The only thing I would add to this video is that if you get the string where they're not warbling but you still hear a ton of pick attack and your fingers sliding on the strings when you're changing chords- they're still too high, back them down a bit more. And trust me, this is definitely an exercise worth worrying over, it really improves your tone when you get the pickups set perfectly.
Yes, this can be very personal, on how one wants the sound out of a Stratocaster... But I found that players with little experience on playing a Stratocaster tend to have them higher because they sound louder and they want to get the most out of their guitar sound. But as one starts to find out that with more experience the truth slaps you in the face and finally you see that having the pickups too high can rob you of sustain and tone... I won't lie, I was one of those guitarist. But after many years of playing Stratocaster guitars you can't help but to zero in on the best possible sound your guitar can deliver... It's heaven now when it comes to my Stratocaster sounds!
The method I've always used for Strats is to do like Lucas did at the outset. Crank the pickups up so you get that nasty warble. Then, while plucking the string and fretting at the 12th fret, start lowering the pickup on the low side until the warble goes away. Then simply adjust the high side a bit higher and you'll have optimum function from your single coil pickups.
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar Actually, "Warble" is a real word- it's defined as a succession of constantly changing notes and uses the example of a bird warbling(singing) softly in the trees. So really, it's the perfect term for this sound imo.
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar Maybe neck swaps for dummies? I have a Player Strat that I’d like to upgrade to either a Pro II neck or Warmoth short-scale. And change out the pickups…probably a loaded pick guard. Thanks for this video. 🤘🏻
Many thanks for this, i will try it on my Strat, for years ive worried about getting the correct measurements...but now know its all about how it sounds and preference on pickup height.
These videos are all over the place in setting pickup heights. I've been playing for 40 years . I've always set all 3 pickups level with their adjustment screws . Use the amp's volume instead of worrying about pickups height measurements. Cheers. !!!
Also proper pickup height is important for the functionality of the knobs. the volume knob might not have any sweep if the pickups aren't balanced to it.
I know there is a ton of stuff on the the guitar on UA-cam already but I like your style.......personally I'm always interested in what and how other musicians practice, I'm interested in guitar repairs and setups.....or just any thing else guitar related.
Pickups too high really suck. Mine were too high, but I had no clue about that stuff, so the guitar sat for ten years because they sounded just muddy, and they were replacement pickups from the stocks! I recently plugged in the guitar, and was ready to sell it, when I got the bright idea to lower them. I just went by ear, and that damned guitar sounds beautiful now. I probably have them lower than normal, but since I come from acoustic, I prefer it, since I’m not used to pick ups on a guitar. I also messed with the pole pieces. They are Seymour Duncan Jazz/JB combo in an Ibanez Artcore. The guitar sounds so good now.
That's awesome. To be honest I like my pickups a bit low too. Seems to create less pull on the strings and I get better tone. Glad to hear you rediscovered your guitar. I bet that's a nice feeling.
I wrote to Fender for the height specs for my Squire Bullet, (pickup style HSS) and I provided the serial number. According to Fender, the bass string height above the magnets should be 7/64-8/64" (2.75mm-3.15mm), and the treble string height should be 5/64-6/64" (1.95mm-2.4mm). Squire Bullet models are made in several countries, and there may be some variances in their tolerances. I suggest that anyone wanting to adjust their string height of ANY Fender to query Fender with their serial number.
I have a 62 Strat with original pickups. I have them set as low as I can without the adjusting screws coming out. The vintage tone is excellent. What I would like to know is whether or not this setting merely lowers the volume or are there other consequences? Thanks. Great video.
Hey Nigel! Congratulations on owning a piece of history. I bet that guitar sounds incredible. I know a lot of the guys who have good tone tend to run their pickups low. I really can’t think of anything detrimental if you lower them too much. That said, your ear is your best guide. Good luck and thanks for taking time to comment and watch the video. Cheers
Would it make sense to play the guitar into a DAW on your computer and measure the levels of the pickups there? I recon this would give you the most precise reading. What do you think?
That would make for a precise measurement, sure, but for those that don't have an interface, or know how to use a DAW, there are decibel meters available for most smart phones....open app, place in front of amp, and adjust the pickups to result in equal decibel measurements.
Great video ! I have Texas Special on my strat. Neck pick up 2.4 mm in bass side and 2 mm in treble? Right? I push string at last fret and measure from bottom of string and pole piece?
Thank you. That’s it yeah. A good starting point. Check fenders site ( I think the link is in the description) they might have a specific recommendation for Texas Specials. Once you set it you can tweak it to taste. Cheers!
If you have pups where you can adjust the height of the pole pieces individually you can accurately tweak them by recording the picking of the open strings with a daw and set them to the same output levels. Loved the blues playing by way 😍
I see you have Traynor amps....I find my Pickups are a bit hot for the Traynor so had to lower them to fit in with the amp. Just got a Traynor YRM head very nice once the pickup were lowered. I guess pickup were not as hot in 1973 kind of makes sense...cheers great post.
Thanks man! Those old Traynor amps are great and can be had for a reasonable price on the used market. Thanks for taking the time to watch the video and for your comments. Cheers!!
Playing and fixing guitars past 40 years !! I've never used pickup height measurement s !!! Adjust single coil pickups level with top of their height adjustment screws, and hum buckers even with top of mount rings !! Don't be shy with turning the amp and guitar control knobs !! Too Funny
Those rules do not apply to the 1983 Dan Smith era stratocaster. The neck profile is c shaped and the fret board is flat. The magnets aren't staggered like your typical stratocaster and the output is medium but not hot. You can adjust all three pickups high and one by one on the 6th and 1st string adjust till the warble goes away. Sounds great without an overdrive with volume dimed. Loved the neck on this because it's like playing with an acoustic guitar with the same vintage strat tone.
Really good work and thanks for the info thanks for the work keep making videos Man 18 people thumbs down damn perfect video I don't get what could they hate about it I don't get it did they think you were wrong with the 2.4 measurement which came from the manufacturer I don't know people are haters man but you welcome it to give it a thumbs down if you want lol
Hi, assuming you have a neck radius of 9.5 or more, doesn't it make more sense to use flat pole pieces! It makes adjusting the pickup height so much easier with less chance of magnetic pull. Cheers, Stephen from Scotland
I do say that the magnets can affect how the string oscillates. By saying that I implied that it does affect sustain and I agree with you that it's a good reason to keep the pickups low. Cheers!
Only in a very indirect way. The gauge and the length of the wire defne the resistance. The number of windings that you put into the given space defines TOGETHER WITH THE CONFIGURATION OF THE MAGNETIC FIELD the output. The more windings, the thinner the wire must be, the longer it has to be, the higher the resistance and the higher the output. But this goes only for otherwise identical conditions. The resistance is just the easiest to measure.
Only in a very indirect way. The gauge and the length of the wire defne the resistance. The number of windings that you put into the given space defines TOGETHER WITH THE CONFIGURATION OF THE MAGNETIC FIELD the output. The more windings, the thinner the wire must be, the longer it has to be, the higher the resistance and the higher the output. But this goes only for otherwise identical conditions. The resistance is just the easiest to measure.
Only in a very indirect way. The gauge and the length of the wire defne the resistance. The number of windings that you put into the given space defines TOGETHER WITH THE CONFIGURATION OF THE MAGNETIC FIELD the output. The more windings, the thinner the wire must be, the longer it has to be, the higher the resistance and the higher the output. But this goes only for otherwise identical conditions. The resistance is just the easiest to measure.
Only in a very indirect way. The gauge and the length of the wire defne the resistance. The number of windings that you put into the given space defines TOGETHER WITH THE CONFIGURATION OF THE MAGNETIC FIELD the output. The more windings, the thinner the wire must be, the longer it has to be, the higher the resistance and the higher the output. But this goes only for otherwise identical conditions. The resistance is just the easiest to measure.
Hi Max. Yes that's what I did. The last fret on the low E and then the high E so you can check the distance on the bass side and treble side. If you check 4 min 18 seconds into the video you should see me do this. Cheers and thanks for taking the time to watch and comment.
Henrik Møller Hi Henrik! Thanks for your kind comment and taking time to watch the video. At this moment I’m on a plane heading to the US for some work and I can’t recall the measurements. What I will do is check it when I get back next week and let you know. Thanks for watching!
I made a mistake. I’ve got a Mustang with pickup covers, which I thought looked bad, and I wanted to remove them. Took off the pickguard and what not, realized the pickups are covered for a reason (they’re hideous), and went to put everything back together. However, after putting all my strings on and such, I realized I forgot to put a spring in, and I don’t even know if I put the ones that I DID put in, on correctly (the springs). Probably not, considering that the pickups are a bit wobbly in the pickguard. What are your thoughts on this? Is it fine, or should I probably take everything back off and put the spring back in? T^T On that note, where do those springs go? Over the screws?
Hey Enthra, you need the springs to properly set the pickup height. When you install the pickup the spring goes between the pickguard and the pickup where the screw threads in. It applies pressure to the pickup so it can be set at different heights. Have a look at the article in the link below. There's a side shot that explains it pretty well. Now I will clarify this is with a Strat but being the Mustang is generally a single coil it should be the same. Good luck!! www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/adjusting-strat-pickup-height/
Thanks for the help! I know what to do now. I'm just dreading removing all of the strings and pickguard and going through all that again, lol. I need to get another set of strings now, too. T^T
Hi Jonathan. I'm sure it probably was. I tend to set my pick ups pretty low. I'll take a measurement and get back to you. Remember though those measurements are just a guide. Cheers!
Lucas Crossley Guitar hi Lucas! I’d really appreciate it! I’m struggling with my Strat, and I really love your tone. I realize that your playing is a large part of it, but I love the way that instrument is reacting to you, so I’d love to have the reference point. Thanks!!
Ok so I had another look and it turns out um around 2.7mm on the bass AND treble side on all three pickups. Again that's while fretting the last fret and checking that way. I have both my.strats set that way. Again though I would suggest using your judgement and ear as to what's best for you. I do find that lower us better to a point. You get better sustain. Just strum a chord and see how long the notes ring out. Hope that helps.
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar AH! ok, great. I really appreciate the info. I loved your tone, and wanted to have that as a reference point. I believe that it is also the right type of distance for my preferences, but my pole pieces are staggered severely, and my board is a compound radius. SO, I may have to change that. Thanks again!
adjust your pups as low as they can go without falling off the screw and turn up your amp- ...now you have something called ...DYNAMICS!!!!! If it is too quiet turn up your amp a little more, if you can't do that then adjust them up a tiny bit until they come in- Lower pups always sound better. Adjust the guitar for .....DYNAMICS adjust the amp for volume..
So turn the amp up until it it starts to break up and if it's not loud enough.... Then turn it up until it breaks up.... what if I want a clean sound at a high volume without breaking up and not using a clean boost pedal....still having plenty of dynamics. So what kind of music do you play that you adjust your pickups like that?
Great info. Thats Why I also prefer: flat Pole pieces (not staggered) for even-height = more even & balanced string volume. Agree with you - Better too Low vs. too high. Mine are slightly angled, but not quite as much as your's.
Hello, my new American standard Stratocaster 2015 with two pivot screws bridge seems to have the bridge no parallel to the body..the shop put 10 high E gauge string and before it was 9. Now the treble side seems to be lower and in fact the sound of e b g is not beautiful( I had also a little G buzz solved with loosing truss-rod and getting higher saddle). IM scared; till now my classic vibe 50 squier Stratocaster sounds and plays better with more sparkle in 2 e 4 positions , and here in Italy costs 400 euro instead of American standard is 1600 euro. The American strat has the fat hot 50 pickup and they are very hot and powerful and the fender specs of pick up height should be change for them( not 2.4 mm bass and 2mm treble..but it needs to definitely lower the height ).this being said , according to you , should I work on the 2 lateral pivot screws to put the bridge parallel and should I raise a bit the bridge screw or should I work with springs opening the back of the guitar? Thanks
Hey there. It’s hard to tell without seeing the guitar. It sounds like your saying that the term is not level and if it’s floating it probably should be level with the body. That is usually done by adjusting the tension on the springs on the term claw. Tightening the springs into the body will pull the back of the term down towards the body. The opposite will happen if you loosen them. It’s tricky to do because it will mess with your tuning too.
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar thanks.. actually the bridge is not totally flat if you look at it frontally..behind not very much gap and I usually don't use trem arm...but yesterday I opened behind guitar to change strings and I realized the there were 4 springs..3 black ones that I suppose are from Fender factory..and one more grey..added maybe from the shop where I bought it this guitar new...maybe they added one more spring to prevent tension due to change strings from 0.9 to 0 10, but now the bridge seems a little be higher on the bass strings..maybe too much extratebsion..maybe I should only remove extra spring...the change from 0.9 to 0.10 isn't too big..I didn't put O.12! Or maybe I should work on the two pivots bridge on the body of guitar or with the springs screw..I don't know..the shop didn't answy me yet...
If the bridge floats you will need to adjust the spring tension if you change the string gauge. A heavier string gauge needs more tension to tune the notes to pitch than a light string gauge so it will change the angle of the bridge. It’s a bit tricky unless you have some experience.
Hello maybe a dumb question, but I was just changing my pickgaurd and after putting the pickups back their all kinda loose and some are pointing towards the bottom and some towards the top. The bobbins are still on the screws so not really sure what’s going on
Hey Joey. Hmmm, not quite sure what you mean. The screw on each side of the pickup can raise or lower just that side. Is it possible you just need to adjust one of the sides?
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar hi thanks for the quick responses. I mean the pickup itself is super loose. I push my finger on one side and the other side will go up if that makes sense? Kinda like a tester totter. The only way it isn’t loose is if I fully tighten them but then they are way too high
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar I’ve never changed a pickgaurd and didn’t know what to expect so after I took the volume knobs off everything just kinda fell out but I don’t think that I saw any springs. Would they go between the pickup and the cover or between the cover and the pickgaurd ?
I have a seymore Duncan Lil’ 59 in the neck and a Dimarzio rail in the bridge and I have a fender 1981 RW in the middle( I’m doing a build and its pickups I had handy) the neck and bridge sound great( I also wired a blend knob on the other tone) it’s the middle it gives it too much quack in 2-3-4 positions. Any ideas?
Yes, the middle almost is too quacky, wanted a little more round sound. I’ve got 250k pots, although got everything set up last night and now I get both lots of different sounds now. The 2nd tone is a blend knob now and its sounds better.
Do they recommend 250k for the humbuckers? I'm no expert on wiring but I was under the impression that humbuckers are typically 500k. Too much quack ......I'm not really sure what to say. Is it also possible that the single coil does not need to be RW? Are you out of phase when you're in position 2 and 4? Sorry buddy I'm not much of a help on these things
Why not use an osciloscope??? That is the only true method of dialing in the correct height. Start low. Raising the P.U. intill the scope shows the largest wave (this is just before the magnets start pulling the strings). Presto! Perfect P.U. height. This goes for humbuckers as well. (I don't care what the builder advertises... A factory set height is never correct, based on recommended settings).
The majority of people don’t have an oscilloscope laying around. So for them, the method I’ve described is just fine. There’s no need to have one to do this.
Learning to do my own set up. Don't trust the local store. Got my guitar back and no adjustments i asked occured. I didn't even bother going back. I already knew what was going happen. Some young guy didn't want to spend the 20mins for me for 75$ plus tax
im a bit confused. 2.4 mm is veryyyyyy small and lets say, if I were to set the middle pick up 2.4 mm on the bass and 2mm on the treble, I feel like I would constantly be hitting the pickup with my pick and it would just get in the way of my playing. Your pick ups look like they're very screwed INTO the body of your Strat, almost flat like , where as on my charvel pro mod guitar , the pick up height is is far greater than 2.4 mm and and it doesn't look like its screwed into the guitar body. perhaps my action feels fine and perhaps I can afford to lower it a tad bit but I don't feel the need to. I am pressing on that last fret to measure it correctly , but if was 2.4 mm on the bass, that is just wayyyy to close to the strings.
Just remember it's from the top of the pole piece, not the pickup cover. The measurements are correct....you can read about it on Fenders' website. I put the link below for you. 6/64" on the bass side and 5/64" on the treble for a vintage spec pickup. That's very close to 2.4 bass and 2 mm treble. fendercustomersupport.microsoftcrmportals.com/en-us/knowledgebase/article/KA-02007
Judging output based on DC resistance is nonsense. Higher the resistance, the more the high-end notes will roll off You can have Hot pups with lower resistance. Magnet strength,type, and physical location respect to strings (and the string type itself) will have much more fundamental signal response
I’ll try. In the meantime here’s a conversion tool you can use. Also, I put a link to fenders website in the description. They have the imperial measurements there.
Here's my only complaint....you made the oddball sounds and then set the pickups and did not display the sounds AFTER you set the height. I'd like to know what your settings actually did. GREAT playing but a tad too fast for me. Roger Fisher NEVER "shred" and had to most tasteful licks ever if you ask me. Same with Spider Davis. Taste is way more important to me then speed. Speed just makes a mass of notes....not needed to sound awesome...just one guy's opinion.
No worries. I did play the guitar after setting the pickups. I even state which pickup I'm on while playing. My playing is not fast at all. Most people think it's rather tasteful but to each their own. I appreciate that you took time to watch and I welcome your feedback. Have a great day.
Maybe the better question is, how many countries haven’t adopted the metric system? I think you’ll find the answer to your question if you google that.
Well, pretty much everyone. It’s the root note for the most common pentatonic scale shape ever in the key of E. Super popular. So unless I’m misunderstanding you, then yeah, pretty much anyone who isn’t playing campfire cowboy chord songs.
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar What YOU do makes no difference to me and a lot of viewers who expect a truthful introduction.... I do NOT want a workaround that YOU used.
Not sure how to set the intonation on your guitar? Here's a video explaining how to do it ua-cam.com/video/rxM5VsvBMeM/v-deo.html
Nice playing! Lower pickups and higher action is the recipe that works for me
Thank you! That is a good combination for sure.
I like simple
Me too
The only thing I would add to this video is that if you get the string where they're not warbling but you still hear a ton of pick attack and your fingers sliding on the strings when you're changing chords- they're still too high, back them down a bit more. And trust me, this is definitely an exercise worth worrying over, it really improves your tone when you get the pickups set perfectly.
You are talking Millimeters! I love you!!!
Why
Yes, this can be very personal, on how one wants the sound out of a Stratocaster...
But I found that players with little experience on playing a Stratocaster tend to have them higher because they sound louder and they want to get the most out of their guitar sound. But as one starts to find out that with more experience the truth slaps you in the face and finally you see that having the pickups too high can rob you of sustain and tone...
I won't lie, I was one of those guitarist. But after many years of playing Stratocaster guitars you can't help but to zero in on the best possible sound your guitar can deliver...
It's heaven now when it comes to my Stratocaster sounds!
Well said. I love the sound of a strat. Of all the guitars it just sounds the best to me. So versatile and such a wide range of sounds. Cheers!
The method I've always used for Strats is to do like Lucas did at the outset. Crank the pickups up so you get that nasty warble. Then, while plucking the string and fretting at the 12th fret, start lowering the pickup on the low side until the warble goes away. Then simply adjust the high side a bit higher and you'll have optimum function from your single coil pickups.
Well said Randy. I especially like the use of the highly technical term "warble" Cheers Mate!!
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar Actually, "Warble" is a real word- it's defined as a succession of constantly changing notes and uses the example of a bird warbling(singing) softly in the trees. So really, it's the perfect term for this sound imo.
I love it! Learning something new everyday. Thanks for sharing!
great vlog and good info had to set my new fender up and took 5 mins cheers
Awesome! Glad it helped.
I have my pickups low already but, after i see your video, I think i will go even lower 😅😂 hugs man, greetings from Chile!
Greetings to you. Let me know how you like it once you try. Cheers!!
Bonjour from France,
Your clean tone is huge.
Hello from 🇨🇦. Thank you for your kind words! Have a great day!!!
Great video, thanks! I find I love tinkering with my strat. It didn't have any setup prior to me buying it so it's been a fun adventure lol
Thanks John. I appreciate the comment. Cheers!
Depends on the strings you use, also. Nickel plated steel wound strings are louder than pure nickel wound strings, which is my preference.
Really like to see more vids like this from your channel.
Thanks. What would you like to see? Maybe I can do something for
you
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar Maybe neck swaps for dummies? I have a Player Strat that I’d like to upgrade to either a Pro II neck or Warmoth short-scale. And change out the pickups…probably a loaded pick guard. Thanks for this video. 🤘🏻
Man that guitar sounds great!
Thank you :)
Like the way you play, like the way you demonstrate
Thank you very much Colin! Cheers.
your playing style needs a scalloped fretboard. best video I found by the the way. thanks a lot
Aw thanks man. Appreciate that. I like scalloped boards actually. Quite nice. Don’t have one at the moment though. You?
If you like more quack, after you set the neck and bridge, you set the middle pickup . Usually lower than the other two will get you max quack.
Many thanks for this, i will try it on my Strat, for years ive worried about getting the correct measurements...but now know its all about how it sounds and preference on pickup height.
These videos are all over the place in setting pickup heights. I've been playing for 40 years . I've always set all 3 pickups level with their adjustment screws . Use the amp's volume instead of worrying about pickups height measurements. Cheers. !!!
The Callahan guitar bridge is nice.
Thank you! They make good stuff.
Also proper pickup height is important for the functionality of the knobs. the volume knob might not have any sweep if the pickups aren't balanced to it.
What a beautiful fat round sound !!!
( No harshness,shrillness)
Thank you 🙏:)
I know there is a ton of stuff on the the guitar on UA-cam already but I like your style.......personally I'm always interested in what and how other musicians practice, I'm interested in guitar repairs and setups.....or just any thing else guitar related.
Great feedback Hanskung. Thanks for sharing. I’m always at a loss for what to make videos about lol. This helps. Cheers
“Pretty soon Andy was setting up all the prison guards guitars at Shawshank.”
In that voice.
Have done this for years,occasionly try something else,but always go back without fail
If it ain't broke ;). Cheers!!
Pickups too high really suck. Mine were too high, but I had no clue about that stuff, so the guitar sat for ten years because they sounded just muddy, and they were replacement pickups from the stocks! I recently plugged in the guitar, and was ready to sell it, when I got the bright idea to lower them. I just went by ear, and that damned guitar sounds beautiful now. I probably have them lower than normal, but since I come from acoustic, I prefer it, since I’m not used to pick ups on a guitar. I also messed with the pole pieces. They are Seymour Duncan Jazz/JB combo in an Ibanez Artcore. The guitar sounds so good now.
That's awesome. To be honest I like my pickups a bit low too. Seems to create less pull on the strings and I get better tone. Glad to hear you rediscovered your guitar. I bet that's a nice feeling.
Good licks. Tasty! (That’s how to get the best sound out of a Strat;)
Thank you!🙏
Thank you for the video I was not sure If too high pickups are my problem and I know for sure ! BTW you play so nice such beautiful feel you have 👏
You are so kind! I appreciate your words;). I’m glad the video helped you. That makes it worthwhile. Cheers!!
Nice playing
Thank you sir!!
very good man you are great thanx Ty
Thank you 😊
Great vid and superb work around at the end but how does it sound adjusted???? Kind of missed that bro! Beautiful poignant riffs though ….xx
I think the Bridge pickup is usually louder because it’s hotter for lead guitar volume jump.
This is very true.
Nice inputs, man! Thanks 🙏🏻
Thanks for watching!
I wrote to Fender for the height specs for my Squire Bullet, (pickup style HSS) and I provided the serial number.
According to Fender, the bass string height above the magnets should be 7/64-8/64" (2.75mm-3.15mm), and the treble string height should be 5/64-6/64" (1.95mm-2.4mm). Squire Bullet models are made in several countries, and there may be some variances in their tolerances.
I suggest that anyone wanting to adjust their string height of ANY Fender to query Fender with their serial number.
Great idea!
I have a 62 Strat with original pickups. I have them set as low as I can without the adjusting screws coming out. The vintage tone is excellent. What I would like to know is whether or not this setting merely lowers the volume or are there other consequences? Thanks. Great video.
Hey Nigel! Congratulations on owning a piece of history. I bet that guitar sounds incredible. I know a lot of the guys who have good tone tend to run their pickups low. I really can’t think of anything detrimental if you lower them too much. That said, your ear is your best guide. Good luck and thanks for taking time
to comment and watch the video. Cheers
I do the same, slam the pickups to the pick guard and up your volume. This gives me so much sustain! Especially on the bends, it can go on and on.
@nhssn thanks for the effect comment, more sustain is exactly what I'm after.❤
When they are getting close to where they should be, an ⅛ of a screw turn will make a difference.
I taught him everything he knows! 🤪
Did you mention you need to set your action height and intonation before adjusting pickup height.
Thank you Very helpful.
Thank you for your nice comment:)
Would it make sense to play the guitar into a DAW on your computer and measure the levels of the pickups there? I recon this would give you the most precise reading. What do you think?
That would make for a precise measurement, sure, but for those that don't have an interface, or know how to use a DAW, there are decibel meters available for most smart phones....open app, place in front of amp, and adjust the pickups to result in equal decibel measurements.
By the way, great tone!
Thank you!!
my low strings where too loud and my treble strings where too quite so have lowered low strings and put height in to treble strings and sounds great
Nice!
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar thanks for advice
Happy to help. Cheers!!
Great Info, Thanks
Glad it was helpful. Cheers!!
Great video ! I have Texas Special on my strat. Neck pick up 2.4 mm in bass side and 2 mm in treble? Right? I push string at last fret and measure from bottom of string and pole piece?
Thank you. That’s it yeah. A good starting point. Check fenders site ( I think the link is in the description) they might have a specific recommendation for Texas Specials. Once you set it you can tweak it to taste. Cheers!
If you have pups where you can adjust the height of the pole pieces individually you can accurately tweak them by recording the picking of the open strings with a daw and set them to the same output levels.
Loved the blues playing by way 😍
Thank you PlaneZero. Much appreciated!!! Cheers.
Very nice video
Thank you Ashish!!
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar welcome sir .
I see you have Traynor amps....I find my Pickups are a bit hot for the Traynor so had to lower them to fit in with the amp. Just got a Traynor YRM head very nice once the pickup were lowered. I guess pickup were not as hot in 1973 kind of makes sense...cheers great post.
Thanks man! Those old Traynor amps are great and can be had for a reasonable price on the used market. Thanks for taking the time to watch the video and for your comments. Cheers!!
Great video! Man, I just wish you would use 64/ths. That's what we use in the USA....Metric is for all of those other places.....
Thanks pal. If you check the link in the description it will take you to Fenders site. I think they have the specs there that aren’t in metric. Cheers
Use metric.....Like the rest of the civilised world
Playing and fixing guitars past 40 years !! I've never used pickup height measurement s !!! Adjust single coil pickups level with top of their height adjustment screws, and hum buckers even with top of mount rings !! Don't be shy with turning the amp and guitar control knobs !! Too Funny
Those rules do not apply to the 1983 Dan Smith era stratocaster. The neck profile is c shaped and the fret board is flat. The magnets aren't staggered like your typical stratocaster and the output is medium but not hot. You can adjust all three pickups high and one by one on the 6th and 1st string adjust till the warble goes away. Sounds great without an overdrive with volume dimed. Loved the neck on this because it's like playing with an acoustic guitar with the same vintage strat tone.
Really good work and thanks for the info thanks for the work keep making videos Man 18 people thumbs down damn perfect video I don't get what could they hate about it I don't get it did they think you were wrong with the 2.4 measurement which came from the manufacturer I don't know people are haters man but you welcome it to give it a thumbs down if you want lol
Thanks for your kind words!! Have a great day!!!
Hi, assuming you have a neck radius of 9.5 or more, doesn't it make more sense to use flat pole pieces! It makes adjusting the pickup height so much easier with less chance of magnetic pull. Cheers, Stephen from Scotland
how come you don't mention it kills sustain? That is more than enough reason to avoid getting close...
I do say that the magnets can affect how the string oscillates. By saying that I implied that it does affect sustain and I agree with you that it's a good reason to keep the pickups low. Cheers!
The Resistance of a pickup has nothing to do with:
- magnetic pull
- output
It has with output
Only in a very indirect way. The gauge and the length of the wire defne the resistance. The number of windings that you put into the given space defines TOGETHER WITH THE CONFIGURATION OF THE MAGNETIC FIELD the output. The more windings, the thinner the wire must be, the longer it has to be, the higher the resistance and the higher the output. But this goes only for otherwise identical conditions. The resistance is just the easiest to measure.
Only in a very indirect way. The gauge and the length of the wire defne the resistance. The number of windings that you put into the given space defines TOGETHER WITH THE CONFIGURATION OF THE MAGNETIC FIELD the output. The more windings, the thinner the wire must be, the longer it has to be, the higher the resistance and the higher the output. But this goes only for otherwise identical conditions. The resistance is just the easiest to measure.
Only in a very indirect way. The gauge and the length of the wire defne the resistance. The number of windings that you put into the given space defines TOGETHER WITH THE CONFIGURATION OF THE MAGNETIC FIELD the output. The more windings, the thinner the wire must be, the longer it has to be, the higher the resistance and the higher the output. But this goes only for otherwise identical conditions. The resistance is just the easiest to measure.
Only in a very indirect way. The gauge and the length of the wire defne the resistance. The number of windings that you put into the given space defines TOGETHER WITH THE CONFIGURATION OF THE MAGNETIC FIELD the output. The more windings, the thinner the wire must be, the longer it has to be, the higher the resistance and the higher the output. But this goes only for otherwise identical conditions. The resistance is just the easiest to measure.
Great video
Thank you Jack! I’m working on more. Cheers!
What would the height be on HMV kinman pick ups please 😊 Colin uk
Amp brilliant what is it !!
Thank you! Its a Two Rock Exo 15 through a 2x12 Two Rock Artist cabinet.
Do you like the saddles all the way up to maximum? Or you have shortened the saddles screwes? Tanks!
I like shorter saddles screws so they don't dig into your hands. That said they need to be long enough to be set at the correct height.
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar so are this ones shorter then normal Strat's. This is my question. Thank you!
Didn’t you have to press the string on the last fret and then measure height?
Hi Max. Yes that's what I did. The last fret on the low E and then the high E so you can check the distance on the bass side and treble side. If you check 4 min 18 seconds into the video you should see me do this. Cheers and thanks for taking the time to watch and comment.
Thanks for clarifying. I said because at 5:10 to 5:20ish when you actually measure, you don’t press the string at the last fret that’s all :)
No worries Max. Have a great day!
Thats how I adjust them. I use my Ears, and play on the very last fret. From my experience, better little too Low vs. too-high.
Hi Lucas. Nice video. Which measurements did you end up with after finetuning? Thanks Henrik
Henrik Møller Hi Henrik! Thanks for your kind comment and taking time to watch the video. At this moment I’m on a plane heading to the US for some work and I can’t recall the measurements. What I will do is check it when I get back next week and let you know. Thanks for watching!
Dear lord thank you. I love America but lord I wish we would convert to metrics.
Did you hear that awful noise when the pickup pole piece was too close to the string? Yuck!
I missed the point at 5:10 when you start to adjust the height without pressing the 12th fret. What measures were you using for the ruler?
2.4 mm on the bass side and 2 mm on the treble side. There's a link in the description to Fenders website for specific specs if you need them.
What do I do with Custom Shop
Eric Clapton latest generation noiseless pick ups
I made a mistake. I’ve got a Mustang with pickup covers, which I thought looked bad, and I wanted to remove them. Took off the pickguard and what not, realized the pickups are covered for a reason (they’re hideous), and went to put everything back together. However, after putting all my strings on and such, I realized I forgot to put a spring in, and I don’t even know if I put the ones that I DID put in, on correctly (the springs). Probably not, considering that the pickups are a bit wobbly in the pickguard. What are your thoughts on this? Is it fine, or should I probably take everything back off and put the spring back in? T^T
On that note, where do those springs go? Over the screws?
Hey Enthra, you need the springs to properly set the pickup height. When you install the pickup the spring goes between the pickguard and the pickup where the screw threads in. It applies pressure to the pickup so it can be set at different heights. Have a look at the article in the link below. There's a side shot that explains it pretty well. Now I will clarify this is with a Strat but being the Mustang is generally a single coil it should be the same. Good luck!!
www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/adjusting-strat-pickup-height/
Thanks for the help! I know what to do now. I'm just dreading removing all of the strings and pickguard and going through all that again, lol. I need to get another set of strings now, too. T^T
@@enthra1728 Happy to help :) Cheers!!!
That looks much farther away than 2.4 by the end. Know where you ended up?
Hi Jonathan. I'm sure it probably was. I tend to set my pick ups pretty low. I'll take a measurement and get back to you. Remember though those measurements are just a guide. Cheers!
Lucas Crossley Guitar hi Lucas! I’d really appreciate it! I’m struggling with my Strat, and I really love your tone. I realize that your playing is a large part of it, but I love the way that instrument is reacting to you, so I’d love to have the reference point. Thanks!!
Thank you Jonathan. That's really kind of you. I'll have a look at the measurement tomorrow and get back to you. Cheers!!
Ok so I had another look and it turns out um around 2.7mm on the bass AND treble side on all three pickups. Again that's while fretting the last fret and checking that way. I have both my.strats set that way. Again though I would suggest using your judgement and ear as to what's best for you. I do find that lower us better to a point. You get better sustain. Just strum a chord and see how long the notes ring out. Hope that helps.
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar AH! ok, great. I really appreciate the info. I loved your tone, and wanted to have that as a reference point. I believe that it is also the right type of distance for my preferences, but my pole pieces are staggered severely, and my board is a compound radius. SO, I may have to change that. Thanks again!
adjust your pups as low as they can go without falling off the screw and turn up your amp- ...now you have something called ...DYNAMICS!!!!! If it is too quiet turn up your amp a little more, if you can't do that then adjust them up a tiny bit until they come in- Lower pups always sound better.
Adjust the guitar for .....DYNAMICS
adjust the amp for volume..
So turn the amp up until it it starts to break up and if it's not loud enough.... Then turn it up until it breaks up.... what if I want a clean sound at a high volume without breaking up and not using a clean boost pedal....still having plenty of dynamics.
So what kind of music do you play that you adjust your pickups like that?
Great info. Thats Why I also prefer: flat Pole pieces (not staggered) for even-height = more even & balanced string volume. Agree with you - Better too Low vs. too high. Mine are slightly angled, but not quite as much as your's.
Hello, my new American standard Stratocaster 2015 with two pivot screws bridge seems to have the bridge no parallel to the body..the shop put 10 high E gauge string and before it was 9. Now the treble side seems to be lower and in fact the sound of e b g is not beautiful( I had also a little G buzz solved with loosing truss-rod and getting higher saddle). IM scared; till now my classic vibe 50 squier Stratocaster sounds and plays better with more sparkle in 2 e 4 positions , and here in Italy costs 400 euro instead of American standard is 1600 euro. The American strat has the fat hot 50 pickup and they are very hot and powerful and the fender specs of pick up height should be change for them( not 2.4 mm bass and 2mm treble..but it needs to definitely lower the height ).this being said , according to you , should I work on the 2 lateral pivot screws to put the bridge parallel and should I raise a bit the bridge screw or should I work with springs opening the back of the guitar? Thanks
Hey there. It’s hard to tell without seeing the guitar. It sounds like your saying that the term is not level and if it’s floating it probably should be level with the body.
That is usually done by adjusting the tension on the springs on the term claw. Tightening the springs into the body will pull the back of the term down towards the body. The opposite will happen if you loosen them.
It’s tricky to do because it will mess with your tuning too.
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar thanks.. actually the bridge is not totally flat if you look at it frontally..behind not very much gap and I usually don't use trem arm...but yesterday I opened behind guitar to change strings and I realized the there were 4 springs..3 black ones that I suppose are from Fender factory..and one more grey..added maybe from the shop where I bought it this guitar new...maybe they added one more spring to prevent tension due to change strings from 0.9 to 0 10, but now the bridge seems a little be higher on the bass strings..maybe too much extratebsion..maybe I should only remove extra spring...the change from 0.9 to 0.10 isn't too big..I didn't put O.12! Or maybe I should work on the two pivots bridge on the body of guitar or with the springs screw..I don't know..the shop didn't answy me yet...
If the bridge floats you will need to adjust the spring tension if you change the string gauge. A heavier string gauge needs more tension to tune the notes to pitch than a light string gauge so it will change the angle of the bridge. It’s a bit tricky unless you have some experience.
in the end you have to find out for yourself which distance is right... nice demonstration though, thumbs up
Thank you and yeah I agree with you. Your ears are your best guide. Cheers!!
Hello maybe a dumb question, but I was just changing my pickgaurd and after putting the pickups back their all kinda loose and some are pointing towards the bottom and some towards the top. The bobbins are still on the screws so not really sure what’s going on
Hey Joey.
Hmmm, not quite sure what you mean. The screw on each side of the pickup can raise or lower just that side.
Is it possible you just need to adjust one of the sides?
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar hi thanks for the quick responses. I mean the pickup itself is super loose. I push my finger on one side and the other side will go up if that makes sense? Kinda like a tester totter. The only way it isn’t loose is if I fully tighten them but then they are way too high
NP. Is this a Strat? There should be springs. Did you remove them or put them in the wrong spot when putting them into the new pick guard?
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar I’ve never changed a pickgaurd and didn’t know what to expect so after I took the volume knobs off everything just kinda fell out but I don’t think that I saw any springs. Would they go between the pickup and the cover or between the cover and the pickgaurd ?
I also have these rubber bobbins that you can thread the pickup screws into wouldn’t they serve the same function as the springs or maybe I need both?
What hight should kinman HMV pick up height be please
You would have to check with Kinman on that.
I have a seymore Duncan Lil’ 59 in the neck and a Dimarzio rail in the bridge and I have a fender 1981 RW in the middle( I’m doing a build and its pickups I had handy) the neck and bridge sound great( I also wired a blend knob on the other tone) it’s the middle it gives it too much quack in 2-3-4 positions. Any ideas?
So if I understand you correctly you have humbuckers in the neck and bridge with a Reverse Wound single coil in the middle?
So if I understand you correctly you have humbuckers in the neck and bridge with a Reverse Wound single coil in the middle?
Yes, the middle almost is too quacky, wanted a little more round sound. I’ve got 250k pots, although got everything set up last night and now I get both lots of different sounds now. The 2nd tone is a blend knob now and its sounds better.
Do they recommend 250k for the humbuckers? I'm no expert on wiring but I was under the impression that humbuckers are typically 500k. Too much quack ......I'm not really sure what to say. Is it also possible that the single coil does not need to be RW? Are you out of phase when you're in position 2 and 4? Sorry buddy I'm not much of a help on these things
I wanted the guitar a little darker for the original music I play, rock, jazz, blues and jam.it sounds right now
Why not use an osciloscope???
That is the only true method of dialing in the correct height.
Start low. Raising the P.U. intill the scope shows the largest wave (this is just before the magnets start pulling the strings).
Presto! Perfect P.U. height.
This goes for humbuckers as well.
(I don't care what the builder advertises... A factory set height is never correct, based on recommended settings).
The majority of people don’t have an oscilloscope laying around. So for them, the method I’ve described is just fine. There’s no need to have one to do this.
And how about the DiMarzio's Humbuckers S like Satch Track and DP188 or Super Distortion S ??? Great video btw.
Thanks Elias. I will do a video on setting up humbuckers as soon as I can. Cheers!
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar Thanx Mr. Crosley, your vids and tips are great! Cheers from Viamao City 🇧🇷
I prefer less output and no artifacts. So I will always go a little lower than whats "normal".
Agree with Count Blue 100%
Learning to do my own set up. Don't trust the local store. Got my guitar back and no adjustments i asked occured. I didn't even bother going back. I already knew what was going happen. Some young guy didn't want to spend the 20mins for me for 75$ plus tax
Sorry to hear that my friend. Set ups aren't too bad to learn to do on your own.
Same, I’ve taken guitars to multiple music shops around the country and all they ever did was change the strings for a “set-up”.
can you make sure on your next video your hand blocks the entire pick up and not just part of it
Lollll
If you couldn't figure out what was happening, you shouldn't even be allowed to use a screwdriver anyway.
im a bit confused. 2.4 mm is veryyyyyy small and lets say, if I were to set the middle pick up 2.4 mm on the bass and 2mm on the treble, I feel like I would constantly be hitting the pickup with my pick and it would just get in the way of my playing. Your pick ups look like they're very screwed INTO the body of your Strat, almost flat like , where as on my charvel pro mod guitar , the pick up height is is far greater than 2.4 mm and and it doesn't look like its screwed into the guitar body. perhaps my action feels fine and perhaps I can afford to lower it a tad bit but I don't feel the need to. I am pressing on that last fret to measure it correctly , but if was 2.4 mm on the bass, that is just wayyyy to close to the strings.
Just remember it's from the top of the pole piece, not the pickup cover. The measurements are correct....you can read about it on Fenders' website. I put the link below for you. 6/64" on the bass side and 5/64" on the treble for a vintage spec pickup. That's very close to 2.4 bass and 2 mm treble.
fendercustomersupport.microsoftcrmportals.com/en-us/knowledgebase/article/KA-02007
Judging output based on DC resistance is nonsense.
Higher the resistance, the more the high-end notes will roll off
You can have Hot pups with lower resistance.
Magnet strength,type, and physical location respect to strings (and the string type itself) will have much more fundamental signal response
Imperial next time. Please.
www.calculator.net/conversion-calculator.html.
I’ll try. In the meantime here’s a conversion tool you can use. Also, I put a link to fenders website in the description. They have the imperial measurements there.
get the manufacturers measurement you can get it all online easy
1:06
why do they always yap so much
Here's my only complaint....you made the oddball sounds and then set the pickups and did not display the sounds AFTER you set the height. I'd like to know what your settings actually did. GREAT playing but a tad too fast for me. Roger Fisher NEVER "shred" and had to most tasteful licks ever if you ask me. Same with Spider Davis. Taste is way more important to me then speed. Speed just makes a mass of notes....not needed to sound awesome...just one guy's opinion.
No worries. I did play the guitar after setting the pickups. I even state which pickup I'm on while playing. My playing is not fast at all. Most people think it's rather tasteful but to each their own. I appreciate that you took time to watch and I welcome your feedback. Have a great day.
4:10
Who the hell measures a American guitar in millimeters??? 😒
Maybe the better question is, how many countries haven’t adopted the metric system? I think you’ll find the answer to your question if you google that.
That's ok if heavy metal tone
Who actually plays the low E at the 12th fret? 🙄
Well, pretty much everyone. It’s the root note for the most common pentatonic scale shape ever in the key of E. Super popular. So unless I’m misunderstanding you, then yeah, pretty much anyone who isn’t playing campfire cowboy chord songs.
If you don't like math why not use a standard measurement - I never measure in mm - as a layout man I use a lot of math but I digress
Get to the point. Too much extraneous "info".
Thanks for the comment. I'll try to get to the point faster next time,
talk to much
8 minutes is NOT a 'really quick' video...
You could increase the play back speed. You could effectively make it 4 min or less that way. I actually do this a lot when watching videos.
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar What YOU do makes no difference to me and a lot of viewers who expect a truthful introduction.... I do NOT want a workaround that YOU used.
Ok. Have a wonderful day!
I actually...kinda like how it sounds set up higher 😂
Same here, kinda sounds ambient
😄
Talk, talk n talk
Playing Guitars does not need math knowledge.
A lot of talking with very little technical info. Wow, set set both sides at 2.4 mm great 30 sec. demo. Blah blah...
I subscribed to your channel. Peace!