Do you calibrate your individual pole pieces ?

[AndyR]

The reason I set them flush is because I want both coils to be putting out an even load (unless there is a deliberate offset in the wind of course).  If the screws are out too much then the screw coil will be picking up more signal than the slug coil.

That's kind of what I was imagining when I followed your post earlier in the week - let the pickups do what they want as Tim designed them, see where that gets me. (Having said that, all mine have arrived from BKP with the pole-pieces out further than I would usually go for - I had to screw them in to get them flush).

BTW When I got a chance to reset the Riff Raffs in my Gibson Explorer, the change was stunning, far more of an improvement (for me) than I got with the Mules in a Love Rock.

Haven't had time to fiddle with the MQs too much (the Love Rock's less than a week old, so I'm spending more time with this new "girlfriend"!)

[Canadian Steve]

I just adjusted the pole pieces on my Rebel Yells and I can't believe the difference - I didn't think it would make this much difference!  The sound is much sweeter now and smooths out the mids.  I set the screws flush with the cover and used the flat top of a metal ruler as a measurment guide.  I highly recommend doing this!!!

[Fourth Feline]

Thanks for the ongoing feedback folks !

I am finding the nicest results also with screws flush level to the pickup body.

Cheers !  :)

[pagan7]

With my Nailbomb and Painkiller open coiled sets I first screw the poles down flush then set the pup height to the sweet spots on the bass and treble sides and then adjusted the screw poles by ear for volume balance across the strings, and since I have independant volume and tone controls for neck and bridge pups I don't need to fiddle with the  pup height to get a volume balance between neck and bridge. I leave them in their sweet spots and adjust individual volumes and tones to suit.

[AndyR]

I hadn't realised this was as long ago as May...

I've not moved any pole screws at all since setting them all flush... (Mules, Riff Raffs and MQs) seems to work best for me as well... :D