pickup height

[ken361]

whats the best height for the bridge pickup for the dk2m, some what heigher then the stock setup?

[Newc]

Depends on your preference. Closer to the strings will increase the output slightly, while further away will decrease the output.

Too close and the string will be in the outer bands of the magnetic field, which reduces signal.

If you're happy with the volume but not the drive, don't change the height, change the pickup.

[Axewielder]

I've heard 3/32" quoted as a starting point for the bridge pup. You can measure it using a 3/32" drill bit as a feeler gauge. As newc says, then adjust to taste.

[straycat]

There is no set measurement just adj to taste.Too close to the strings you will loose sustain and the magnets may pull the string out of tune slightly.Too far and you loose output.Adj both pickups to where they sound best to you and have about the same vol.Then adj the polepieces to fine tune the over all flavor of the pickup.
The factory just slaps them in and adjusts to a generic height.

[ken361]

pole pieces are the screws on top of the pickup? most people adjust them? thanks!

[Dreamland_Rebel]

pole pieces are the screws on top of the pickup? most people adjust them? thanks!

only if there are volume differences per string that you do not like.

[Axewielder]

pole pieces are the screws on top of the pickup? most people adjust them? thanks!

Don't worry about adjusting those if you are just starting out with this.

[ken361]

just wonderd if say u turn a screw to the right it brightens up sort of speak.

[Newc]

Not really brightens, it tweaks the output in favor of the given pole's string.

The poles can be used as a sort of EQ to shape the output characteristics of the pickup in relation to Major chords and solos - raise the treble poles to increase the output on the treble side, raise the bass poles to make it more bottom heavy, raise only the middle poles to accentuate the middle strings.

However, raising each set of poles will not affect the adjacent strings - raising only the 3rd pole will not affect the 4th string's output level. Also, you have to lower the pickup to get the most noticeable effect of individual pole adjustment.
This is best used with cleans and non-high-gain situations (i.e. Heavy Metal, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Country, etc). It's not as noticeable in high-gain playing like Death/Speed/Thrash. It will work with older Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Black Sabbath.

As well, I've found it to have the most noticeable effect on no-name import pickups that have two rows of screws, instead of just one with a row of slug poles.

[wilkinsi]

I usually tend to move the pup closer to the Treble E and away from the Bass E. Not much room for this on my WR1 compared to my WRMG (the latter being a bolt on with the neck higher than the body surface).

[ken361]

Thanks! seems lowering the bar on the 6th string is not as tight sounding which I like. See how sounds cranked when I can

[GryphonGuitar]

I've got the pickup pretty much as close as it can be, and as stated before, slanted a bit so that it's closer to the treble E, and further away from the bass E.

[thetroy]

I keep mine pretty far away. Modern amps have way more gain than is ever needed. No reason to have your pickups be loud too.

[straycat]

Too close to the strings and you will loose clarity and sustain.If you like muddy tone then go with it.

[DonP]

I'll also throw out that every pickup could be different and require different heights for hitting the "sweet spot". The string gauge you are using is also a factor.

A Gibson 500T with 3 ceramics or a Diuncan Distortion with an oversized ceramic would probably need to be further away from the strings than a Duncan Alnico Pro II with a weaker A2 magnet.

If you use 9's, they won't generate the power as a set of 12's will.

Like straycat said, if you get too close to the strings for the pickup you are using and it's a nasty muddy mess. No string clarity.