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Post new topic Pickup Height/Clearance: Less= Sharper Signal?
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Author Topic:  Pickup Height/Clearance: Less= Sharper Signal?
Eric West


From:
Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 27 Jul 2003 3:55 pm    
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I had JW rewind my E9 to 16000k to replace the standard SB one I had that was evedently tapped at 16k. I liked it.

I Also got a .25" magnet TT for the C neck.

It's standard 17k I guess.

What I'm finding is this:

They produce a stronger signal overall, but seem a little more susceptable to the middle strings being picked up less , especially on the C6. It's made me go to a 22/24 plain for the 5/6 on the C6, and larger wound strings for the 6th and 7th on the E9 28/32. That seems to solve the "evenness" issue.

What I'm finding is that with "more signal" I want to "thin it out" a bit. I've always had everything boosted to two o'clock on my Nvl 400, and don't see any real need to change that. Everything is just a little more "active". (I already get enough noise from boosting the highs, and cutting the lows just makes it sound more "hollow"..)

I have them about 3/16 under the strings on the E9. 3/16 to 1/8" on the C neck.

Would lowering them more give me a "sharper" signal?

(It's harder to tell "in the basement" what it will sound like "in the lodge"..)

What are some of youse guys' pickup/string clearances?

Thanks.

EJL
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Donny Hinson

 

From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
Post  Posted 28 Jul 2003 1:35 pm    
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Generally, the further the pickups are from the strings, the less highs you might hear. This is due to the fact that the fine strings don't generate as much pickup voltage (volume) as the larger ones do. This difference is caused both by the increased mass, and the increased movement (travel distance) of the larger strings. Somewhere between 1/8" and 1/4" should give you a good sound. (Distances less that 1/8" may cause the strings to hit the pickups too easily from hand pressure, and distances over 1/4" will cause a loss of highs, and volume as well, with most pickups.)
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