dannybuoy Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 (edited) I got my hands on a new Yamaha BB1025X yesterday, and at first wasn't bowled over when I plugged it in. The bridge pickup sounded absolutely monstrous compared to my BB415, but the P pickup sounded flat and lifeless, without the low end thump the P is known for. Both pickups together sounded very scooped and not what I was used to from my 415. Luckily I decided to experiment with the pickup heights - I raised the P by only a very small amount and it was transformed, with bags of thump and growl! I found I got the best blended sound with the bridge pickup lowered slightly so unfortunately I have to compromise between having either a beastly solo bridge pickup or a tamer sound that blends better with the P. Shame there is no equivalent of the Hipshot D-Tuner for pickup heights! This is just a reminder for those of you who rarely fiddle with such things to give it a try, especially if you play a bass and aren't satisfied with the sound! Honestly, if I'd tried it as it was in a shop I would not have bought it, so I was amazed how sensitive these particular pups are to small changes in height. Edited October 1, 2013 by dannybuoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horizontalste Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 (edited) An often overlooked part of a basses setup, couldn't agree more. 3 mm works for me Edited October 1, 2013 by Horizontalste Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted October 1, 2013 Author Share Posted October 1, 2013 I've often seen Precisions where the pup is screwed almost flush to the body on the E and G sides. Needs to be far higher! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 Has to be fairly low on the E for me, as being rather heavy-handed it booms otherwise but I agree, the height of the pickups really makes a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.I. Joe Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 Yup. Perhaps almost as much as the spec of the pickup itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 It can be surprising what a difference a small adjustment makes; 1-2mm can make a massive difference! I usually go for 5mm from the strings at the neck, and 4mm at the bridge (on the recommendation of Sandberg) and it sounds great! Obviously different basses/tastes will require different pickup heights, etc, etc. Glad you got it sounding how you want! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamfist Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1380650531' post='2228517'] Has to be fairly low on the E for me, as being rather heavy-handed it booms otherwise but I agree, the height of the pickups really makes a difference. [/quote] +1. Also, with a muscular technique the E string will hit the pickup if it's too high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinball Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 (edited) Thanks for the reminder. I need to play with EMG's on one of my basses. I love the tone on both but I like to be able to flip between them and at the moment one has more presence than the other. Edited October 2, 2013 by Pinball Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 [quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1380697909' post='2228944'] ... with a muscular technique ... [/quote] That's a phrase that I like ... far more flattering than ham-fisted (which is how people usually describe me)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 (edited) A hell of a difference can be made by lowering the pups too. I know it's counter intuitive but it works. I think possibly the magnetic field "traps" the strings and impedes their vibration. I visually set pup height to around a 4mm gap with the string held at the highest fret and if I feel something's not quite right the only way is down. Edited October 2, 2013 by Ou7shined Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamfist Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1380702143' post='2229017'] That's a phrase that I like ... far more flattering than ham-fisted (which is how people usually describe me)! [/quote] THank you sir. It came to me on the spur of the moment. I have to say I was quite pleased with it myself ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost_Bass Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1380647180' post='2228436'] (...) I found I got the best blended sound with the bridge pickup lowered slightly so unfortunately I have to compromise between having either a beastly solo bridge pickup or a tamer sound that blends better with the P. Shame there is no equivalent of the Hipshot D-Tuner for pickup heights! (...) [/quote] Can't you get the sound you want with the blend turned more to the P pickup without having to lower the bridge pickup? My favourite solo pickup sounds don't work very well when balanced on the center detent, i always push the pot a little bit over the detent to the neck pickup side. I got used to it very quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1380650342' post='2228513'] I've often seen Precisions where the pup is screwed almost flush to the body on the E and G sides. Needs to be far higher! [/quote] Depends on the pickup/player. My 2 ps have utterly different heights to achieve a fairly similar sound. One is flush on the E/G sides, t'other is very far from it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 I often wonder if one of the reasons people rave about changing pickups is because as they install the new ones they actually have to think about the height to set them to... I really need to setup both my basses but I've always found getting the pickup heights right really hard for some reason. I find my ears get fatigued quite quickly and then it all goes to pot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted October 2, 2013 Author Share Posted October 2, 2013 [quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1380710246' post='2229214'] Can't you get the sound you want with the blend turned more to the P pickup without having to lower the bridge pickup? My favourite solo pickup sounds don't work very well when balanced on the center detent, i always push the pot a little bit over the detent to the neck pickup side. I got used to it very quickly. [/quote] This is a BB - it doesn't have a blend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost_Bass Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1380721017' post='2229501'] This is a BB - it doesn't have a blend! [/quote][quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1380721017' post='2229501'] This is a BB - it doesn't have a blend! [/quote] But works the same with VVT config, can't you get a volume setting where you balance both pickups like you want to? How are you currently mixing them? Both full? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 [quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1380703773' post='2229066'] I think possibly the magnetic field "traps" the strings and impedes their vibration.[/quote] They do. Remember that strings are made of (magnetic) metal and pickups contain magnets. The magnetic field pulls the string downwards and restricts the string's upward movement - thereby reducing vibration and sustain. Lowering pickup height gives a reduction in volume but and increase in sustain. For most of us, there is a compromise height where we don't lose too much of either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 (edited) I think it's a square law too. In other words if you half the distance between string and pickup, in a perfect world, output will be 4x greater. Of course in practice there are various losses, but it's definitely not a linear relationship even then. Edited October 2, 2013 by ead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 [quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1380722378' post='2229540'] But works the same with VVT config, can't you get a volume setting where you balance both pickups like you want to? How are you currently mixing them? Both full? [/quote] Most BBs don't have VVT ---they have master volume, master tone and a three way selector switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 [quote name='Conan' timestamp='1380726973' post='2229634'] They do. Remember that strings are made of (magnetic) metal and pickups contain magnets. The magnetic field pulls the string downwards and restricts the string's upward movement - thereby reducing vibration and sustain. Lowering pickup height gives a reduction in volume but and increase in sustain. For most of us, there is a compromise height where we don't lose too much of either! [/quote]doesnt the string have to be very close to restrict movement.? interesting. i wonder also, if a closer pickup to string produces a more focused sound.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 I just tried raising the pickups on my Shine SB26. Maybe it sounds a bit more beefy, but it's not a night and day difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrRatty Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 I too have a bit of a heavy style (with a pick) and I find my E booms really easily if I'm not careful. I have that side of the P pickup down as far as I can but I still have to be very careful on the E. I'm not sure if this is usual, my pickup / bass, me or my strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greggo Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 I've got a Yamaha BB414 and I found whacking the pickups up a) makes it sound better means the pickups have a ramp effect and actually help me play a bit better. Pickups in 414 are really hot, louder than my active bass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted October 11, 2013 Share Posted October 11, 2013 I really want a 1025x. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassmachine2112 Posted October 11, 2013 Share Posted October 11, 2013 A video with sound with the pick ups at different heights would be good Surprised nobodies done this before Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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