Topic: A Tech Question...
Hey Guys,
Well I've been thinkin' about the adjustable pole pieces on humbuckers.. does anyone happen to find this feature effective?
thanx, mike
- Mike327
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Re: A Tech Question...
Sure its effective. If you adjust the pole pieces closer to the string you can fine tune a humbucker to make your signal stronger on certain strings. Like if you wanted more singing on a G string that your bending a lot or something getting the poles closer can make the notes you want to stand out work better. Most people I know that adjust pole pieces do so for chords so the chords get a more ballenced sound. I personally keep mine flat with either the bobbin or the Metal cover because I like the way it looks and I'm used to getting any tone I want with just that. I think its the more picky guys like your Eric Johnson's or maybe Joe Bonamassa's that would tinker around with adjusting the poles to dial in a spcific tone.
3 2009-12-19 07:01:23 (edited by Mike327 2009-12-19 07:01:47)
- Mike327
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Re: A Tech Question...
^ Yeh I had a fiddle around with it and raised the pole pieces to match the radius however it made it sound to bright and tinny sounding if you will. I think i like them flat.. for a les paul anyway
thanx for the input 
Re: A Tech Question...
use your ears. you may adjust the amp as needed as well 
Re: A Tech Question...
Generally, as a PU or even a single Pole Piece gets closer to the Strings, you get a Hotter Signal.
This is basically a stronger signal with more Volume. However, it also increases the Mids, while decreasing the Highs and Lows. If it were an EQ Curve, you'd start seeing an Arc Shape. Higher in the Middle, Lower on the Ends.
Lowering Pole Pieces/PUs brings the Mids down. And lowers the Signal. This equates to less Output from the lowered PU/PP.
It also allows the Highs and Lows to be more pronounced. So, your EQ Curve will start to look more like a Smile.
Volume isn't really an issue, as your Amplifier is made to adjust Volume. So, it's really just up to the Player to find their preferred EQ Curve.
Be aware that by changing your PU/PP Heights, you also get a different type of "Touch Responsivenes" from yuor Guitar.
Also, you will probably need to re-think every Amp and Pedal setting you use. As the Responsiveness as well as the Volume and EQ have been changed.
One more thing: Most modern PUs now have Magnets (Pole Pieces) that are already made to different Strengths. So, they are kind of "Pre-Adjusted" even though they are generally at the same Heights. So, sometimes it's already been done for you. Notice how modern Strats don't feature the Staggered PPs that the older Strats had? They have just made each Magnet a different Strength.
And if you move the PPs too much, you can possibly break the single copper wire (Winding) from the Magnet moving against it. So, move/adjust them SLOWLY and only do it a LITTLE AT A TIME.
Anyway, lots of sounds hiding inside there. Happy Hunting!
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- NPB_EST.1979
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Re: A Tech Question...
For my humbuckers I go for the
/ \ / \ / \ look to the pole pieces, supposedly that's a recommended way to do it.
- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping.
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping.
7 2010-01-04 11:51:13 (edited by RamiLP 2010-01-04 11:55:50)
Re: A Tech Question...
NPB_EST.1979 wrote:
For my humbuckers I go for the
/ \ / \ / \ look to the pole pieces, supposedly that's a recommended way to do it.
i follow that method as well with the pole pieces on my les paul, but i also add a little curve to the pole pieces so that it follows the fret board radius and bridge radius.
i do that by putting all the pole pieces to a to look flat like this - - - - - - .
and i then start with the high E string pole piece, and backing it out 1/4 turn, and then i do that all by adding a 1/2 turn every time to each pole piece till i reach the D string, and then i start going back down at the low E string, so in the end i will get that / \ / \ / \ . kinda looks something that looks like this:
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/7752 … g_2370.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/7752 … g_2371.jpg
most people recommend to start with the pole pieces flush with the pickup cover, but i dont have a cover on the bridge pup, but you can also go by what you feel sounds good, i started with the close to flush with the bridge pup and once i got the radius i thought that i could use more adjusting, so i raised the pole pieces a bit more by doing another 1/2 turn across the board.
its all a matter of principle...
- NPB_EST.1979
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Re: A Tech Question...
In this fashion per your photos 6 of the poles will be closer to the strings than having all 12 at an almost even distance... thus changing your sound as well.
- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping.
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping.
Re: A Tech Question...
NPB_EST.1979 wrote:
In this fashion per your photos 6 of the poles will be closer to the strings than having all 12 at an almost even distance... thus changing your sound as well.
that is true, but i also like a little bit more mids in my sound, i even have my pickups at an angle, but its not to visible in that shot, but i have the bass side on the bridge pup a little closer to the strings in which it balances it out very well with the highs, and the neck pup is actually lower on the bass side to give a little less bass and keep the highs clear.
its all in testing and adjusting the pole pieces to what you like and think sound best to you, and every pickup is a little different from another and every guitar is a bit different from another. i used to have 57classic pickups in my guitar when i got it, and i had the pole pieces set almost flush with the bobbin, but i still had that little curve to match the fret board/bridge radius.
its all a matter of principle...