Question to Alembic Bass Players only...

[toma_hawk01]

For optimum performance of your pickups, what are the optimum height space, in distances in millimeters (space) between your E string, and pickup surfaces?
 
For example:
My Neck pickup = 2mm distance between the E String  
and Bridge pickup = 3mm distance between E String
 
This also is beautiful for the world to know your signature setting too.  
 
Everybody is a Star!
 
Thanks
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-
 
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on August 24, 2010)

[bigredbass]

Hal, is that 2 or 3mm clearance with the string unfretted, or are you pushing the string down at the last fret?
 
J o e y

[toma_hawk01]

Before pushing down on the fret with either bass type (a fretted or fretless)... there's a clearance or middle space between the neck pickup and the bridge pickup, in relationship to the E string.
 
I am trying to figure out the relative height from each pickups (neck and bridge) people prefer.
 
If it's not asking too much, I would be very interested (as this might be great for others too...) in knowing everyone's signature pickup heights.  
 
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on August 24, 2010)

[bigredbass]

First, there's no 'right' answer:  It's subjective as the tone will change somewhat the closer or further away the pickup faces are from the strings, and whatever tone you like is what's right for you.  There is no 'factory' height from Santa Rosa.
 
Having said that, aren't the strings hitting the pickups when you play that 'funk' style of yours?
No wonder you had to put padding under them, you must have been at the very end of the height screws' length!
This would add some noise from the contact of the strings on the pickup shells, and in general, even Series pickups will sound a bit 'hotter' the closer they get to the strings.
 
Generally, that's very close to the strings.  On my PJ Elan the bridge J pickup is around a 1/4 clearance, the P pickup about twice that.  On the BigRedBass with FatBoys, they are around the fat side of 1/2 clearance.  With the exception of the P pickup, I run them equidistant under the B and the G strings.  These are, incidentally, unfretted measurements.
 
The action is .20 nut height at the G, .25 nut height at the B, .012 relief, and 1/8 string height over the last fret, running a .45 to .128 string set.  Basically straight, a little relief let back in to cure the buzz, and a slightly high nut (an Anthony Jackson suggestion).
 
It's important to think of your setup in numerical values, once you find what's right for you.  Then you can always adjust to those numbers when you change to different strings, the weather changes, it's been in the case for months, etc.
 
From a noise standpoint, I would not run mine that high, and I wouldn't want to scratch up the pickup shells, but that's me.  You certainly will not lose any gain running them lower with the trim pots to compensate, but again, it's all up to you.
 
I like mine to play easily, stay in tune, and be quiet.  If they can't do all three, out they go.  Don't have that problem with Alembics, though . . . .
 
J o e y

[adriaan]

For me, the pickups are as high as they go. I fret the E and G strings at the 24th, then adjust the pickup height and angle to where the vibrating string doesn't choke out on either pickup shell.
 
The AXY/MXY (humcancelling) pickups sound much hotter close up to the string, there may be a different effect with SC (single coil) pickups.
 
There are two pictures of the action over the pickups near the end of the Showcase thread for my Spoiler.
 
(Message edited by adriaan on August 25, 2010)

[bigredbass]

Oh, and . . . Of course you can run the pickups parallel to the strings, tilt them forward or backward, tilt them up on the bass side or the treble side, it's all up to you.
 
In an effort to not introduce too many variables for my feeble mind, I run mine the same distance below the B and the G, and parallel to the strings, once the height has reached the best compromise of height and tone for me.  Then I set the relative gains with the trim pots, and I'm done.  Alembic's practice of the neck pickup being so far forward and the bridge pickup being right at the bridge generally means you're going to have to turn up the back pickup some to get an even blend for most people, but this placement guarantees a big spread in tone between the two.  
 
I prefer to do these tonal/height/gain adjustments with new strings . . . played-in strings often go dead on one or two strings rather than the whole set, and that can skew what you're hearing.
 
There, now I think that's everything . . .
 
J o e y

[terryc]

I just set it so it sounds good..I may get my vernier out and measure but that is far to anoraky for me!

[jacko]

Terry; in my humble opinion, any measurement of an open string is pretty pointless anyway. The height of any string from the pup is going to change depending on a number of factors, not least of which includes where the string is fretted, how bowed the neck is and how you prefer your action. As better folk than me have said, set it where you like it, leave it alone and enjoy playing it.  
 
Graeme

[terryc]

One can get far to critical over stuff like that!
Someone once asked the late Bernard Edwards(Chic) what strings he used, his reply was the ones that came with the bass!

[toma_hawk01]

Personally, I never allow my pickups to hit against the strings. Notice my fretboard is higher... That's my signature  
 
My pickups are as clean as I bought them (no string rash).  
 
 
 
 
Even as low as my neck pickups are, before the solution of using plumbers tape, the screws would become lessened.
 
When I slam the FUNK, I like the stings to bounce freely and echo to another sonic dimension.
 
So from a FUNK perspective, the last thing I want is my pickup casings, to interfere with my FUNK waves -- Man I can't have that...Cat Daddy.
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-
 
 
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on August 25, 2010)

[toma_hawk01]

Jack,
 
There you go again rushing to judgment...  
 
I simply asked the measurement of the space, not any debates of what or why of any significances. I am sure everybody has their taste, and preferences just like we prefer different basses (and people show them when asked (sometimes)...). I was interested in knowing those tastes based upon the measurements people prefer, nothing else.
 
There are no right or wrong way. There might be a preference somebody else might try (which is what sharing is all about).  
 
I believe it would be difficult for me, or anyone to draw any conclusions from just this simple request., for there are variables of multiplicity dimensions, relative categorical areas one could choose to infer. However without starting out with an initial hypothesis, I don't think it's possible to conclude as you did.  
 
I simply shared my measurements freely, as a brother of the club. There are no right and wrong.
 
Peace and Love,
(A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit. 29:23)
 
Hal-
 
 
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on August 25, 2010)

[jacko]

Hal.
In your opening post you ask...
For optimum performance of your pickups, what are the optimum height space, in distances in millimeters (space) between your E string, and pickup surfaces?  
 
I'm simply pointing out that the distance is going to change depending on where you're fretting, how the neck is bowed etc.  
 
Perhaps a more meaningful measurement might be the distance when you're fretting at the 12th fret. I'd be interested to know what you're planning to use all this information for once you've collected it.
 
Graeme

[eligilam]

Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.

[serialnumber12]

the Funk!!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZH2-rTp8Ug&feature=player_embedded#!

[toma_hawk01]

Thank GOD for Larry Graham!
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-