Does maxing out internal preamp trimpot change signal to noise ratio?

[Football]

Using the Alembic strat sized pickups.  Wondering if the signal to noise ratio potential degrades if trimpot is maxed out.

If so, is there an ideal setting for lowest noise?

[JimmyJ]

I think technically the signal to noise ratio stays the same regardless of output settings - trim pots or master volume.  The question might be how much level does the next piece of gear in the chain want to see?  As in, how hard do you want to drive the input of your amp or pedals?  Are you having noise issues?

Jimmy J

[Football]

Thank you for the reply.  Yes, having noise issues.  Getting what I feel is an excessive amount of upper high frequency hiss compared to traditional single coil pickups.

[StephenR]

Thank you for the reply.  Yes, having noise issues.  Getting what I feel is an excessive amount of upper high frequency hiss compared to traditional single coil pickups.

The activators should be way quieter than traditional single coil pickups. I have an older set in my Strat that I bought around 1986 and have never had high frequency noise issues regardless of gain setting. I put Alembic pickups in the guitar to address noise issues with the 60s-era single coil pickups since I was using the guitar in my home studio and getting unacceptable amounts of hiss and noise while recording. To be honest I preferred the sound of the passive pickups but was happy to get a clean signal. I am pretty sure that if you have older Alembic activators that there is a mod to increase gain slightly and also reduce noise emanating from more modern sources of RFI. You may want to call Mica and ask. Best time to potentially get someone on the phone at Alembic is between 11 and 4 PST.

One thing to check meanwhile is that you have fresh batteries in the guitar, even brand new ones can be wonky right out of the package so at least try a swap and see if it makes any difference. Also how well is your guitar shielded?

[Football]

Thank you for the comments.  Fresh battery, and tests as such.

I don't consider it RF noise at all, just hiss. 

And no 60 cycle hum, or anything like that.

Will call at some point and see if anything I can do on my end.  Typically hard for me to reach someone by email or phone at Alembic.  I don't expect to be a priority though, having purchased a couple sets of old second hand STRE pickups over the years, of course.
 

[rv_bass]

I have a Strat style Alembic pickup on one of my guitars and have no noise issues.  Had it on a previous guitar as well with no issues.  So I think what you are experiencing is atypical.

[adriaan]

Assuming you have the proper preamp installed, perhaps the guitar is still grounded to the bridge and there is no proper shielding? Else, the shielding may not be making full contact where it needs to.

[mica]

Would be great if you can include a picture or two of the installation. Do you have an idea of the age of the system you have installed?