How To Adjust The Height of Your Guitar Pickups
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- Опубліковано 18 лис 2020
- In this episode of "Gibson's Guide to Guitar Setup and Maintenance," Gibson Master Luthier Jim DeCola demonstrates the correct way to adjust the height of your pickups. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional, Jim will give you pro tips on pickup height adjustment that can lead to a noticeable difference in the sound of your guitar. Having your pickups at the correct height will optimize the output and tone of your guitar while providing a more expressive playing experience.
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You are so good at doing these videos. One of my favorite public speakers I’ve heard. Gibson really is hands-down, the best guitars in the world.
Sir Jim DeCola, you're the man! Excellent video.
Jim's videos are exceptionally clear and accurate. The tips are little treasures as well. Lots of great experience shared with us. Thanks Jim.
Jim’s videos are the best. Brief discussion and strait to the point with very useful tips.
I did this to my Goth fiddle. By adjusting the after market pickups I installed it made them really come to life. Adjusting the pole pieces to the radius of the neck, and setting the clearance as suggested. Thank you. Love your videos.
Every electric player needs this education. Thanks Jim.
I remember way back when I was 12-13-14 years old and I wanted to adjust my guitar properly right and there wasn't these kind of videos and now there are gold thank you so much for taking the time and effort Gibson! Btw I'm 26 right now.
Soooo soooo amazing! A master luthier from Gibson giving tips no and on. And all about things that you just notice after years of playing! Amazing. So gratefull.
This is exactly what I've been looking for! Thank you! The coin trick is perfect!
Loving this series. Great instructor and great tips. Thank you! 👍🏻
This series is fantastic! Thanks for the upload!
Awesome tool tip; Jim DeCola, keep being awesome!
I have been looking for a tool for pickup height measuring, and it was in my pockets all along, thank you for doing the video, very very well done!!!
Great advice! For a beginner and in need of help for pickup height adjustment, this video is the best! Thanks!
I tried these adjustments and it made a huge difference. This is probably (IMO) one of the best videos on pickup height
Thanks
for me it is definitely. the tricks to use coins, or the info that one full rotation of the adjustment screw is a bit more than 1/64 was perfect. thanks
Not for me.
Thanks for doing these vids. It may seem really simple to some people but I am sure others have found it quite informative.
Cheers Jim & Gibson. I'm in the balance the output camp.
This was great and answered so many questions! Thank you!
Been looking for a good pickup height video for my les paul traditional and you guys nailed it. Thank you. Wife got me a stew mac string action gauge and I set mine up to this video specs and instantly amazing difference. For some reason my bridge was at like 8/64 way too low. Awesome stuff guys thanks again.
These videos are vital if you play a Guitar. As a fan of Gibson, ive always wanted to know that my guitar was set up correctly because when it is, the sound is phenomenal.
Just saw this video for the 1st time. EXCELLENT VIDEO! Easy to understand & great tips. Thanks. Keep up the great work.✌🎸
This is great! Best explanation of the what’s and how’s on this subject that I’ve seen. Thx sir!
Just wanted to thank Jim for emphasizing different styles and methods of thought on this. I want as balanced a response as I can get from my pickups with minimal volume differences, so I view the pickups as “bass” and “treble” tone settings. Alot of other players need that instant switch from rhythm to lead sounds. Find what works best for you!
Thanks Jim! That was a totally rad video.
I payed close attention and would like to add.
Some players like to use the lower tunings like drop C and stuff.
After the initial set-up like you said, additional adjustments may be required.
Lower tuning means more string movement. Buzzing may occur. This is more likely on the neck pickup.
Lower the pickup as required incrementally until you reach the sweet spot with max input and zero buzz.
Thanks so much for such a great tutorial and the great advice.
i was just looking how to adjust pickup heights in my new LP today... crazy timing haha
Thank you Gibson. Great things you are doing for the Gibson Guitar player. And the Quality in your Guitar Manufacturing has become so amazing from the craftsmanship to the way your doing properly wired 50s / 60s model Les Paul's. I really like the new Graph Tech nut you guy choose keep in tune great. I'm about to purchase a new Les Paul Standard. Not sure if I want the 50s or 60s yet. I'm pertty excited 😁
Thank you very much, Jim... Best, most practical advice ever!
Thanks for the video! Great great tips from a proffesional!
Thank you for mentioning the relationship of pole piece height to pickup height.
Thank you Gibson these videos!! they are extremely useful!! Is it possible to make one video for pickup's pole pieces regulation?
Thanks!!!
I love these instruction videos god bless Gibson🔥
Never knew about that coin thickness trick--this was great!
Easily one of the most useful videos I've ever seen.
I appreciate these videos so much - thank you 🙏!!
Great tips! I’m off to operate on my 335! Have to try that low end dynamic adjustment!
Fantastic content! Thanks.
Great video excellently presented!!!...🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
This is excellent, great details, love the coin trick too
The tip about using the coins for a height gauge alone was worth watching the video! So many great tips... Thank you Gibson!!!
Thanks for watching Gary!
This is gold!!
Excellent Video. Solid advice in this video.
I wish this videos also covered adjusting the height on all the other types of pickups that Gibson uses. And whether the same specs are a good starting point for those. Overall, though, this series is great!
Love these videos.
Fantastic !! Thank You !!
4:45 Pickup Heights:
Lead Pickup: High E String 3/64, Low e String 3/64
Rhythm Pickup: High E string 4/64, Low e String 4/64
7:03 Pickup Heights:
Lead Pickup: High E String 3/64, Low e String 4/64
Rhythm Pickup: High E String 5/64, Low e Sting 4/64
thanks !!!
wow thanks
Low E 5/64 not High E bro
Love all the info Thanks...
Jim, you're the n°1! Perfect set-up with incredible difference, using your paramaters. Greetings from Italy!
Ciao sono italiano anche io, potresti gentilmente dirmi che misure ha detto? purtroppo non riesco a capirlo e i sottotitoli non mi funzionano. Grazie
Really helpful Cheers!
Thanks for the tips. Luthier I've been using for years moved and I'm left to my on device's!
Pretty close to how I have mine. Nice tip with the coins too!
Man.... you are a GODSEND.
Thank you Mr. DeCola for this video. I always felt like somehow I was dumb for not simply "knowing" proper pickup height and adjustment. This is an excellent video. I appreciate you making it! P.S. I have a new Gibson Les Paul 60's Standard in Bourbon Burst :) So this is very timely!
Thanks for the very insightful videos Learned alot from watching them!
Glad you enjoyed them! More episodes coming soon!
4:30 I’m pretty sure he meant 3/64... 3/16 would equal 12/64. This series is my go to for keeping my SG’s rocking!
Agreed! I don't think you could even get the pickups to be 12/64's away from the strings on most guitars....especially Custom Shop LP's. Strange thing though...many years ago the spec was 5/64's on the bass side and 4'64's on the treble side for the bridge pickup. I think the specs have changed recently with the advent of lower output pickups. If you set Custombuckers too far from the strings, they sound like crap. Set them correctly and they're marvelous. If you check out a newer (2019 and later) R9 for example, the pickups are usually even closer than 3/64's.
high can you get great sustain from the much lighter SG vs the much heavier les paul standard ? Thanks I'm thinking of switching to an SG
Thank god for the metric system - From Ireland 😂 millimeters save the brain from this confusion
Great video. I learned a lot. Thanks
This is awesome. Thank you
Like the sleeve on screwdriver thing!
Thanks, this video really helped!
I would like to propose an idea to all guitar manufacturers and distributors....set up the guitar prior to selling it to the consumer. The sales pitch when buying new guitars is the distributor will provide a free setup if requested by the customer. Why should it be requested?...simply do the setup before it reaches the customer. That's like selling a car with flat tires, here is your brand new car, it comes with free air fill up also! but you have to ask for it first. I love my gibsons and other guitars and asked my local shop to set it up my gibbys once i bought them, but it was going to take them 2 weeks for them to do it. So I appreciate this video for people wanting to learn is the best way. Just my pet peeve, but love the products and content, thanks Gibson, my life is so much better with you in it!
I couldn't agree more! It's a pain when you go in a guitar store to buy a new guitar because most aren't set up and intonation isn't even close so they sound like crap. It's hard to get a good feel on what you are playing like that!
@@brooksphillips2234 thanks brooksphillips!....my first real guitar was an ibanez 7 string with a floyd rose and I freely admit, I knew nothing of string height, pickup height or proper intonation. Come to think of it, that one probably never was properly set up, but I had fun jamming on it anyway....lol
The simple reason is they can't guarantee how the transportation from factory to shops (globally) will affect the guitar. Yeah pickup height won't change, but other things are likely to need adjusting after the travel. Lots of players also like to adjust the pickup height too, or swap them out.
Great! Thank you!
Wow that coin trick is masterful!
I tried the dime high E bridge , penny low E bridge, penny high E neck, nickel low E neck also on an HSS Strat with a stacked single on the neck and I’m very pleased. I did not adjusted the individual pole pieces on the bridge humbucker.
I love them Burstbucker Pro Pickups. I use them in all my Les Paul Guitars.
I like them even better than the DiMarzios in my Vivian Campbell Signature #26, so I installed Burstbucker Pros there too.
Very powerful, but not too hot - Exact the right ones for my 80ies Rock thing.
Thank you Gibson! :-)
Excellent video !
Nice coin trick for measuring man.
Awesome video.
I thought my guitar sounded good. but just something wasn't quite right.
Everyone of your videos corrected something.
This was the final piece of the puzzle.
Thanks for not charging me extra for the tutorial.
I subscribed just for the COIN tip !!! awesome
Great video. Please make one about p90 pickups
Great tips from Jim Decola! It does make a difference.
Love you 😍 Gibson
I set mine 4-5 mm at the bridge, sounds amazing with Marshally high gain.
Great post. I learned allot. At may age, the lower the distortion the better. It seems to me the higher the output the higher the distortion. Any trace of a sawtooth wave rags my ears.
Excelent video!! Very nice iniciative. Could you provide me the link of action setup? I cannot find. Thank you!
Thx. My R8 finally sounds good with your recommendation for Historic pickup heights. Gibson should really make these specs available online would be easier for everyone.
Nice tips Jim. When it comes to listening/adjusting, I like to set the pickups up until I hear waves coming out of harmonics/overtones from the amp. To me, when it puts out those natural sinusoidal tones, I have reached my sweet spot !
Please elaborate on this for me. I've never heard anyone talk about overtones and harmonic waves. If it's anything similar to playing an electric unplugged and finding that one note that just "sings" (reverberates), I'm already in love with your method.
@@DanielSmith-ce5if Yes Daniel, it’s a bit like you describe. Too close to the strings might sound harsh and the magnetic attraction of the pickups might preclude the strings from vibrating to their full extent. Too far might sound weak and dull. Trust your ears: strum while you set up the pickup height and when you find the right spot, you will hear the full richness of the “singing” notes.
Who would have thought that the US mint consulted Gibson before striking their coins!!
Naturally.. This vid is so instructive . Thank You
The US Mint should also create a Holographic Commemorative Coin of The Late Great Les Paul Playing His Les Paul, along with a Holographic Gibson Les Paul Digital 6-X Pro Guitar on the other side!
For those from more advanced societies:
😉🤘
3/64 = 1,19 mm
4/64 = 1,59 mm
5/64 = 1,98 mm
Thanks for a great vid!
"advanced societies"
That's an odd way to spell "third world countries".
@@nckhed well yes but because literally 3 countries use imperial. Two of which are Myanmar and Liberia
@@EdgarHernandez-xj5mx hahah that guy "Nick" is just a troll and he knows it. I don't think he is THAT dumb to not know many "1rst world countries" such as Germany, Italy, Monaco, or Finland use the metric system. On the other hand, I didn't know Liberia used imperial system, I'm going to check that out, thanks
Ughhh.... It's hard to decide which are worse -- metric snobs or grammar Nazis. I'm pretty sure metric snobs were formula fed as infants.
Honestly, if you are able to get insulted by this post - who gives a shit. Just get a life.
You gave the specs in 16th of inches at (4:27) and in 64th inches at (4:49). Which is correct? I don't mean to be picky just want to know which it is. Thank you very much for this video! 🙂
Very informative! Any chance of the building/making process series for 'Gibson Acoustic' coming soon? Looking forward to it, cheers.
Coming in 2021! Stay tuned!
Great job Jim. How about some more videos on wine or whisky sampling?
Thank you!
Excellent video, very useful!! The suggested pickup height is the same for p90s? Thanks!
Thanks for these videos. Where’s the neck & action adjustment video you mentioned? I’ve been looking everywhere for Gibson’s recommended action & neck relief values for ages.
Glad I'm not the only one who is unable to find those, I'm wondering if maybe they are posting them out of sequence to what they were filmed
Wow, what a great video on that topic, thank you so much!
Bye the way, i m looking exactly for these special knobs: whrer can i buy them?
Great idea producing guitar maintenance videos - nice work! Just an idea - flash the metric equivalents on the screen when mentioning imperial measurements, the rest of the world will thank you :D
This is fantastic Jim!. However, maybe I'm missing some thing, at 4.32 you say the pickup clearance is 3/16 of an inch on the lead pick up. Then at 11:38 you say it's 3/64 of an inch. Could you please clarify the actual clearance for both the bridge and rhythm pick ups?
Its beautifull😍
thanks!!! capisimo
Step one check how borked the neck set angle is to see how much foam you’ll need to set the pickup straight.
Seriously tho, it’s nice to see a guide that actually takes personal preference into account. I’d also say if you’re playing at a high volume set your pickups at that volume. When setting up at home your neck pickup will always seem louder due to its boomier characteristic, however once your playing at gig volume in a band a lot of that sound gets lost in the mix and it’ll sound way quieter. Similar to what happens with a Big Muff. Sounds thick and massive in the studio and just disappears/loses its punch in a live setting.
I like the coin scenario. Easier to use than the machinist rule - especially for us older player with diminishing eye sight!!!🎸🎸🔍🔎👀
My Epiphone ES-335 Pro is getting a string change right now (by me). Using the coins as a measurement device...I see that the pickups are WAY below what they should or could be.
I'll use my ears... but wow, I had no idea how low mine were set.
Great vid, just bought a new 2021 es 335 Sixtys cherry and in the process of doing my pick up height adjustments.
Just want to confirm if the procedure of adjusting pick ups where heights are slightly different from treble to bass side and from neck to bridge also applies to these new calibrated t type pickups that are in the current model es335 or is this height balancing only required for older style non calibrated pick ups like PAF's or other vintage types.
Also if height balancing is required would people then generally first set the pick up treble and bass side's level, so as to allow for the pole heights to be matched to fret board radius first, and then do the height balancing adjustments after that.
Thanks for any advice, Cheers Mic.
What would you recommend the pickup height be for a bat-winged SG at the bridge?
I just brought the neck pickup down until it stopped making the weird harmonic notes. That way I retain as much volume and attack as possible without the squeal noise. The pole is about 3/32 from the string. 1982 Gibson Les Paul fretless wonder.
brilliant! 9/10. it needs metric measurements also :)
Hey Gibson, any way we can get a USA-made Epiphone Crestwood Custom with a nitro finish? If not how about a USA-made Embassy bass or a semi-hollow EB bass to go along with the Thunderbird and SG bass? I’d take any of those in Inverness Green :)
The action adjustment mentioned in the video (02:06) , will it be a next one video?
Ha ha.... just been experimenting with my pickup heights today. Spooky timing!
We're all fiddling with our pickups, there's nothing else to do during the plandemic.
same here on the timing LOL
Please show us "Dog-ear" P90s on hollow and semi-hollow Guitars and how you would set them up. Thanks.