Londonbus
Joined: Feb 10, 2014
Posts: 22
Richland, WA
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Posted on Jul 18 2017 04:34 AM
Hoping to get some suggestions. Does anybody know if there is an "ideal" pickup height for Seymour Duncan Antiquity I Jazzmaster pickups? I know I can experiment and see what I like best obviously, but I was wondering if anybody either knew what SD suggested or had what they found was a "perfect" string height for these. Measured in the traditional way... top of polepiece to bottom of string when pressed down at the last fret.
For what it's worth, they are in a Fender Jazzmaster, stock pot and cap values, and I play flatwound strings, alternating between 10s (ideally) and 11s sets depending on what the local shop has in stock. I play Ventures style surf music primarily.
I'd love to know that spec by users who really feel like they have their Jazzmaster "dialed in". Or, like I said, if there is an actual suggested manufacturer recommended height.
THANKS IN ADVANCE!
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Badger
Joined: Nov 16, 2013
Posts: 4536
Wisconsin
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Posted on Jul 18 2017 08:34 AM
Londonbus wrote:
...but I was wondering if anybody either knew what SD suggested or had what they found was a "perfect" string height for these. Measured in the traditional way... top of polepiece to bottom of string when pressed down at the last fret.
SD makes fine pickups but they are typically bereft of guidance other than "50's" tone or "60's" tone. Cannot comment specifically to the Antiquity series other than the II's are Alnico 5 magnets (more like the Pure Vintage now from Fender) and the plain Antiquity are Alnico 2 (according to SD). With the original Antiquity, in your experimenting, you may find that you have to raise them a bit (lower output), whereas someone with Alnico 5 pickups may have them lower than one would think. One caution would be to not dismiss the influence that the neck pickup has to the overeall tone when both are on; sometimes it's lowering the neck pickup that will give you back some treble snap & clear up the mud.
I probably still go about this the wrong way but, my $.02, you really need to just sit down with a rule, something to write with, and make notes as you play. You would be surprised how much effect a 1/4 turn of the screwdriver has. The Antiquity "I" is supposed to be more mid-rangy and, if you're after a Ventures sound, that's going to be up to your ear. Hopefully aome Ph.D's in Jazzmaster will drop by.
— Wes
SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel
DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices.
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crumble
Joined: Sep 09, 2008
Posts: 3158
Guildford England
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Posted on Jul 18 2017 09:08 AM
- drop the pickups low.
- Rest the guitar face up on a table with soft padding underneath.
- place a cushion under the end of the neck.
- attach an electronic tuner and tune it up.
- now raise a pickup while watching the tuner at the same time.
The effect of the magnets getting closer should start to pull the guitar out of tune. This the starting point of tolerance. Either stay put for sustain or go higher for stronger sound.
Last edited: Jul 18, 2017 09:10:01
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montereyjack66
Joined: Jul 23, 2014
Posts: 645
LA -ish
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Posted on Jul 18 2017 09:59 AM
Trust your ears Luke! Exact measurements are only so helpful because of all of the variables such as string type, wood resonance, etc. Sit down with a clean sounding amp and no effects on. Get out the screwdriver, and adjust tothe best, clearest and strongest sound you can achieve for the individual pups and in combination. To some degree this is a matter of personal taste, but usually this will end up at the sweet spot where it is crystal clear, lush, and full sounding when you hit the strings mild to moderate but will start to growl when you go gorilla on it. Then crank the amp up, maybe throw in the effects! Repeat and make minor adjustments to taste. Usually, when you start having a pick in your hand more than the screw driver, and you have an idiotic grin on your face, then it's just about right. Good luck.
— mj
bent playing for benter results
Do not attempt to adjust your TV set.
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Last edited: Jul 18, 2017 10:02:38
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