Should Pickups Be Close to the Strings? Discover Optimal Pickup Height

Guitar pickups are key to defining your electric guitar’s sound. Figuring out the perfect spot for them is tricky, yes, but it’s also worth it.

Whether guitar pickups should be near the strings depends on the pickup style and the sound you’re after, of course.

You might get some pesky magnetic buzz if the pickups are too snug against the strings. You don’t want this because it messes with your sustain.

On the flip side, if they’re too far away, your sound might not be as powerful, which can affect the sound of your guitar.

Finding that sweet spot is crucial for the best sound.

Understanding Guitar Pickups

The Role of Pickups in Tone Production

Pickups are vital in crafting your electric guitar’s sound. They snatch up the string vibrations and turn them into the electric buzz that amps crank up.

How far or close the pickups are to the strings changes your tone big time.

A pickup close to the strings produces a stronger magnetic vibe. Like this, they crank up the volume and give you a clearer sound.

But watch out – if that pickup is too cozy with the strings, you might end up with a cluttered tone.

Types of Guitar Pickups

There are several types of guitar pickups, each with their own unique characteristics. Some common types include:

• Single-coil pickups: These guys have one coil of wire around a magnet. They’re known for a clear, bright sound, but they can pick up some extra hum and noise;

• Humbucker pickups: These have a duo of wire coils around a magnet. They’re made to nix the buzz single-coils can get while keeping a rich, warm tone;

• P-90 pickups: These are a mix of single coils and humbuckers. They have a beefier coil. This means a warmer sound with more oomph, but they still keep a bit of that single-coil brightness.

Pickup Magnet Types

The magnets in your pickups can really shape your guitar’s sound. Here’s the scoop on the common types:

• Alnico magnets: These blend aluminum, nickel, and cobalt. They’ve got a classic, warm vibe. Alnico comes in various flavors like Alnico 2, 3, 4, and 5, each with its own sound twist. For example, Alnico magnets are often discussed regarding their impact on guitar tone. Different grades offer varying tonal properties (Seymour Duncan);

• Ceramic magnets: These are made from iron oxide mixed with strontium carbonate and have a beefier magnetic field. Pickups with ceramic magnets sound sharper and more in-your-face than Alnico ones. The comparison between ceramic and Alnico magnet pickups in output and tone is well-documented. Ceramic magnets generally provide a brighter and more aggressive sound (Stringjoy).

Anatomy of a Guitar Pickup

A guitar pickup is built from a few key parts that all work in concert to turn your playing into sound:

• Magnet: This is the heart of the pickup, creating a magnetic field that picks up string vibrations;

• Pole pieces: These magnetic cylinders line up under the strings. They focus on the magnetic field;

• Coil: This copper wire is wrapped around the magnet and pole pieces. It takes the string vibrations and turns them into an electric signal;

• Baseplate and Cover: These parts shield the pickup’s innards and have a hand in shaping the sound.

The Importance of Pickup Height

How Height Affects Tone

The spot where your pickup sits about the strings is key to your guitar’s sound.

• A pickup up close to the strings whips up a stronger magnetic field, pumping up the volume and beefing up the sound;

• A pickup set lower has a softer magnetic field, which makes for a gentler, more nuanced tone;

• Some players dig to have their pickups close to the strings for more sustain and sharpness;

But remember, it’s all about balance – you want that sweet tone without any magnetic mayhem.

A pickup close to the strings produces a stronger magnetic vibe.
Like this, they crank up the volume and give you a clearer sound.

Finding the Sweet Spot

Dialing in the ideal pickup height is a bit of a trial-and-error process.

• Tweak your pickup’s distance from the strings and take note of the tone shifts;

• Moving closer might give you a fuller, punchier sound. But know that too close means that your strings could struggle against the pickup’s pull, which kills sustain and clarity;

• Back the pickup off, and you might hit a sweeter, softer tone;

• But if you back off too much, your sound could become feeble and thin.

Finding the perfect setting that gives you the sound you want without affecting playability is a game of give-and-take.

Impact on String Vibration

How close your pickup is to the strings can affect how the strings vibrate.

• If pickups are too close, they might not let the strings move freely. This can change your guitar’s harmonics and natural ring;

• So, watch your pickup height to ensure it does not cramp your strings’ style and affect the sound.

Setting Pickup Height

Standard Height Guidelines

Getting your guitar’s pickup height right is crucial.

• Too close, and you might hit some distortion or other sound troubles. Too far, and your sound might be too soft;

• A solid starting point is to check what the guitar maker suggests. You can usually find this info in the manual or on their website.

Adjusting Pickup Height with a Screwdriver

Ready to tweak your pickup height? It’s pretty straightforward.

• Grab a flathead or Philips screwdriver and look for the screws on your pickup’s sides;

• To nudge the pickup nearer to the strings, turn the screws counterclockwise. To drop it down, go clockwise;

• Go slow with the adjustments, and keep checking the sound. Trust your ears – they’ll tell you when you’ve hit the sweet spot.

Pole Pieces Adjustment

Many pickups come with adjustable pole pieces for each string. Yes, this adds another layer of customization.

• For this finer tuning, use a smaller screwdriver than for pickup height adjustments;

• Like with pickup height, turn these screws clockwise to lower the pole pieces. Turn counterclockwise to raise them;

• By tweaking them, you can even out the volume and refine the tone for each string. This makes your guitar’s sound more consistent. And vibrant, to an extent.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Avoiding String Buzz and Fret Buzz

String and fret buzz are everyday annoyances, but there are ways to fix them.

• Start by looking at your guitar’s action—the space between the strings and the fretboard;

• If the action’s too low, the strings might hit the frets, causing that buzz. Raising the action a bit could help;

• But if the action’s too high, it might make playing harder than it needs to be;

• Also, give your frets a once-over. They could be the culprits behind the buzz if they’re uneven or worn down. Keep an eye out for any frets sticking up or looking odd.

Preventing Intonation Problems

One concern when adjusting pickups is the potential for intonation problems.

Proper intonation makes sure that each string plays in tune across the fretboard.

Don’t underestimate this. It’s important.

Here’s a simple method for checking intonation:

1. Tune your guitar to standard tuning;
   
   
2. Play a harmonic at the 12th fret and compare it to the fretted note at the 12th fret;
   
   
3. If the fretted note is sharper than the harmonic, lengthen the string by moving the saddle back;
   
   
4. If the fretted note is flatter than the harmonic, shorten the string by moving the saddle forward.

Repeat these steps for each string to achieve optimal intonation.

Recognizing Pickups Set Too High or Too Low

It’s true adjusting pickups can sometimes lead to intonation issues. But you can avoid this with a few steps. Here’s how:

• Intonation is all about making sure your guitar stays in tune up and down the neck;

• Double-check your intonation after you’ve made any big changes to your setup. Here’s a quick way to test it out:
  • First, get your guitar in standard tuning.
  • Hit a harmonic at the 12th fret, then play the fretted note at the same fret;
  • If the fretted note sounds higher than the harmonic, you’ll need to make the string longer. You can do that by adjusting the saddle back;
  • If it’s lower, do the opposite and move the saddle forward;

• Go through these steps for each string, and your guitar’s intonation will be just right.

Practical Tips for Guitarists

When to Adjust Your Pickups

Getting the space between your strings and pickups just right for guitarists is key.

• You might get some magnetic drag if your pickups are too close to the strings. This drag messes with your tone. Your sound could lose its punch and sustain if they’re too distant;

• A simple guideline: tweak your pickups if you’re hearing odd changes in how your guitar sounds or if it feels different.

Tools Required for Adjustment

When it’s time to adjust your guitar’s pickups, make sure you have these tools on hand:

• A screwdriver: This will help you adjust the height screws on the pickups. Both a Phillips-head or flathead will suffice;

• A ruler or string action gauge: Perfect for precisely measuring the gap between the strings and the pups;

• A piece of paper or thickness gauge: Use this to test for any magnetic pull on the strings.

Maintaining String-to-Pickup Distance

When you want to nail your desired sound, keeping the right distance between the strings and pickups is crucial.

• To check this, measure from the pickup’s top to the string’s bottom while holding down the string at the last fret;

• A general guideline is about 2mm for the bass side and 1.5mm for the treble side. But play around with these numbers to get the tone that fits your style.

Experimenting with Pickup Height for the Best Sound

Finding that perfect pickup height is all about personal taste and the quirks of your guitar. Here’s how to zero in on that sweet spot:

• Start shifting your pickups up or down a bit, then play your guitar;

• Pay close attention to how each tweak changes your sound. If it’s getting closer to what you want for your music, you’re heading in the right direction;

• There’s no universal perfect setting. It’s all about experimenting until you find the height that brings out the best in your beloved axe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the advantages and disadvantages of setting pickups close to the strings?

Setting pickups close to the strings can give you a louder and more pronounced sound. But, this can lead to problems like the strings pulled by the pickup’s magnetic field, which can mess with sustain and cause other issues. 

Moving the pickups lower will give you a clearer tone but might lose some volume. It’s all about striking a balance that suits your guitar and how you play. It’s a good idea to play around with the pickup height to dial in the tone you’re after. For a deeper dive, check out The Guitar Pickup Handbook.

Could placing my guitar’s pickups too near the strings cause any issues?

Indeed, having your guitar’s pickups too close to the strings can cause a few issues. The magnetic field of the pickups can exert a pull on the strings, a phenomenon known as ‘string pull’. 

This magnetic pull can interfere with the natural vibration of the strings. This could reduce sustain and alter your instrument’s intonation. Too close pickups can also introduce extra noise and cause an overly aggressive tone.

Adjust the pickup height to prevent these problems. Consider both the sound you aim for and the technical aspects of your guitar’s setup.

How do shifting pickups closer to the strings affect my guitar’s sound?

Moving your guitar’s pickups closer to the strings can boost the output and give your tone a more pronounced edge. This might appeal to guitarists who are looking for a more assertive sound. This increased proximity enhances the pickups’ ability to detect the strings’ vibrations. This, in turn, results in a louder sound.

But this adjustment has potential drawbacks. When pickups are too close, they can produce issues such as unwanted noise and interference. A phenomenon known as ‘string pull’ can also occur. It can negatively affect the sustain and natural vibration of the strings.

The key is to strike a balance that brings out the best in your guitar’s sound without inviting negative effects. It’s just a matter of personal preference and playing style. Finding the sweet spot often requires a bit of trial and error.