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Howard Parker


From:
Maryland
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2016 12:28 pm    
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Love mine on E9. It's hotter than the Geo. L on the C6 side with about 3.0mm spacing between the strings and the bar magnet itself.

I going to lower the pickup a tad. Anyone have a recommended spacing to shoot for, perhaps something in the range of 5mm?

If anyone has a measurement I'd appreciate a "share".

Tnx in advance.

h
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Howard Parker

03\' Carter D-10
70\'s Dekley D-10
52\' Fender Custom
Many guitars by Paul Beard


Last edited by Howard Parker on 19 Apr 2016 12:48 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2016 12:31 pm    
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I prefer MOST pickups in the 5mm range. Smoother tone, and less saturation of the pickup (yes, pickups can saturate on their own, but I don't understand how that works).
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Last edited by Lane Gray on 13 Apr 2016 12:45 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Howard Parker


From:
Maryland
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2016 12:41 pm    
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Thanks, Lane!!

h
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Buell Wisner

 

From:
Georgia, USA
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2016 12:50 pm    
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A dumb question, but is that measurement from the top of the polepiece/blade to the bottom of the string?
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Howard Parker


From:
Maryland
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2016 12:56 pm    
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In my case from the bottom of the string to the top surface of the magnet bar.

h
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Howard Parker

03\' Carter D-10
70\'s Dekley D-10
52\' Fender Custom
Many guitars by Paul Beard
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Howard Parker


From:
Maryland
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2016 1:37 pm    
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Mission accomplished. Don't know if it sounds much different. It is way closer to the C6 output, maybe even a smidge less.

Gonna play it for a while.

h
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Kevin Mincke


From:
Farmington, MN (Twin Cities-South Metro) USA
Post  Posted 13 Apr 2016 2:59 pm    
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What Lane said. I dial them in listening for that sweet spot, not just volume.....
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George Piburn


From:
The Land of Enchantment New Mexico
Post  Posted 17 Apr 2016 8:05 am     Distance
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Hello from George Mr.Boards

We use .170 below the strings to the top of the Alumitone.

Typical single coils use .125

I find the alumitone to be about 30% more powerful than a single coil.

They come with black sponge weather strip that serves as a Spring so to speak, It offers some ability to tweek.

We route our pockets down .550 - the 3.5 Tone Bars are .880 tall ---- for a 1/2 tall bridge

The Greater Distance In my opinion and research of nearly 100 installs, makes the overall response much more smooth.

Hope this adds to the thread.
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Howard Parker


From:
Maryland
Post  Posted 19 Apr 2016 11:10 am    
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Thanks folks,

I rehearsed last night with the spacing at 4.5mm and sounded a bit smoother then desired. The reduced output had me constantly playing with levels. Had to play around with the amp eq to get some bite back.

Raised the pickup to 3.5mm spacing today and !Whoa!. FWIW, I had been playing with spacing closer to 3.0mm.

I'm thinking I like this much better.

I thank you!

h
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chris ivey


From:
california (deceased)
Post  Posted 19 Apr 2016 3:16 pm    
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Howard Parker wrote:
Thanks folks,


Raised the pickup to 3.5mm spacing today and !Whoa!. FWIW, I had been playing with spacing closer to 3.0mm.

wouldn't that be wider (lower) than 3.0?

do alumitones saturate like a normal pickup?
don't they function differently?
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Howard Parker


From:
Maryland
Post  Posted 19 Apr 2016 3:24 pm    
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chris ivey wrote:
Howard Parker wrote:
Thanks folks,


Raised the pickup to 3.5mm spacing today and !Whoa!. FWIW, I had been playing with spacing closer to 3.0mm.

wouldn't that be wider (lower) than 3.0?

do alumitones saturate like a normal pickup?
don't they function differently?


Chris.

I can't answer your last questions, sorry.

When first installed I gapped the pickup at about 3.0mm. I got sort of a west coast tone with a lot of bite. Quite hot.

Thinking I'd mellow things out a bit I increased the gap to about 4.5mm. Too mellow for my taste.

This morning I decreased the gap to 3.5mm and for the moment it suits me just fine, fwiw.
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Jim Sliff


From:
Lawndale California, USA
Post  Posted 24 Apr 2016 6:26 pm    
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I use 2 Alumitone P-90's on my 8-string Fender 400.

Both are set to 4mm (I have stock covers over them and the holes disguised as pole pieces, and I'm subtracting the thickness of the plastic cover - 4mm is top of pickup to strings.

3mm caused some wolf tones; 5mm was a bit thin, 4mm works perfectly (sorta like the 3 Bears, huh?). Winking

That's what works for me.
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No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional
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