - plastic, plywood, tuna sandwiches. Okay, maybe not sandwiches.