I get this question all the time in my Telenator e-mail and have finally written up a procedure.
Setting up a pair of CuNiFe WRHBs is not that easy, and you will not get the best tone from them if you're unsure of what to do.
Because of the sensitivity of the threaded magnets, combined with finding the optimum overall pickup height settings, it becomes very easy to turn this seemingly simple process into a real mess. Following this procedure will make things go a lot faster and yield better results on the first try.
While these tips apply in large part to many other pickups, some of the information here is unique to the WRHB. Have fun!
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How to adjust a CuNiFe Wide Range Humbucker for the optimum traditional tone.
NOTE: Before you touch anything……. Always start with the height setting first, and then turn the CuNiFe magnets as a fine tuning adjustment once you have the pickup set at the optimum position as described below.
Following this procedure will get you much better results and prevent unnecessary adjustment stresses on a new or vintage CuNiFe Wide Range Humbucker. It becomes very easy to start chasing your tail with these pickups if you’re not organized and methodical in your approach.
When you set the pickup height, start with the NECK pickup first.
1) Set all the CuNiFe screw heights even, with the round of the heads just sticking out from the cover. Then lower the exposed G, B and E string magnets flush with the cover.
2) Hold the strings down at the last fret, and adjust the neck pickup height so it sits 8/64's below the strings on the bass and treble sides. Make it level.
3) IMPORTANT: Play for a few minutes and listen to the sound. Listen for the balance, tone and attack. Do not rush this process. Let your ears grow accustomed to the sound.
DO NOT ADJUST THE CuNiFe MAGNETS YET!
4) Start to lower the pickup, just a half turn at a time, to get the bass and treble balanced.
Do not raise the pickup to adjust for weak balance.
Lower the side that is louder. It makes a difference.
As you go lower, you will start to hear some really great tones come from the pickup.
You'll find a sweet spot where the reduced magnetic string pull allows for greater sustain, yet the sound remains very articulate.
5) Stop lowering the pickup when the articulation starts to fade and bring it back up a half turn or so.
You will also notice some really nice “note bloom” from the wound strings where the sound actually swells a bit after you pluck the note. This is the ideal position for those wanting the traditional WRHB sound.
6) If you now notice that one of the strings is still a tiny bit weak, or loud, this is the time to adjust the CuNiFe magnets to get the final balanced sound.
If two or more strings do not sound balanced, re-adjust the pickup height first before attempting to balance it with the CuNiFe magnet screws.
7) Adjust the bridge pickup until the output is balanced with you neck pickup.
The bridge pickup is not nearly as fussy and will not have quite the same characteristics as the neck pickup so it's important to get the neck pickup sounding great first, and then adjust the bridge pickup to the desired balance and output level.
This procedure will yield great results for those seeking the best traditional tone. Rock it!
Setting up a pair of CuNiFe WRHBs is not that easy, and you will not get the best tone from them if you're unsure of what to do.
Because of the sensitivity of the threaded magnets, combined with finding the optimum overall pickup height settings, it becomes very easy to turn this seemingly simple process into a real mess. Following this procedure will make things go a lot faster and yield better results on the first try.
While these tips apply in large part to many other pickups, some of the information here is unique to the WRHB. Have fun!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How to adjust a CuNiFe Wide Range Humbucker for the optimum traditional tone.
NOTE: Before you touch anything……. Always start with the height setting first, and then turn the CuNiFe magnets as a fine tuning adjustment once you have the pickup set at the optimum position as described below.
Following this procedure will get you much better results and prevent unnecessary adjustment stresses on a new or vintage CuNiFe Wide Range Humbucker. It becomes very easy to start chasing your tail with these pickups if you’re not organized and methodical in your approach.
When you set the pickup height, start with the NECK pickup first.
1) Set all the CuNiFe screw heights even, with the round of the heads just sticking out from the cover. Then lower the exposed G, B and E string magnets flush with the cover.
2) Hold the strings down at the last fret, and adjust the neck pickup height so it sits 8/64's below the strings on the bass and treble sides. Make it level.
3) IMPORTANT: Play for a few minutes and listen to the sound. Listen for the balance, tone and attack. Do not rush this process. Let your ears grow accustomed to the sound.
DO NOT ADJUST THE CuNiFe MAGNETS YET!
4) Start to lower the pickup, just a half turn at a time, to get the bass and treble balanced.
Do not raise the pickup to adjust for weak balance.
Lower the side that is louder. It makes a difference.
As you go lower, you will start to hear some really great tones come from the pickup.
You'll find a sweet spot where the reduced magnetic string pull allows for greater sustain, yet the sound remains very articulate.
5) Stop lowering the pickup when the articulation starts to fade and bring it back up a half turn or so.
You will also notice some really nice “note bloom” from the wound strings where the sound actually swells a bit after you pluck the note. This is the ideal position for those wanting the traditional WRHB sound.
6) If you now notice that one of the strings is still a tiny bit weak, or loud, this is the time to adjust the CuNiFe magnets to get the final balanced sound.
If two or more strings do not sound balanced, re-adjust the pickup height first before attempting to balance it with the CuNiFe magnet screws.
7) Adjust the bridge pickup until the output is balanced with you neck pickup.
The bridge pickup is not nearly as fussy and will not have quite the same characteristics as the neck pickup so it's important to get the neck pickup sounding great first, and then adjust the bridge pickup to the desired balance and output level.
This procedure will yield great results for those seeking the best traditional tone. Rock it!
