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Post subject: MIM HSS Quiet high-E string (neck and mid pickups)
Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2019 11:25 am
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Hi All!

Looking for advice on how to get the high E-string screaming on my strat. I'm more experienced with acoustic guitars than electric, so I'm trying to learn. Here's what I've got and the problem:

2017 MIM HSS

The high e-string sounds great on the Humbucker (bridge) pickup. It has a strong bite, good volume that matches the other strings. On the single coil neck and middle picks, they are, in general, quieter than the humbucker but especially on the high e string. I've heard humbuckers usually crank out more volume than single coils, so I understand that part.

Comparing just the high E on the single coil vs. the humbucker pickup, I would say the single coils are at 80% volume compared to the humbucker (100%). Is this common on all HSS strats? I'm trying to figure out when my guitar will be "as good as it gets" before I start playing with amp and pedal settings. I just don't have enough experience to know when that is. I should say I'm currently addressing this issue clean through the amp with no effects or pedals at all.

I've searched a lot of forums on this so let me tell you a bit of what I've found and what I've done to eliminate some of the usual things:

1. I'm using Ernie Ball super slinky 9 gauge strings. They are new.
2. I am not having any issues with sustain on the high e unplugged. It rings out at the same volume and sustain time as the other strings.
3. Yes, there is a string tree on the high e and b strings. I tightened it down a bit too.
4. I reset the string action on the saddle to be factory standard.
5. I reset the single coil pick up heights to be factory standard.
6. I then raised the high end of the pickups with the adjustment screws to get the high e string louder and judged it by ear.

I feel that the neck and mid pickups both perform now at the same volume. Everything is "better" but not great. What are your thoughts? Have I just reached the point where it's time to add in the electronics/amp adjustments/pedals, etc? I recently got the Fender Mustang GT200.

It has been suggested also to replace the high-e string with 10 gauge instead of 9. I may do this yet. I just want to know from those with more experience, does it seem like I've come to the end of things to try before adding in higher gauge strings, boosts and pedals? Would I be correct in saying that the guitar set up takes you 90% of the way there and the additional electronic adjustments take you the rest of the way?

Thanks in advance for your helpful advice!
Dave


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Post subject: Re: MIM HSS Quiet high-E string (neck and mid pickups)
Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2019 1:16 pm
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1- Screw down humbucker

2- Screw single coil pickups high string side closer to high string-

3- Bigger string gauge


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Post subject: Re: MIM HSS Quiet high-E string (neck and mid pickups)
Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2019 7:28 pm
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^^^^
This above.
It is conventional wisdom and it works the majority of the time.
On my HSS Strat my trembucker is set quite low.
That helps it balance with the neck and middle pups which are set higher.
For some people, balancing pickup heights is the tricky part of a setup.
It can take time to develop an ear for it and once you get good at it you may notice that if something else changes in your rig you may find yourself reaching for a screwdriver.
I say you need an ear for it because you are evaluating the volume of different switch positions but the tone of those positions is different so your perception can be off at first because you're not comparing apples to apples.

While you are fiddling with such things bear in mind that an individual pup doesn't have to be dead level.
The high E end doesn't have to be exactly the same height as the low E end.
It's perfectly fine to have one end a couple of screw turns higher or lower than the other end.
You probably don't want to push that to extremes but it is an option if you find yourself in a too much/too little situation.

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Post subject: Re: MIM HSS Quiet high-E string (neck and mid pickups)
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 7:13 am
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I think these guys are on the track. The distance of strings to the poles is not only a big deal, but adjustable. And they will NOT be even from Bass to Treble, (good point given above on that)

There are ball park measurements you can start with, but you will also need to find the sweet spot for those pickups, based on your attack, (how heavy handed you are or are not) and things like that.

There's many links you will find if you search "pickup height adjustment"

Look at the "Strat" links first, then see what the humbucker/strat links say.

These will be starting points.

BTW, these links should mention this but... You need to make all your measurements while pressing down the two E strings at the last fret. (Don't forget that, It's the key factor in deciding where they should be.)


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Post subject: Re: MIM HSS Quiet high-E string (neck and mid pickups)
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 10:56 am
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KidBlast wrote:


BTW, these links should mention this but... You need to make all your measurements while pressing down the two E strings at the last fret. (Don't forget that, It's the key factor in deciding where they should be.)



+1


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Post subject: Re: MIM HSS Quiet high-E string (neck and mid pickups)
Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2019 6:49 am
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Thanks everyone! I appreciate all the thoughts and wisdom. Keep rockin'!


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