Humbucker pole screws - do you adjust them?
- Thread starter jtcnj
- Start date
Clockworkmike
Ambassador of STACKS in WV SHACKS
Two schools of thought: most just leave them because they sound awesome as is but adjusting does make it more responsive because the closer to the strings they are, the more they react. If you do adjust? You're absolutely right: match the arch radius of the guitar with a les paul. Poles 3 and 4 would be the closest, 2 and 5 slightly lower and then 1 and 6 slightly lower than that. Basically the pickup poles look like a bridge. You can experiment though with adjustments until you find what works best.
gball
Ambassador of Boogie
I don't touch them. After many wasted hours mucking about with them I came to the conclusion that they make no difference at all (and Seth Lover agreed). Other people claim to hear a difference, so opinions obviously vary, but I have never heard any discernible difference unless I raise/lower the height of the entire pickup.
Astral Traveler
Ambassador of Both Time and Space
This is what I "had" to do to my SG to get it to where I wanted it. Lowered pickups and raised pole pieces.
Amp Mad Scientist
Ambassador of Heresy
Sir Bobbin turned and ran, brave brave Sir Bobbin.
When pole screws turned their ugly heads, Sir Bobbin turned his back and fled...
Brave brave Sir Bobbin.
I only dejust the pole screws if a single string sounds weak.
If the strings are out of balance I will do it.
If it doesn't seem imbalanced, I won't usually mess with it.
I do as a habit move the entire PU up as close to the strings on the bridge position.
This is to raise bridge output to maximum.
The neck PU is lowered. This is because the string has much more output towards the middle than at the ends.
I avoid the usual bass frequency overload from the neck PU.
When pole screws turned their ugly heads, Sir Bobbin turned his back and fled...
Brave brave Sir Bobbin.
I only dejust the pole screws if a single string sounds weak.
If the strings are out of balance I will do it.
If it doesn't seem imbalanced, I won't usually mess with it.
I do as a habit move the entire PU up as close to the strings on the bridge position.
This is to raise bridge output to maximum.
The neck PU is lowered. This is because the string has much more output towards the middle than at the ends.
I avoid the usual bass frequency overload from the neck PU.
Cadorman
Ambassador of the Catocaster
I always balance them after dialing in the side to side. Someone more knowledgeable than I said the larger the diameter strings create a stronger signal. Low E ends up a little under the cover, A about flush and D a little above and continue on. Plus it seems to matter to Fender.
I’ve been tempted to mess with them on my G400. It has been my “test mule” for modding guitars.... as in.... I have done nothing to the other three other than setup and play. This thread has me intrigued as to do they or don’t they make a difference. Nice thing is. One can’t hurt anything by trying. And one can always return them to where they started.
You have a farm. I have friends that are/where farm kids. You are correct my friend. You have zero time to be bored.
Cadorman
Ambassador of the Catocaster
I'm trying to think of something I haven't messed with. I guess my mini Marshall, wait, no, I changed all the tubes.
eSGEe
Ferengi Ambassador of Trade
NEVEr a day that doesnt have at least 6 chores required (on top of the stuff we humans require to survive) .....actually that is a relaxing SLOW day round here.........
and that can change in a SECOND if some critter does something stupid .....
ivan H
Ambassador of Tubes & Grooves
This. Use them to achieve an equal output from all strings. Lower the screw pole if the corresponding string seems to be more prominent than all the others, or raise the screw pole if the corresponding string seems to have less output than all the others. Cheers
