Optimum pick up height for PG Blues pickups ?

[guitardaddy]

Hi
Great forum, just wanted to ask a question and say Hi as I am new here.
Just got a Gibson Les Paul Standard DC with PG Blues fitted and wondered if anyone had the optimum height for these pickups as they vary so much with adjustments. If they are too close to the strings, they don't sound right - a bit too hot - and too far away they don't have any oomph or tone, although they sound great for jazz. Adjusting the input gain on the amp does help but I keep hearing this 1/16th inch from the strings is the ideal height any comments welcome...............

[kellar]

Your pickup height is 100% dependant on what YOU think sounds best. What I do is start out by adjusting the neck pickup about even with the pickup ring and then adjust (almost always a turn or two down) until my tone is right where I want it. Once I have the neck set, I adjust the bridge pickup to balance with the neck. Most people do the bridge first, but because my neck pickup tone is so important to me, I adjust it first.
It is worth saying that BKP's are EXTREMELY sensitive to pickup height. A half turn in either direction can be the difference between being right where you want it, and just a bit off. It may take you a while, but you will find it.

[MrBump]

Howdy, and welcome.

Most people commenting on BKP hight adjustment do say that it takes a while to get it "just right".  I spent days with my Nailbombs moving them up and down - I think it's a testament to production of the PUPs that they sound so different under adjustment.

Incidentally, why the PG Blues?  I suspect that they're fine pickups, but I think an unusual choice for a first set.

Mark.

[guitardaddy]

Howdy, and welcome.

Most people commenting on BKP hight adjustment do say that it takes a while to get it "just right".  I spent days with my Nailbombs moving them up and down - I think it's a testament to production of the PUPs that they sound so different under adjustment.

Incidentally, why the PG Blues?  I suspect that they're fine pickups, but I think an unusual choice for a first set.

Mark.

They came fitted on the guitar when I bought it replacing the Gibson Burstbuckers

[Fourth Feline]

To speak of my individual  preferences ( which I would want to know If I had asked your question ) - I am with the 1/16" ( 1.6 mm ) Humbucker, Mississippi Queens - and Telecaster pickups , with 1/8 " ( 3.2 mm ) for strat pickups.

I know that Tim answered this question by saying he generally prefered between 2- 2.5 mm on his humbuckers.

I was surprised to read on the Gibson 'Custom shop' website - that they recommend 3/64 " - ( 1.2 mm  ) which is even closer than my 1/16 " !

I do like a touch of warm compression in my sound though, so if you want expanded dynamics you will of course want them further away .  There is a Gibson 335 owner on here ( Elavd ) - who has similar musical tastes to me ( i.e.Larry Carlton ) - but a photo of his pickups revealed almost 4-5mm gap. His 'You Tube ' demonstration (s) are  great though !

Please  ( in turn ) let me / us know what you eventually settle on ...  :D

[FernandoDuarte]

Humm I was thinking in it these days... good to know the beliefs of Master Tim, anybody know his suggests for single-coils, P90 and MQ?

[guitardaddy]

OK ! All done and sounding like a real old Les Paul, well, how I remember them anyway!
Plenty of air, bite and tone
Bridge Pickup 1/16th from top of pole pieces - 1st and 6th strings
Neck Pickup 3/32nds from top of pole pieces - 1st and 6th strings
Pole pieces adjusted to follow neck radius curve
Screw configuration  / \ / \ / \
Took a while but worth it in the end
Now I just have to leave it alone and play it !
If it ain't broke..............

[Fourth Feline]

OK ! All done and sounding like a real old Les Paul, well, how I remember them anyway!
Plenty of air, bite and tone
Bridge Pickup 1/16th from top of pole pieces - 1st and 6th strings
Neck Pickup 3/32nds from top of pole pieces - 1st and 6th strings
Pole pieces adjusted to follow neck radius curve
Screw configuration  / \ / \ / \
Took a while but worth it in the end
Now I just have to leave it alone and play it !
If it ain't broke..............

Great ! Thanks for sharing your 'test results' .  ( Oh, and welcome to the forum ! )  :)

[sjwebb90]

On a PRS the best sounds seems to come from the following: Holding the Top & Bottom E's string down on the last fret and measuring from top of screw pole pices to underside of strings ....3/32 both sides.