Pickup Issue

John Booth · Post by **John Booth** » 24 Dec 2014 5:11 am

Guys (and Gals)
Like many of us I have much less volume on my 3rd string.
I do not have adjustable poles on my Mullen pickup.
Are there any tips or tricks that can solve this issue?
BTW, I did put on a .12 for string 3 already.
Thanks
JB

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 24 Dec 2014 5:16 am

Two solutions spring to mind:
1) put some STANK on 3 when you pick it
2) Tonealigner pickup. Bob makes it in narrow mount.

John Booth · Post by **John Booth** » 24 Dec 2014 5:20 am

Lane,
I do try to "STANK" it a bit but with so much going on it's not always easy to stank it up on a single string consistently.

So you are recommending a pickup with adjustable poles?

How does the Tonealigner compare to other pickups? I see a lot of people dumping them on here.
Thanks,
JB

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 24 Dec 2014 5:23 am

I love mine on the MSA. I bought one for my Zum but haven't put it on yet. You could try sticking a metal shim on top of the pole under 3 to bring the field closer to the string.

John Booth · Post by **John Booth** » 24 Dec 2014 5:24 am

how about a magnetic "dot"?

Larry Bressington · Post by **Larry Bressington** » 24 Dec 2014 7:24 am

Check the finger isent grooved, dirty string...Tap each magnet with a screwdriver to see if there is a volume drop out... I doubt this is a pick up issue.

A George L is a great pick up if you end up needing one.

Bill C. Buntin · Post by **Bill C. Buntin** » 25 Dec 2014 4:20 am

John

I had this problem years ago on two different guitars.

I went to D'addario and later Geo L stainless strings.

The .012 with BL705 and Geo L strings solved it.

I had to learn to run the front end of the pickup a little closer to strings 1, 2 and 3.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 25 Dec 2014 5:38 am

John Booth wrote:how about a magnetic "dot"?

I don't see why not; worth a try.

John Booth · Post by **John Booth** » 25 Dec 2014 5:43 am

Charlie McDonald wrote:
John Booth wrote:how about a magnetic "dot"?
I don't see why not; worth a try.

Actually I tried this and believe it or not it works very well !

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 25 Dec 2014 6:51 am

Cool; I thought it might as I have a piece of steel strap
under my Precision bass pickups that's supposed to strengthen the field; better a little hot dot. Good tip.

Still, I like a humbucker or Bob's Tonealigner.

Tony Leary · Post by **Tony Leary** » 25 Dec 2014 1:45 pm

I found a small magnet the same size as the pole did the trick , should stick if not flip it over, keep a spare handy , I never needed it .

Tony Leary · Post by **Tony Leary** » 25 Dec 2014 1:47 pm

I found a small magnet the same size as the pole did the trick , should stick if not flip it over, keep a spare handy , I never needed it .