Odd pickup setup on new p-bass

[churchy]

Hello all...

Just acquired a new P Bass, and on arrival the pickups were set up in a very odd way.

Both outside screws (on each pickup) were wound all the way down and the two screws on the inside were set very high.

This meant the pickups were very close to the A & D strings and a far away from the E & G.

I know they Fender are not going to be really particular about setting everything perfect, it just seemed a bit extreme.

Anyone know a reason for this? I have never seen a setup like it.

 

[Sundogue]

Hello all...

Just acquired a new P Bass, and on arrival the pickups were set up in a very odd way.

Both outside screws (on each pickup) were wound all the way down and the two screws on the inside were set very high.

This meant the pickups were very close to the A & D strings and a far away from the E & G.

I know they Fender are not going to be really particular about setting everything perfect, it just seemed a bit extreme.

Anyone know a reason for this? I have never seen a setup like it.

Depends on the radius of the neck and the setup of the bridge/strings, but it's not unusual to have the pups at an angle (instead of straight). Of course, it's a bit odd if the outside of the pups are screwed all the way down and the inside being up very high.

 

[precision punk]

I set my pickups on my Fender P like this as well but tend to lower the two screws on the inside a bit lower than the "factory settings" you described. I guess its suppose to balance the output?

 

[FunkMetalBass]

Yes, it's supposed to balance the output. You're trying to get the poles to be equidistant from the respective string, although your playing style will likely force you to make some minor adjustments to get the best volume balance.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Thats easy enough to fix. Do you haz screwdriver?

 

[EighthNotes]

I don't think they need to be ALL the way down, but ideally, the pickups should follow the curve of the fretboard. Thus, the outsides lower than the insides.

 

[churchy]

Thanks fellas..

As said above, a bit of an angle is to be expected, but It was kinda of one extreme to the other.

No big deal just curious.

Anyway, adjusted them so they sit a bit flatter and she is sounding lovely.

Thanks!!

 

[Diogenes]

... As said above, a bit of an angle is to be expected, but It was kinda of one extreme to the other...

I wouldn't be surprised if the PO did it because it looked bitchin'.

 

[dwm74]

FWIW, here's how I set mine up...Kept adjusting until I got an even string volume. I've since lowered the E side a hair more.

 

[Bassdirty]

Just acquired a new P Bass, and on arrival the pickups were set up in a very odd way.

Both outside screws (on each pickup) were wound all the way down and the two screws on the inside were set very high.

I have never seen a setup like it.

Pesaonally, I have never seen one that wasnt set up like that.

I always thought that it was silly...and still debating.
P-basses seem fine to me without makin those strings "more pronounced".

Now the E string....