Pickup Height for 57/08 - my findings and questions

[kburks1230]

I've got my PRS Mccarty with unetched 57/08 pickups in it and a .033 tone cap, no treble bleed cap at the moment.


TREBLE/BRIDGE PICKUP - I have found the bridge pickup to be most balanced with the treble side at 4mm and the bass side at 3mm. If I bring the treble side any closer it's getting harsh. The chords really Kerrrraaaannnng like I have the heights set now without being ice picky on the treble side.


BASS/NECK PICKUP - I've got the neck set at 3mm on the treble side and 4mm on the bass side.


Am I too far away from the strings?
Also, I was thinking that most people would always have the treble side higher... Is this normal what I have going on? Is there some anomaly here? This is the second guitar I've had to do this with. I had a similar setup with another PRS and Lollar Imperial regular winds.


Anyone else set their pickups similarly?

 

[Egads]

I need to measure mine--I tend to start at spec, then adjust by ear, not bothering to re-measure. As far as "what's right," it really comes down to your ears and the sound you are after (and the rest of your gear!).

I'll try to remember to measure a couple and get back to you.

 

[Senor Verde]

I've found the 57/08 sounds best to me when set to the suggested starting point on the PRS website. I do adjust the poles differently though. The wound strings follow the radius of the fretboard, with the top of the low E pole flush with the top of the pickup cover. The unwound strings are- Top of E pole flush with the top of the cover, B 1/4 to 1/2 turn below the top of the cover and G about 1/2 a turn up from flush. Then I adjust to get the most even volume across the board and up and down the neck. Sometimes I turn the A pole down a bit. Seems to sound very balanced and clear to me.

 

[Kim]

So if I'm trying to get more high end out of my 57/08 I should adjust the treble side of the pickup higher than spec and do so by ear?
I have a P22 that just sounds too dark to me.
I'll check my poles as well.

 

[Boogie]

I find that it's dependent on the guitar, rig, and desired effect. Some might not like what I've done, others might. It's subjective but for articulation, I think you're in the right zone. The DGT pups are surprisingly strong and fool me into thinking they need to be closer than necessary, to my ears.

 

[Kim]

Pardon my ignorance Boogie but what does "DGT" mean?

 

[Dusty Chalk]

The DGT pickups are the pickups in the DGT guitar.

I wouldn't tilt the pickup more than 1 or 2 mm either way, any more than that, and something else is wrong. Try changing the strings? Make sure you don't have the tone rolled down on either the guitar or the amp? Make sure all cables are the right cables and are correctly seated in their jacks?

 

[Kim]

The DGT pickups are the pickups in the DGT guitar.

I wouldn't tilt the pickup more than 1 or 2 mm either way, any more than that, and something else is wrong. Try changing the strings? Make sure you don't have the tone rolled down on either the guitar or the amp? Make sure all cables are the right cables and are correctly seated in their jacks?

Ahha! David Grissom version. I'm talking about a P22 if it makes any difference. String change hasn't helped(unless you're suggesting a different make or gage) and no the tone knob is maxed . I can get more treble when I blend in the piezo pick up but I'd like for it to be there without. Thanks for your reply.

 

[Dusty Chalk]

I was just suggesting to make sure they were new. But if you want to try brighter strings, by all means, install an Ernie Ball set of the same gauge.

I'm talking about a P22 if it makes any difference.

I think he was just making a comparison.

But yeah, if you're tilting the pickup more than a little, then I would recommend trying something else. Perhaps the bleed cap is dry? (Possible if it hasn't been played in years and years.) You might just not like the pickups.

 

[Kim]

I was just suggesting to make sure they were new. But if you want to try brighter strings, by all means, install an Ernie Ball set of the same gauge.
I think he was just making a comparison.

But yeah, if you're tilting the pickup more than a little, then I would recommend trying something else. Perhaps the bleed cap is dry? (Possible if it hasn't been played in years and years.) You might just not like the pickups.

Yeah, I change them every few weeks. D'addario 10's currently. Btw tell me about the "treble bleed" option. I see you are a relatively prolific poster here so I'm guessing you've seen a lot of discussions on the subject.

 

[Dusty Chalk]

No, I just post too much. I actually know much less than these other jokesters.

The treble bleed is part of the circuit that tries to compensate when you turn the volume down so that it sounds the same or similar -- it's main component is a cap, but it interacts with the rest of the circuit for the resistance. If the cap value is off, it'll mess up the circuit. I actually don't know what that will do to the sound, it was just a thought. I concur with what was suggested in the other thread about contacting the PTC to help you figure this issue out.

PRS guitars are generally warm, so you may just be getting used to the sound.

You could also try playing through a Vox.

 

[Kim]

No, I just post too much. I actually know much less than these other jokesters.

The treble bleed is part of the circuit that tries to compensate when you turn the volume down so that it sounds the same or similar -- it's main component is a cap, but it interacts with the rest of the circuit for the resistance. If the cap value is off, it'll mess up the circuit. I actually don't know what that will do to the sound, it was just a thought. I concur with what was suggested in the other thread about contacting the PTC to help you figure this issue out.

PRS guitars are generally warm, so you may just be getting used to the sound.

You could also try playing through a Vox.

Good stuff Dusty. How does one go about contacting PTC. I don't see a link anywhere. Thanks again, you've been very helpful.

 

[bodia]

Good stuff Dusty. How does one go about contacting PTC. I don't see a link anywhere. Thanks again, you've been very helpful.

Start here! They're genius.at what they do.
http://prsguitars.com/ptc/

 

[swede71]

I think you have set pickups too far from the strings.To me it sounds you base that harsh treble on volume knob and tone knob on 10 with a very clean sound with little compression.Having pickups so far away from string gives very little output if you turn down volume knob to 7 for example.Pickup height measurement is done pressing down string at last fret and then measure distance between pole piece and bottom of the string.I set my DGT pickups at 3/32(about 2.4 mm)inch for bridge and 2/32(about 1.6 mm)inch for neck measuring both Es.After that i set pole screws B-A strings so it follows the 10 inch radius of the bridge.If I play my DGT on 10 with a sound adjusted for my strat it sounds loud and harsh.But if I turn down volume knob to 5-6 it sounds wonderful.If I play my DGT on 10 with a distorted sound it sounds nothing but harsh,it sounds warm and compressed with a great midrange edge to it.If I turn down it cleans up beautifully.Especially the neck pickup I like to turn down,gives me a very robin Trower like sound.

 

[Boogie]

Ahha! David Grissom version. I'm talking about a P22 if it makes any difference. String change hasn't helped(unless you're suggesting a different make or gage) and no the tone knob is maxed . I can get more treble when I blend in the piezo pick up but I'd like for it to be there without. Thanks for your reply.

I only mentioned the DGT pickups as an example, and yes, they are different than the 57/08s. I'm afraid I don't have any good ideas why you can't get the treble you desire out of these pups. It should already be there.