P-90 Pickups - Minimum Pole Distance from Strings?

[Zaphod B]

Hey, you pickup gurus -

I have a guitar with two P-90s that are "unmatched" - that is, they are (theoretically) identical and the bridge pickup is not wound hotter to compensate for its position.

The bridge PU output sounds a bit weak compared to the neck pickup so I assume that the solution is to raise the bridge pickup poles. I have cranked each pole up by about 1-1/2 turns and things sound a little better.

What is the appropriate distance of the pole pieces from the strings, generally speaking, and what's the closest I should go to prevent any odd sound artifacts?

 

[Moonrider]

Hey, you pickup gurus -

I have a guitar with two P-90s that are "unmatched" - that is, they are (theoretically) identical and the bridge pickup is not wound hotter to compensate for its position.
. . .
what's the closest I should go to prevent any odd sound artifacts?

Are these dogear style? The Ideal solution would be to put shims under the pickup itself to raise the entire thing to the best height. Pole piece adjustments are usually used to balance the sound between strings.

 

[Milnoque]

Start at about 1/8" and use your ears from there. If they are too close, the magnetic field will affect the vibration of the string. If that happens it sounds awful. just back 'em up a little 'til it goes away. Extra distance can change the tone (less bite more warmth). Most P-90s are very forgiving. I love those pickups.

 

[Zaphod B]

Are these dogear style? The Ideal solution would be to put shims under the pickup itself to raise the entire thing to the best height. Pole piece adjustments are usually used to balance the sound between strings.

No, these are not dogears. If I want to raise the pickups I'll have to remove them and shim them from underneath.

Start at about 1/8" and use your ears from there. If they are too close, the magnetic field will affect the vibration of the string. If that happens it sounds awful. just back 'em up a little 'til it goes away. Extra distance can change the tone (less bite more warmth). Most P-90s are very forgiving. I love those pickups.

Excellent, thanks!

 

[Moonrider]

No, these are not dogears. If I want to raise the pickups I'll have to remove them and shim them from underneath.

Most soapbar style p-90s I've seen and used have springs on the mounting screws to allow for height adjustment. And shimming would be even easier - won't even have to worry about looks just toss some broken popsicle sticks or something in the cavity

 

[Zaphod B]

Most soapbar style p-90s I've seen and used have springs on the mounting screws to allow for height adjustment. And shimming would be even easier - won't even have to worry about looks just toss some broken popsicle sticks or something in the cavity

If I'm not mistaken, soapbars are essentially hard-mounted, maybe with a little foam pad between the pickup base and the guitar body.

I've never seen any negative issues raised with adjusting the pole screws. If that gets me where I need to go then shimming should not be necessary.

 

[Milnoque]

If I'm not mistaken, soapbars are essentially hard-mounted, maybe with a little foam pad between the pickup base and the guitar body.

I've never seen any negative issues raised with adjusting the pole screws. If that gets me where I need to go then shimming should not be necessary.

It looks stupid at some point with the poles sticking out so far.

 

[notCardio]

Alright, dude...

where did you get a 2 p90 axe?

What did I miss?

 

[muttley600]

Had a p90 question myself earlier so they are on my mind at present. In your case the best solution is to shim them as suggested that is not always possible or effective if you don't have a lot of room to play with. The other options are to swap them out for a new set or have one of them rewound.. P90's typically have around 10,000 turns. A set of balanced p90's would have around 10% extra depending on several factors. If you go that route speak to a few people.

As far as how close you can get the pole pieces it depends entirely on the strength of the pickup, how old and the strings you use. The only solution is trial and error.

 

[Zaphod B]

where did you get a 2 p90 axe?

What did I miss?

Well, you haven't been hanging around lately. I'm pretty sure I mentioned this one...

It's a Gibson Custom Shop 1954 reissue, manufactured in 2006 but new stock. It has an ice tea burst finish rather than a gold top. Gloss finish, not the aged VOS finish. Very pretty one-piece (not bookmatched) maple cap with grain curvature that follows the lower bout. The burst is very light and the grain shows over the whole top. One-piece wraparound bridge-tailpiece.

I promise not to hog the body out on this one for a humbucker.

Here's a pic:

 

[Zaphod B]

The other options are to swap them out for a new set or have one of them rewound.. .....As far as how close you can get the pole pieces it depends entirely on the strength of the pickup, how old and the strings you use. The only solution is trial and error.

Right, I've been thinking about buying a pair of matched Lindy Fralins. I'll do some more experimentation.

 

[Milnoque]

That is one gorgeous guitar ZB. That's my favorite configuration for an LP.

+1 on the Fralins. I don't play with much crunch so I prefer the standard ones to the overwound ones. They are crunchy enough. Lindy makes great pickups.

 

[Zaphod B]

Thanks, Milnoque. As usual, my photography is lacking and does not do the guitar justice.

I've heard good things about the Fralins - Light is a big fan, too. I'm thinking I'd go with a slight underwind on the neck (if my stock Gibson is an indication, the neck pickup is plenty strong and tends to get a little wooly when the amp has lots of preamp gain dialed in) and an overwind on the bridge - I do like to push my amps just a little bit with the pickup.

 

[MatchBookNotes]

its still a gorgeous guitar, i've got a p90 wildkat on order myself. they've got such an awesome biting tone.

 

[Milnoque]

Thanks, Milnoque. As usual, my photography is lacking and does not do the guitar justice.

I've heard good things about the Fralins - Light is a big fan, too. I'm thinking I'd go with a slight underwind on the neck (if my stock Gibson is an indication, the neck pickup is plenty strong and tends to get a little wooly when the amp has lots of preamp gain dialed in) and an overwind on the bridge - I do like to push my amps just a little bit with the pickup.

Call 'em up and ask 'em about it. Lindy may even be the guy that answers. Tell 'em what you're after. Trust their judgement. They're really good at what they do. They'll even let you swap for a different version if the one you buy doesn't make you happy. Just don't cut the leads until you know you like what you bought. They're not just great pickups, they're a great company.

 

[Zaphod B]

Call 'em up and ask 'em about it. Lindy may even be the guy that answers. Tell 'em what you're after. Trust their judgement. They're really good at what they do. They'll even let you swap for a different version if the one you buy doesn't make you happy. Just don't cut the leads until you know you like what you bought. They're not just great pickups, they're a great company.

That's good to know, Milnoque - I will call them.

 

[notCardio]

That's an easy answer

The distance between your P-90 pole pieces and your strings should be roughly the distance between DFW and Indianapolis.

 

[notCardio]

Well, you haven't been hanging around lately. I'm pretty sure I mentioned this one...

It's a Gibson Custom Shop 1954 reissue, manufactured in 2006 but new stock. It has an ice tea burst finish rather than a gold top. Gloss finish, not the aged VOS finish. Very pretty one-piece (not bookmatched) maple cap with grain curvature that follows the lower bout. The burst is very light and the grain shows over the whole top. One-piece wraparound bridge-tailpiece.

I promise not to hog the body out on this one for a humbucker.

Here's a pic:

Did I ever mention that I f***ing hate you? I'll bet your wife is hot, too.

(My experience has been, that if you know what's good for you, you won't respond to that last comment. Any way it goes, somehow you lose, depending on who reads it. )

 

[Anfontan]

Call 'em up and ask 'em about it. Lindy may even be the guy that answers. Tell 'em what you're after. Trust their judgement. They're really good at what they do. They'll even let you swap for a different version if the one you buy doesn't make you happy. Just don't cut the leads until you know you like what you bought. They're not just great pickups, they're a great company.

Sounds like a quite a fine company to do business with-I might need to check them out on my next pickup quest.

Oh yeah-Zaphod-does that bridge/tailpiece give you a pretty accurate intonation?

 

[JCH]

Cool guitar. Congratulations Another option you have is stripping about 1000 wraps from the neck pickup. The end the coil will be soldered to a small eyelet. If you warm the pickup the wax potting will be softer, and make it easier to unwind.