I just read a post where someone mentioned that many people like the pickups as low as possible (away from the strings). What do you think the difference is? I always just assumed get as close to the strings as possible, but I never thought about the other way...

I don't see a voting choice for in between Higher or lower than what? - How the pickups are set stock from the factory?

My pickups are set pretty much near Fender's reccomendations in their setup guide here and sound fine to me. http://www.fender.com/support/stratocas ... _guide.php I wouldn't go higher than that.

Setting pickups too low and output is compromised, but they got to be really low. If single coil pickups are too close to the strings the magnetic pull will interfere with the strings vibrating and will sound funky, it's called "Stratitis". http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sour ... i&gs_rfai=

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Obligatory gear list: Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch, Vox, Martin, and more Fender.

The best position is: how the sound and tone are the best (for your ear)

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Blues Ya?

I used to set my pups up higher than Fender specs, then I decided to check out different pup heights. I discovered that I actually like my pups extremely low (almost even with pickguard). I get a more vintage tone that is warmer and I get a little more sustain. I can get some decent amp break up without my guitar sounding muddy.
I even have the pups on my LP set low.

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

interesting. I'll try it.

That was the very common "group think" myth. We were all so wrong. When in doubt, go lower ...

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

My luthier sets pickups entirely by ear. On my MIM Strat with stock pickups he set them as follows:

Neck: Bass - 5/64", treble - 4/64"

Middle: Bass - 6/64", treble - 5/64"

Bridge: Bass - 8/64", treble - 7/64"

I must say that they all sound extremely smooth and balanced in volume between each pickup and between bass and treble sides.

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Bill

I believe it reduces the output of the pickups so subtle tones can be heard. Plus having them too close to the strings causes a warble like out of tune sound from the magnets pulling on the strings.

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"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


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I have a three at different heights with the bridge being far higher than the rest..I would say the other two are less than a quater inch out of the pick guard...
But just out of curiosity an hearing the results from man people on this forums who's opinions i respect ..Im going to drop the pick up height and let you all know what i feel the difference is...

I like my pickups so high I have to part the strings to either sides of the pole pieces.

But seriously different pickups different action heights there is no such thing as high or low. There is what sounds ok or best if you have a decent ear for the difference.

like mine on my main guitar set really low like Chet. The loss of output is easily made up by the volume control on the amp. But I find you get a fuller pallet of overtones. Gotta find the sweet spot where the string effects the magnetic field of the pickup, but the magnetic field of the pickup barely effects the vibration pattern of the string.
YMMV (to quote martian.)

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

Although I voted for lower height, it actually depends on the pickups you use. I have a 1970 Stratocaster and the pickups are set low and sound better. I also have a Strat Ultra with Fender Laces on it, and those are as close as I can get them to the strings (without buzzing). Both are set to specs that Fender suggests.

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2007 Classic Player Baja Telecaster
1991 Strat Ultra
1990 Gibson ES-347
1986 Yamaha SBG2100
1980 Gibson L6-S
1971 Stratocaster
Fender Stage Lead Combo
Marshall MOSFET 100 watt Amp

i think the height of the pickup is different from one pickup to another...texas special pickup for example, its sounded better when it set low

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Jingle Maker / Music Composer http://www.adryans.multiply.com

agreed, i like my tex specs a bit lower than fender reccomender

I used to set my pickup heights by moving them as high as I can, plug in an amp, then back them down 1/4 turn a screw until the warbling went away. Recently I did just the opposite. I had them as close the pickguard as possible and raised them 1/4 turn of the screw until I heard what I felt was the best possible outcome for the pickups. I'm happy with my Texas Specials now.

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"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


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