pickup height question

[want2play]

I have a basic question.

Does raising the pickup closer to the string get the sound brighter or farther away? Or does it depend on the pickup?

TIA.

BTW, I did a search and did not find a clear answer.

[e-merlin]

Higher is usually brighter.

[flag72]

you should post this in the pick-up section
Daniel

[want2play]

Ok. I didn't know there was a section specific for pickups. I try to post it there.

Thanks.

Also, thanks for the quick reply e-merlin.

[cobaltu]

This can actually be kinda tricky, because even though moving the pickup closer to the strings makes the sound brighter it can actually make the pickup less clear as well. As you move the pickup closer to the strings it can influence the movement of the strings making the guitar duller and craggier sounding. Just something to keep in mind.

[want2play]

Thanks for that info cobaltu.

I just bought an American Special tele and I like it very much, but I just keep thinking
about how good the American Standard neck pickup sounded. To me it sounded
much brighter and maybe more open(?). Thus, my questions about pick-up height trying
to get the Special a little brighter.

[dividedsky]

Sometimes a little height adjustment can make a lot of difference. I agree you typically don't want them super close to the strings. I would start out by raising them a half turn or even a quarter turn and checking that out. I usually have the g/b/e side a half turn or so higher than the e/a/d side as well to get some more brightness.

[tele salivas]

"I usually have the g/b/e side a half turn or so higher than the e/a/d side as well to get some more brightness"

That is the standard method and one that I find works for me as well...like some people have found, if you get them too close, it will have a dulling effect and clarity will be lost. I use Alnico V pup on the bridge, and I have my pickup set almost as low as they can go, and for my guitar and sound, that is my favorite set up,,,I also use .08 guage strings and drive the amp a bit, and then roll off the volume to about 6 or 7 , ...that is how I get my aggressive 'clean', I am also balancing the bridge pup with a mini-humbucker in the neck.... so there are other factors to consider..but you are on to something , a lot of guys don't play with their PUP heights, and with Fender pickups I find it makes a world of difference..

[want2play]

Thanks for the great replies.

I bought my guitar two weeks ago from GC so I'm contemplating returning it for the American Standard because of the neck pick up on that sounded much better to my ears. But that would mean that I would have to order it since they only carry sunburst in the stores and I already have a sunburst strat so I don't want another.

What makes this decision even harder is that the American Special that i have plays really nice and the workmanship on it is great.

Another option for me is, if the pickup height adjustments don't do it for me, is to replace the pickup with a one similar to the American Standard. Is that all it takes to get close to that sound? - Although the tone circuit is a bit different.

Sorry for all the rambling.

[PeteMac]

Yep . . . pickup swap is easy.
The American Series p/ups come up on ebay from time to time.

Also, Dimarzio Twang King neck p/up is quite similar to the Am.Se.

I have one of each in my 2 Teles. I love that sound.

[chezdeluxe]

Hang on PeteMac the 2010 American Series pickups are "Texas Specials"

[PeteMac]

Ah . . .

So . . . American Standard - or American Series ?!?!?
I guess the O.P's description of the neck p/up he liked ( "brighter and open" ) sounded like the p/up in my Am. Series, so I went with that. Texas Specials never even entered my tiny mind!

My American Series is from 2005 and I know for certain they aren't Texas Specials. I think last year ( or the year before) they went back to using the American Standard name - or is it a different series altogether ?

I'm so confused !!!


Any hoo . . . either way - pickup swapping is easy and fun !!!

[chezdeluxe]

Pete I think FMIC do their best to keep us confused.

They changed the model name from American Standard to American Series sometime in the 90s,then changed it back to American Standard in 2008.

Now in 2010 they have launched a new American Series (believed to be replacing the Highway One series) to run alongside the American Standard.

This 2010 American Series is listed as fitted with Texas Specials but the polepieces are not staggered like Custom Shop Texas Specials. Go figure

[want2play]

I'm pretty sure the "American Special"s have, which mine is, the "Texas Specials" (BTW, there are a bunch of threads on this subject in the guitar forum) and the "American Standard" does NOT have the "Texas Specials." I think because mine has the "Texas Specials" they sound thicker/hotter but lacks the brightness of the "American Standard" pick-ups.

[want2play]

I'm new to teles, this is my first tele.

I'm trying to achieve the American Standard neck sound and keep the American Special bridge sound. If I swap the neck pick-up with the one from the American Standard or something similar would that do it? PeteMac? Or anyone?

[PeteMac]

OK . . .

So, the American Standard has Texas Specials. You can buy them as after-market items (don't know if you can buy them seperately - You may have to buy the pair and have a spare bridge p/up laying around: shouldn't be too hard to sell.)

Just install the neck p/up in your fave guitar and you're good to go.

( Then you'll have a full Tele set to sell !!! ) :~)

[Stylemaster]

Originally Posted by cobaltu

This can actually be kinda tricky, because even though moving the pickup closer to the strings makes the sound brighter it can actually make the pickup less clear as well. As you move the pickup closer to the strings it can influence the movement of the strings making the guitar duller and craggier sounding. Just something to keep in mind.

Would this apply to the Harmonic Design Super 90? It doesn't have magnet pole rods, but screws like a P-90.