SGJ ‘61 Zebra pickup height

[JohnnyBlank]

If this has already been addressed I apologize, I searched but didn’t find this specific question.

I just picked up a 2014 SGJ, love it so far. The neck pickup is set really low (still sounds good) so I was wondering if anyone knows what the height should be? Alternatively, if anyone with these pickups has suggestions based on what sounds best after tinkering with them I would appreciate the suggestion.

Thanks

 

[Go Nigel Go]

Best bet is to do it by ear. There are a lot of ideas on starting points and which direction to go etc. The bottom line is, they all work as long as you are getting through the range of adjustment in some sort of organized way. You will find certain areas sound good, and others sound less good. When you are getting the best sound for what you are trying to create, that's it, you found it. Don't forget the pole screw adjustments as well. If you get things pretty good, but one or two strings are a little weak or overbearing, the pole piece screws allow you to correct individual string issues. At the end of the day, how I or anyone else have our pickups set will probably not give you any useful information. Get the sound and string balance that sounds best to you by simple experimentation. There are way too many external variables to get distracted by any sort of universal spec.

 

[DrBGood]

I'd say your neck pickup is where it should be if it sounds good. All my neck humbuckers are at ring level.

 

[JohnnyBlank]

Best bet is to do it by ear. There are a lot of ideas on starting points and which direction to go etc. The bottom line is, they all work as long as you are getting through the range of adjustment in some sort of organized way. You will find certain areas sound good, and others sound less good. When you are getting the best sound for what you are trying to create, that's it, you found it. Don't forget the pole screw adjustments as well. If you get things pretty good, but one or two strings are a little weak or overbearing, the pole piece screws allow you to correct individual string issues. At the end of the day, how I or anyone else have our pickups set will probably not give you any useful information. Get the sound and string balance that sounds best to you by simple experimentation. There are way too many external variables to get distracted by any sort of universal spec.

Excellent, thanks for the advice!

 

[skelt101]

@JohnnyBlank
Here is a video from Gibson on how to adjust your pickups. If nothing else, it can be used as a good starting point.

 

[hippielovegod]

If this has already been addressed I apologize, I searched but didn’t find this specific question.

I just picked up a 2014 SGJ, love it so far. The neck pickup is set really low (still sounds good) so I was wondering if anyone knows what the height should be? Alternatively, if anyone with these pickups has suggestions based on what sounds best after tinkering with them I would appreciate the suggestion.

Thanks

 

[hippielovegod]

If this has already been addressed I apologize, I searched but didn’t find this specific question.

I just picked up a 2014 SGJ, love it so far. The neck pickup is set really low (still sounds good) so I was wondering if anyone knows what the height should be? Alternatively, if anyone with these pickups has suggestions based on what sounds best after tinkering with them I would appreciate the suggestion.

Thanks

If this has already been addressed I apologize, I searched but didn’t find this specific question.

I just picked up a 2014 SGJ, love it so far. The neck pickup is set really low (still sounds good) so I was wondering if anyone knows what the height should be? Alternatively, if anyone with these pickups has suggestions based on what sounds best after tinkering with them I would appreciate the suggestion.

Thanks

Really depends on your sound aesthetic. I like my neck pickup on my SG to be a bit closer to have a more “flute-y” quality and mitigate the airiness which occurs when further away. On my Les Pauls I have them with more space in order to avert muddiness. There I put the Bridge pickup a bit closer to have that Dicky Betts Honk and for a natural boost when changing to the bridge.So basically plug your SG in whatever rig you use, dial in a clean sound and toggle between the positions until you are satisfied. There is really no benchmark in mm which you can follow. Trust your own taste.

 

[DrBGood]

Really depends on your sound aesthetic. I like my neck pickup on my SG to be a bit closer to have a more “flute-y” quality and mitigate the airiness which occurs when further away. On my Les Pauls I have them with more space in order to avert muddiness. There I put the Bridge pickup a bit closer to have that Dicky Betts Honk and for a natural boost when changing to the bridge.So basically plug your SG in whatever rig you use, dial in a clean sound and toggle between the positions until you are satisfied. There is really no benchmark in mm which you can follow. Trust your own taste.

You know you can edit your messages ?

And yes it is your taste, but your ears can trick you from one day to the next. So, even if you have found the magic height for one pickup, doesn't mean it won't sound meh the next day. Don't hesitate to do micro adjustments then, and again, until you're pretty sure you've got it.

Then you get a new amp ...

 

[berkleegrad]

Then you get a new amp ...

+1 on a new Amp

 

[berkleegrad]

I just picked up a 2014 SGJ, love it so far. The neck pickup is set really low (still sounds good)

Thanks

good advice up the thread.

The DeCola video is helpful; but, just a starting point. On some guitars I find the recommended bridge pickup height is too close and keeps the tone from being as clear as I want.

Back in the day, before we discovered graduated 6” metal rulers we used the old Dime, Penny Or Nickel to gauge our pickup height starting point.

 

[DrBGood]

good advice up the thread.

The DeCola video is helpful; but, just a starting point. On some guitars I find the recommended bridge pickup height is too close and keeps the tone from being as clear as I want.

Back in the day, before we discovered graduated 6” metal rulers we used the old Dime, Penny Or Nickel to gauge our pickup height starting point.

If I measure anything, it's when I need to share where mine sits.

 

[Robinruckus]

The Bill Lawrence method is always a good starting point. One nickel between the bridge pick up and the strings, two for the neck pickup. Humbucker pickups, I usually drop them a little more. Remember, if they’re too close, the magnetic field can actually reduce string vibration! But the Bill Lawrence method is quite effective. From there just use your ears. I like a certain balance in the middle switch position. So I use the middle switch position to find a sweet spot. Good luck.

 

[DrBGood]

The Bill Lawrence method is always a good starting point. One nickel between the bridge pick up and the strings, two for the neck pickup. Humbucker pickups, I usually drop them a little more. Remember, if they’re too close, the magnetic field can actually reduce string vibration! But the Bill Lawrence method is quite effective. From there just use your ears. I like a certain balance in the middle switch position. So I use the middle switch position to find a sweet spot. Good luck.

If I look back at where most of mine are, it's usually double the space from bridge to neck pups, humbuckers and P90s.

 

[hippielovegod]

You know you can edit your messages ?

And yes it is your taste, but your ears can trick you from one day to the next. So, even if you have found the magic height for one pickup, doesn't mean it won't sound meh the next day. Don't hesitate to do micro adjustments then, and again, until you're pretty sure you've got it.

Then you get a new amp ...

Yes. Where would you reckon I need to edit?

 

[DrBGood]

Yes. Where would you reckon I need to edit?

Where you quote JohnnyBlank twice :)

 

[TwinACStacks]

If this has already been addressed I apologize, I searched but didn’t find this specific question.

I just picked up a 2014 SGJ, love it so far. The neck pickup is set really low (still sounds good) so I was wondering if anyone knows what the height should be? Alternatively, if anyone with these pickups has suggestions based on what sounds best after tinkering with them I would appreciate the suggestion.

Thanks

You can fine tune by ear. I usually start at 3/32 Bass side and 1/16 treble side on all pickups and adjust from there. Good luck.

 

[jtees4]

Measuring does nothing IMHO, sound is all that matters. Play with the screws. Generally people put the neck pickup low to the rings if they want the two pickups to balance volume wise....some do, some don't. I do whatever sounds best with each guitar, simple screw turns.