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Post subject: Why the angled pickups?
Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:35 am
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Roadie
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Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2009 2:37 pm
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Location: Canada, NB
This is really a general question on something I don't really understand.
How come on a p bass the two pickup pieces are set at to different angles? and why would my jazz bass have pickups that are perfectly level? also why do some pickups have elevated pole pieces? do these thing improve sound?if so should I change the angles of my jazz bass pickups and how?
Thanks, Will P


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Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 3:42 am
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Rock Star
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The split pickup design of the P-bass allows you individually adjust each half of the pickup array. The P-bass pickup is bass heavy, therefore they are often setup with the poles for the "E" string the lowest to improve string to string balance. Also they allow you to compensate somewhat for the neck radius.

I like to raise the "G" string poles higher than factory settings for a brighter sound. You can use a VU meter on a mixer or recording software to balance the pickup height adjustments. Set the EQ flat all around before doing this. You can even use a compressor with input signal strength indicator lights to adjust string to string balance. When done they should all be about even in volume, or as close as you can come. I usually start with the "A" string as a reference point as that is often the weakest in volume.

The raised poles were primarily used to compensate for neck radius. Fender kept raising and lowering pole pieces on standard pickups. Raised poles are far more important on a small radius neck than on a slab neck or even on today's medium radius necks.

You do not want the poles too close to the strings or they will have a dampening effect on the vibration of the strings.


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