Does changing pickup make a huge difference in tone? I learned that it won't sound much different at all unless you're using a very decent big amp? I was originally planning on changing the pickup, but since I'm using a small Roland Micro Cube Amp most of the time for practicing (unless sometimes performing on stage or in a practice room where they have good quality big amp, which doesn't happen so often), I don't see the point of spending money to switch my Stractocaster's original pickups, esp when I'm on a limited budget. How about playing around with the pickup height and stuffs, can that make a huge if not huge quite noticable change in tone? I've never done this before, if I'm planning on turning the screws of my pickups the get a better tone I wanted, is there anything I need to watch out for? Or I can just turn it any way I want till I get the tone? And how do I know turning which way gives me what tone? Also, how do I make sure they have equal volume?

Jimmy25, have you read the rules about multiple accounts?

If you set the pick ups too close to the strings you'll begin to get wolf tones, and it may effect the tuning as well.

The quickest and cheapest way to change you tone is by playing with the EQ on your amp.

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Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

You'll get string pull if you get too close. IMO, If I were you I'd start saving for another amp. Pickup height can increase or decrease output thus changing the tone, but you'll never really reap any tonal benefits with a tiny amp. I wouldn't waste any money on pups until you get a little better amp.

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

i have my strat middle set flush with the scratch plate because i use it for rythm and it is quieter when it is further away, also because i fingerpick my fingers kept touching it and that annoyed me. for solos i change to any other combo

i dont think it really effects tone.

My answer to the tone question, believe it or not, is gonna be.. Yes.

Everyone has their own ear to what they consider "tone" to be. So not every opinion is the same.

But when I set my heights, I start at about 1/8 inch below the strings. If I hear them distort in the clean channel, I start to back the pickup away from them. If I happen to go too far from them, they tend to sound flatter and a bit lifeless to me. There is a sweet spot to where you get some sweet overtones and the pickup sounds colorful without distorting. But that sweet spot is different to each individual's taste.

If the pickup doesn't sound colorful enough for my taste either way.. It comes out and I try something different.

Since the term "tone" to me is a very vast pool of perception, I couldn't possibly begin to define it in a general sense. So I usually just ask myself whether I like what I'm hearing or not. If so, cool, if not, change it until I do. I only trust my own judgement on what sounds good to me. Sometimes changing the pickup height will get me to like a pickup. So I think it does become part of the equation when taking in account overtones and output as well as the sound of the pickup itself.

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Exactly. Getting closer to the strings will increase the signal strength or output but can also have an effect not only on intonation but sustain and how clean the signal is. These things are all associated with tone. There are other factors to tone besides bass and treble. Pickups, the body and neck material to the bridge and trem block and even your guitar cord. If it was that simple, all we would need is tone controls on the guitar. Yep and like Jah says, you need to trust your own judgement. If you play with tons of gain and effects with the mids turned off, you probably will hear no difference. The adjustments need to be done without any effects and the tone controls set flat so you don't color the sound.

Jah, man hows the band going?

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

Good 63supro. Sorry it took me a while to respond. I'm working full time and playing in the band right now. There's not a whole lot of extra time on my hands these days.

We just played in front of about 1,000 people outdoors last Saturday night off Freemont Street. Got a few big shows and a huge Hawaiian festival coming up. We're writing more songs for our upcoming cd. Music video to be made.

The band is going through a very interesting phase right now... The legal phase. Very interesting to say the least. The band is an LLC now, music attorney, accountant, etc. There are a LOT of things to discuss and hash out. It can turn people against each other or make us stronger. I guess we'll see.

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That's great. Take your time with the legal stuff. It's very easy to get shafted. Years ago we had a couple of lawyers. Also be real careful with the accountants. Be sure they're reputable and stay on top of your finances. I've had a couple of issues with both lawyers and accountants. You and your band do a great job. I really enjoy the videos.

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal