Needing some information on setting the pickup height for the A and D strings. I've looked on the Fender website but it only states that the E should be set at 8/64 and G at 6/64. I'm just looking for a starting point and then I'll make my final adjustments from there. I've never bought a brand new Precision so I don't know how Fender sets the pickups at the factory. Thank you for the help.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Precision pickup.
- Thread starter Bushhog
- Start date
There are no rules only guidelines.
I typically start 6/64 & 5/64.
If you hear "warbling", raise them up a bit. (I"ve rarely encountered this)
Use your ears to "rough in" the rest.
I don't typically measure the A &D strings.
I wait a day and do the final "fine tuning" - again, just using my ears.
I typically start 6/64 & 5/64.
If you hear "warbling", raise them up a bit. (I"ve rarely encountered this)
Use your ears to "rough in" the rest.
I don't typically measure the A &D strings.
I wait a day and do the final "fine tuning" - again, just using my ears.
Those numbers might work if the OP is setting up a single coil Precision pickup, but if it's a split-coil, you really need to set up the A and D pickup height somewhere between the E and G string measurements, assuming it doesn't have a raised A pole.
Last edited:
Then let me elaborate further;
I usually "rough in" the A &D by sight, following the radius - the2 coils usually end up pretty close to flush with each other where they meet.
On some (split) Ps, the 2 coils have a noticeable slant. Others appear pretty level - regardless of radius.
(one big exception is on my CS '57 with raised A poles - it's cranked down on that side. Couldn't give you a measurement - I just adjusted until is sounded balance.)
Anytime I've measured the final height of the A & D - it never seems to correlate. That's why I trust my ear more than measurements. YMMV
With SCPBs - all bets are off;
You just have to find the relative height where the strings are the most balanced - meaning;
You can start with the E at 7/64 or 6/64 and adjust the G string - but this may not result in a good balance across the strings.
Then you just have to lower the E, and adjust the G again and see if that improves the balance.
Usually you can find the "sweet spot" where they balance pretty well. There's no measurement for that spot - it's just trial & error.
I usually "rough in" the A &D by sight, following the radius - the2 coils usually end up pretty close to flush with each other where they meet.
On some (split) Ps, the 2 coils have a noticeable slant. Others appear pretty level - regardless of radius.
(one big exception is on my CS '57 with raised A poles - it's cranked down on that side. Couldn't give you a measurement - I just adjusted until is sounded balance.)
Anytime I've measured the final height of the A & D - it never seems to correlate. That's why I trust my ear more than measurements. YMMV
With SCPBs - all bets are off;
You just have to find the relative height where the strings are the most balanced - meaning;
You can start with the E at 7/64 or 6/64 and adjust the G string - but this may not result in a good balance across the strings.
Then you just have to lower the E, and adjust the G again and see if that improves the balance.
Usually you can find the "sweet spot" where they balance pretty well. There's no measurement for that spot - it's just trial & error.
The beauty and the curse of a Precision pickup is that it can be set to match the string radius. IME the perfect balance though is somewhere between matching the string radius and flat- and you pretty much have to find that sweet spot for yourself by playing and adjusting to taste. Part of the issue is the traditional P coil locations that tonally imbalance the EA half with the DG half, such that I generally end up setting the DG half higher to beef it up and raise output to a degree- again usually done by ear and often dependent on the strings I'm using.
I set the string height at 5/64s on all 4 strings on initial setup. Then tweak as necessary, if needed. And usually there is very little, if any, needed. If any, I might have to raise the E-string a quarter of a turn. This seems to work well on all 3 of my P basses: a 2012, a 2017 and a 2018 (and my 2017 is a '58 Vintage Limited Edition Reissue).
8/64s (E-string) is a little high and is usually recommended for vintage basses. On newer models, Fender recommends 7/64s for the E-string side which still seems a little high for me.
Setups are a personal thing. Just make sure the sound you get from the strings is balanced.
For reference, see page 25 of the Fender Owner's Manual for Bass Guitars . . .
8/64s (E-string) is a little high and is usually recommended for vintage basses. On newer models, Fender recommends 7/64s for the E-string side which still seems a little high for me.
Setups are a personal thing. Just make sure the sound you get from the strings is balanced.
For reference, see page 25 of the Fender Owner's Manual for Bass Guitars . . .
Pink noise is my friend. I'll play pink noise through good headphones and then mix in my bass with the bass just barely audible above the pink noise. Then check notes on all strings. Adjust the pickups to be sure each string is just audible above the noise. The result is very even string to string volume.
I usually end up with more space under the E string than you'd expect but in the mix my low notes are not over powering and fills on the high strings cut through.
I usually end up with more space under the E string than you'd expect but in the mix my low notes are not over powering and fills on the high strings cut through.
I usually end up something like G-8/64, D-10/64, A-12/64, E 10/64. It definitely changes a bit depending which strings I'm using.
For example the La Bella flats I use have more output than most rounds and the G is often louder so I'll lower the G pickup to 9/64, or maybe lower all of them if the higher output of the strings starts to sound boomy.
In general my rule is get them as close to the strings as comfortable with my plucking/picking hand, and as close as they can be before starting to sound boomy. I also make sure to play along to a recording or record with a track I've made to make sure any strings aren't too quiet or too loud - this includes checking the high end of the neck vs the low end, because the high end of the neck has the strings closer to the pickups.
For example the La Bella flats I use have more output than most rounds and the G is often louder so I'll lower the G pickup to 9/64, or maybe lower all of them if the higher output of the strings starts to sound boomy.
In general my rule is get them as close to the strings as comfortable with my plucking/picking hand, and as close as they can be before starting to sound boomy. I also make sure to play along to a recording or record with a track I've made to make sure any strings aren't too quiet or too loud - this includes checking the high end of the neck vs the low end, because the high end of the neck has the strings closer to the pickups.
I always set up mine with 4mm gap on E and A strings and 3mm gap for D and G. Don’t forget to fret the top fret. Ask me how I know 
I'd jockey the height screws where you have the same clearance under the E, A, D, & G to start; You should wind up with the inside edge of each half slightly higher than the outside edge as you are following the arc of the four strings following the fingerboard radius.
Then listen carefully to each string. I'd play for awhile to see if anything seems louder or softer, than adjust to suit YOUR ears.
NOTE: This process works best with new strings.
Then listen carefully to each string. I'd play for awhile to see if anything seems louder or softer, than adjust to suit YOUR ears.
NOTE: This process works best with new strings.
When I bought the bass the pickup was set to the "vintage" height. After looking at the manual it suggested 7/64 and 5/64 for the American Standard. Those heights gave me much more clarity and definition. I'm really happy with the results!
Thanks for all of the help and suggestions. I really appreciate it.
Thanks for all of the help and suggestions. I really appreciate it.
Yes, 7/64s on the bass side and 5/64s on the treble side is Fender's recommendation. From there, just listen and try to get an equal balance between the strings making small adjustments to even things out.
Other things to consider yet not discussed, playing dynamics and action height. I set everything up with a pretty straight fret board and low action but I usually play with a fairly light attack, and only finger style. YMMV depending on your playing dynamics. The TIJF are on a couple of bass’s that are set up like that. Play too hard on any of them and along comes the buzzing.
