Pick up height?

[NYgiant]

I don’t know if it just me, but I just noticed this this evening and I’m assuming it’s always been like this. That’s the weird thing. At any rate and bought this new from guitar Center and these pick ups seem to be out of whack.
what should the pick up heights be? Also, should they be the same height dependent upon measuring the bass side or treble side? I measured the pickup height and this is what I’m getting in the pictures. It’s a Fender jazz, MIM.

 

[Turnaround]

You cannot assume that the heights are optimized right from the factory. Start by holding the string down at the last fret and adjust the pickups to have 1/8” clearance both sides both pickups. Adjust from there by ear for string to string and pickup to pickup balance.

 

[kyral210]

That’s pretty much it. despite it being the right answer I hate it. I have it because differences are easier to hear through a loud amp and I’m always doing my adjustment on a small amp.

the good news is you can just go 1/8 for all neck/ bridge E and G, and leave it at that. However, listen to your bridge, switch to your neck, and listen. If the volumes are even, stop there. If the neck is louder, drop the pickup down. If the neck is quieter, raise the neck up. That’s it.

Pickup height has more to do with even volume than tone.

 

[Lo-E]

You cannot assume that the heights are optimized right from the factory. Start by holding the string down at the last fret and adjust the pickups to have 1/8” clearance both sides both pickups. Adjust from there by ear for string to string and pickup to pickup balance.

This. FWIW, I usually adjust down on the bass side rather than up on the treble side when going for string-to-string balance and down on the neck rather than up on the bridge when adjusting pickup-to-pickup but I use the same starting point as @Turnaround.

 

[Derek Kay]

Agree with the above. The factory settings are a starting point

Pickup heights are the last thing to adjust, after the action is set how you like it, with the strings you prefer.

The main problem is a flat PU sensing a radius of the strings: the E & G are closer and thus louder. Lowering the neck PU helps even that out. A clipping light on a preamp can visually help you find an even output. The last check is with your ears.

Set the bridge PU to match the neck PU output.

 

[LoveThatBass]

Pickup height also depends on how much iron is in the strings. Nickel strings require more height while those with more steel a lower height. As a result, I use my ears to adjust and not a measured height. I adjust to a height that has good low end but remains articulate.

 

[NYgiant]

Appreciate all the replies fellas. I’ll make some adjustments and see. Crazy thing is I thought I was losing my mind. I’ve had the bass since October and just noticed the other night. I thought somebody was playing a trick on me or something. That neck pick up is definitely a lot lower. It’s a tad hard to even rest your thumb on it when playing with fingers.

 

[LoveThatBass]

Maybe your neck has more bow in it causing the distance from the strings to increase.

 

[NYgiant]

Maybe your neck has more bow in it causing the distance from the strings to increase.

Thats a good point, and could be a possibility. However, look in this picture at how much of the actual pick up you can see coming out of the bass guitar. The bridge one shows a lot more.

 

[LoveThatBass]

Bridge pickups are typically higher because the string movement is a lot less near the bridge plus the strings are higher at the bridge than the neck. Having said that, the neck could be raised a bit more. Just know that if you go too high the magnetic pull on the strings will bring them out of intonation and they will also sound warbly.

On the slight chance you are living in the twilight zone and your neck pickup lowered itself then all bets are off

 

[NYgiant]

Bridge pickups are typically higher because the string movement is a lot less near the bridge plus the strings are higher at the bridge than the neck. Having said that, the neck could be raised a bit more. Just know that if you go too high the magnetic pull on the strings will bring them out of intonation and they will also sound warbly.

On the slight chance you are living in the twilight zone and your neck pickup lowered itself then all bets are off

Man……if it lowered itself……..I’m outta here!

I mean, maybe I just leave it. The bass sounds good in my opinion. Especially with my new Tone Hammer preamp pedal! I guess it’s more of a visual thing for me.

 

[kyral210]

Agree with the above. The factory settings are a starting point

Pickup heights are the last thing to adjust, after the action is set how you like it, with the strings you prefer.

The main problem is a flat PU sensing a radius of the strings: the E & G are closer and thus louder. Lowering the neck PU helps even that out. A clipping light on a preamp can visually help you find an even output. The last check is with your ears.

Set the bridge PU to match the neck PU output.

True, although a compressor in the final chain reduces the necessity a little

 

[maturanesa]

The closer you can get without the strings hitting the pickups and not chorused sound on the lasts frets.

 

[kgbeast]

...also while balancing the output of the bridge and neck pickup if your have two pickups.

 

[LoveThatBass]

Getting the pickup to close to the strings can cause magnetic pull on the strings pulling them out of intonation and making a warble or chorus sound.

 

[ctmullins]

I guess it’s more of a visual thing for me.

Don't listen with your eyes.

 

[TomB]

Getting the pickup to close to the strings can cause magnetic pull on the strings pulling them out of intonation and making a warble or chorus sound.

Since this has been multiple mentioned it’s probably worth adding that this issue is mostly prevalent with the lower strings, especially the B on a 5-er. It can occur on an E string as well - not as likely on the skinnier ones IME.