pickup alignment problem

[Carbuff]

Ok, so I just get done installing my regular spaced dimarzio super in my Hamer stellar with tom bridge. First thing I notice is that the strings are not spaced at all like the pickup. Sure enough, I check the specs and the original duncan designed is trembucker spaced. I guess I can live with that. Then I notice that the pickup is off to the bass side like 1/8". Hmm, then I notice that the pickup ring is not even centered on the strings. I figure maybe I can just remove the screws slide it over and make new screw holes. No can do. It turns out that the bridge route is off center. Up until now I thought the quality was pretty good on this korean made guitar. So, anyway, these 2 things add up to one insanely off centered pickup, mostly noticeable on the high E side. Heres a pic
http://members.aol.com/carbuff/dist.jpg
Its a fairly hot pup so in all honesty I can say that this doesnt seem to be affecting the sound. But, its annoying just the same. Am I being anal? Or would this bug you guys too. Are there differently spaced tom's? I dont seem to remember having this spacing difference on my epi sg when it had the tone zone in it, and I dont have any other tom equipped guitars at the moment to check. You can see how off centered the pickup ring is compared to the tom bridge.

[sully]

Re: pickup alignment problem

yes, you're being too anal.
yes, different bridge spacings do exist.
get a trem spaced pickup.

or better yet, get over it and just play the fuckin' thing.

[guitarsjb]

Re: pickup alignment problem

I don't think it would bother me that much, but I don't know, it's not mine..so, mail it too me..let me test it, and I will get back to you. Seriously, just play it. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Carbuff]

Re: pickup alignment problem

Ok, I figured that id get a few responses like this. I just take pride in the stuff that I do and it kinda pissed me off that the pickup was so off center. The spacing wasnt so much a problem but just sorta a question. Thanks for setting me straight!!!! [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

[etaeniura]

Re: pickup alignment problem

you could try bending the "feet" on the pickup so it hangs a little further to the treble side, but from the looks of things, that will put the rest of the strings off the poles a few mm. It looks like it was designed to have a trem spaced pup-which is really odd.

[Carbuff]

Re: pickup alignment problem

Yeah, the mudmaster Duncan designed that came out was indeed trem spaced which made the off center part hardly noticeable. I thought about bending the feet too. But I thought that would make the pickup look like it was falling out of the ring. It sounds fine so I guess I will just have to deal with it.

[savage]

Re: pickup alignment problem

[ QUOTE ]
Ok, I figured that id get a few responses like this. I just take pride in the stuff that I do and it kinda pissed me off that the pickup was so off center. The spacing wasnt so much a problem but just sorta a question. Thanks for setting me straight!!!! [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]
if you do not want to plunge and buy the tremspaced version what you need to do is shim the High E side at thew pups leg so it is pushed to the low E side more.
what you are looking for is for at least the outer rim of hex pole to at least be slightly under the string
looking at the pic,

i feel you can at least make the pup aligned good enough to not have to buy another [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]
i have done this before with excellent results i hope this solves your prob?

[Carbuff]

Re: pickup alignment problem

Thanks for the tip. The thing is that the actual pickup cavity is so off center also that I cant even force the pickup that far without the ear hitting the wood first. It seems to be sounding OK. I was thinking of bending the ears to make it sit centered but I thought that would look really ugly. Im not really too thrilled with having to take it all apart either right now. But I might dowell the ring holes and try and move the whole assembly up a bit. I will probably have to trim the cavity a bit on the one side but I think I can do it without making a mess. I was also considering getting a not trem spaced tom but was worried about how that would affect string spacing on the neck. Any how it will be about a week til I get the urge to pull it apart again. Do you think an oversized pickup ring will look stupid? I use those oversized switchplates all the time in my house. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Thanks to all for the suggestions.

[jgcable]

Re: pickup alignment problem

I wouldn't sweat that one bro. It won't affect anything.

[MOSHWITZ]

Re: pickup alignment problem

how bout a pup with rails?

[Carbuff]

Re: pickup alignment problem

Yeah, that would be cool, but the idea was to use this (free) one. I'll just mess with it when I get a chance. Its sounding great so I guess its no biggee.

[slash]

Re: pickup alignment problem

It's free, no worries [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[toejam]

Re: pickup alignment problem

Unless the looks of it really bother you (or if there's an actual drop-off in sound on the high E string) I wouldn't worry about it. Some people claim they can hear a difference if the strings don't line up directly with the pole pieces, but the magnet is pretty strong that it really doesn't matter, IMO.

[delt]

Re: pickup alignment problem

I'd say playing an off-centered pickup like that may result in serious damage to your guitar, to the pickup, and to your amp. But if i said that i'd just be kidding.

[savage]

Re: pickup alignment problem

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the tip. The thing is that the actual pickup cavity is so off center also that I cant even force the pickup that far without the ear hitting the wood first. It seems to be sounding OK. I was thinking of bending the ears to make it sit centered but I thought that would look really ugly. Im not really too thrilled with having to take it all apart either right now. But I might dowell the ring holes and try and move the whole assembly up a bit. I will probably have to trim the cavity a bit on the one side but I think I can do it without making a mess. I was also considering getting a not trem spaced tom but was worried about how that would affect string spacing on the neck. Any how it will be about a week til I get the urge to pull it apart again. Do you think an oversized pickup ring will look stupid? I use those oversized switchplates all the time in my house. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Thanks to all for the suggestions.

[/ QUOTE ]
you can slightly bend the legs of the dimarzio to make the shift possible,BUT BE DELICATE! [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
IMHO i really recomend just buying a F-spaced dimarzio [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]