Distance from strings to pickup - help

Jim Bates · Post by **Jim Bates** » 18 May 2003 1:19 pm

I am refurbishing a Sho-Bud Pro III with original pickups. What is the recommended distances from the first string to the pickup and the tenth string to the pickup for both necks?

There are probably a lot of personal variations out there, but I need a starting point.

Thanx,
Jim

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 18 May 2003 2:08 pm

Start at the thickness of a quarter. Generally, single coils can be a tad closer than humbuckers. Then listen carefully. If it honks too much might want to back it off a bit. Much closer and you'll pick up some right hand noise -- unless you play like Joe Wright (and nobody DOES

) and your picks are the only part of your right hand hitting the strings.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 18 May 2003 7:40 pm

Jim those are very powerful magnet pole pieces and you dont' want them any closer than 2 quarters...I usually go three quarters..and more.
When the magnet is too close to the string....it actually inhibits the string vibration and you will get a distorted or shrilling sound and less sustain...
Have fun.
Ricky

jim milewski · Post by **jim milewski** » 18 May 2003 7:45 pm

anybody got change for a dollar?

Wayne Cox · Post by **Wayne Cox** » 18 May 2003 8:29 pm

LARRY & RICKY are both knowledgeable, and in this instance, are both right. If it is,
as you said, "original" Sho-Bud pickups. The
pole magnets were charged (magnetized)using an electromagnet,at the time of manufacture.
These type of pole magnets are very strong when new, but gradually become weaker with time. Sooo,if the pickups are fairly new,start with 3 quarters;if the pickups are several years old,start with one quarter for a gauge. I hate to complicate things but that's how it is.
~~W.C.~~[This message was edited by Wayne Cox on 18 May 2003 at 09:29 PM.]

chas smith · Post by **chas smith** » 18 May 2003 10:49 pm

.it actually inhibits the string vibration

also known as Strat-itus. I have Danny Sheilds pickups on my Professional, he recommended a spacing of a nickel, about .090.

Jim Bates · Post by **Jim Bates** » 20 May 2003 9:53 am

Thanks for these suggestions. I will get three quarters and a nickel and try all of them.

Jim

James Quackenbush · Post by **James Quackenbush** » 22 May 2003 11:30 am

Jim,
Try em all and see what sounds the best to you...You're ears will tell you which coin(s) to trust ....Jim

jerry wallace · Post by **jerry wallace** » 22 May 2003 10:49 pm

Jim, I agree with all of the recommended spacings..And its partly a matter of personal preference and your picking attack..Here are the approximates in inches for the quarters..

1- quarter= .068"--1/16"
2- quarters= .136"--1/8"
3- quarters= .204"--3/16"

I have also seen some players using single coils go as much as .250" ,1/4"..

As you move further away you will probably notice less volume/output and also some loss in sustain..I agree with Ricky the closer to the string the stronger the magnetic pull.. This can also cause some problems.

If you happen to be broke and short on quarters , another good way to space them is to use the smooth end of a drill bit such as a 1/8" bit etc..

I have been short on quarters a few times in my life..

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Jerry Wallace-2001 Zum: D-10,8+6, "98 Zum: D-10,8+8,Nashville 1000,Session 500 ,Session 400 head only amp,Tubefex,ProfexII, Artesia, New Mexico
http://www.jerrywallacemusic.com

jerry wallace · Post by **jerry wallace** » 22 May 2003 10:58 pm

Jim, I agree with all of the recommended spacings..And its partly a matter of personal preference and your picking attack..Here are the approximates in inches for the quarters..

1- quarter= .068"--1/16"
2- quarters= .136"--1/8"
3- quarters= .204"--3/16"

I have also seen some players using single coils go as much as .250" ,1/4"..

As you move further away you will probably notice less volume/output and also some loss in sustain..I agree with Ricky the closer to the string the stronger the magnetic pull.. This can also cause some problems.

If you happen to be broke and short on quarters , another good way to space them is to use the smooth end of a drill bit such as a 1/8" bit etc..

I have been short on quarters a few times in my life..

------------------
Jerry Wallace-2001 Zum: D-10,8+6, "98 Zum: D-10,8+8,Nashville 1000,Session 500 ,Session 400 head only amp,Tubefex,ProfexII, Artesia, New Mexico
http://www.jerrywallacemusic.com