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Post subject: 57 AVRI pick up adjustment?
Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 10:21 pm
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Hello all,
I recently purchased a 57avri. I notice that the string to string volume is not balanced. The E string seems so much quieter than the A string. This basss has the protruding pole pieces for the a string. Any tips for balancing the output.

I did do some frequency tweaking on my amp and it helped, but the a string is still much louder than the E string. The other strings are fine. I just want more output from the e string.

Ant suggestions for a good starting point for pick up adjustment?


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Post subject: Re: 57 AVRI pick up adjustment?
Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 2:14 am
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Just unscrew ( philips head screw ) the bass E string side or screw the high E side for your taste.

First ; are you sure each string have proper ( right ) action ?


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Post subject: Re: 57 AVRI pick up adjustment?
Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 6:13 am
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I did raise the a and d strings to match the radius. I am making some headway. Looking at the way the pickups are sitting the E side is high, which looks very un p bassy : )


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Post subject: Re: 57 AVRI pick up adjustment?
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 2:38 pm
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There is a danger in over-compensation for what you perceive to be an output deficiency on one string. Over-compensating can actually make it worse because when you get a pole piece too close to a string the magnetic pole piece it can actually have a dampening effect upon the string which is counterproductive. The goal here is a happy medium in output volume between all the strings. It could be that you need to lower the other three poles instead of raising just that one.

I alternate using a VU meter and my ears in combination to find the best string to string balance. It is important to note that amp EQ and cab tuning can come into play, so set the EQ flat and check the output on a VU meter through a direct-input such as is present in most recording software interfaces. Checking it using the direct input with the EQ set flat eliminates the variables of a cabinet or room acoustics coloring the result.

Another variable to keep in mind is that string sets do not go dead collectively and some string sets actually have terrible inherent string to string balance even when brand new! It isn't always the pickup's fault! It is also possible to get a bad string right out of the wrapper.

I was never a big fan of the raised "A" pole myself, but on severely radiused necks like the 7.5" it seemed, on paper at least, to be a logical idea to try at the time. However in actuality today it can complicate balance issues during a setup, especially when used on flatter radius instruments or when used with modern "high output" alloy strings that didn't even exist back then. In 1957 there was basically only nickle wrapped flats available.


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Post subject: Re: 57 AVRI pick up adjustment?
Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 1:23 pm
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brotherdave wrote:
There is a danger in over-compensation for what you perceive to be an output deficiency on one string. Over-compensating can actually make it worse because when you get a pole piece too close to a string the magnetic pole piece it can actually have a dampening effect upon the string which is counterproductive. The goal here is a happy medium in output volume between all the strings. It could be that you need to lower the other three poles instead of raising just that one.

I alternate using a VU meter and my ears in combination to find the best string to string balance. It is important to note that amp EQ and cab tuning can come into play, so set the EQ flat and check the output on a VU meter through a direct-input such as is present in most recording software interfaces. Checking it using the direct input with the EQ set flat eliminates the variables of a cabinet or room acoustics coloring the result.

Another variable to keep in mind is that string sets do not go dead collectively and some string sets actually have terrible inherent string to string balance even when brand new! It isn't always the pickup's fault! It is also possible to get a bad string right out of the wrapper.

I was never a big fan of the raised "A" pole myself, but on severely radiused necks like the 7.5" it seemed, on paper at least, to be a logical idea to try at the time. However in actuality today it can complicate balance issues during a setup, especially when used on flatter radius instruments or when used with modern "high output" alloy strings that didn't even exist back then. In 1957 there was basically only nickle wrapped flats available.



In contrast the raised A is, in my opinion, the perfect match for the vintage 7.25" neck radius. All a matter of taste.

You may get frustrated and try to "shortcut" it. DON'T! Don't drop your bridge too low, or bottom out the pick up. Doing either MIGHT give you the balance you are chasing, but isn't good for the playability of the bass or it's overall performance. Meaning, if you adjust your bridge to work with your pick up bottomed out, then you've only one way to go which screws you on getting good intonation. The same holds true vice versa. If you try to raise the bridge for the A string way up, it will likely leave you in a position where you can't get it both balanced and intonated. Also, you'll really need to stretch to get over the A string when playing. It's just not good.

In the end, It's just an adjustment of both that is a little bit different then what you, or likely the tech if you use one, is used to. The Raised A Split Coil is my favorite of all P pick ups beside the actual original single coil. The mid-range punch and bounce of a 57RI is a beautiful thing once you get it right. A sound from a lost time. One that settles so sweetly in the mix. Well worth the money for the bass, and the little bit of extra tinkering it takes to get it right.

Good luck!

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Post subject: Re: 57 AVRI pick up adjustment?
Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 10:25 am
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AV 57 owners have reported pressing the A pole pieces down to the same level as the E pole pieces. Me, I haven't messed with mine, and haven't detected any difference in output between the strings.

Here's mine:

Image

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Post subject: Re: 57 AVRI pick up adjustment?
Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 2:30 pm
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The pole piece pushing is crazy as it can cause real problems in the pickup. I've heard of it before but I think the idea for doing that came from someone selling replacement pickups.

I like the '58 pickups better than the '57's.


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Post subject: Re: 57 AVRI pick up adjustment?
Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 2:55 pm
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+1 brotherdave


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Post subject: Re: 57 AVRI pick up adjustment?
Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 6:52 pm
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I was putting the idea out there. I won't do it to mine. :mrgreen:

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