P-J Pickup Alignment

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Author Message frank_orlando Member Username: frank_orlando Post Number: 69 Registered: 8-2002 Posted on Saturday, February 04, 2006 - 12:02 pm:    Hello, I am installing a new Alembic P-J setup in a new Fender Mustang re-issue. The Alembic pickups don't have visible pole pieces. When I have the body routed for the pickups, am I safe centering the pickups under the strings? I am concerned that the Mustang string spacing at the pickup locations is narrower then a full scale P or J bass. Thanks, Frank (still giging with my Essence...) www.mediacrime.com davehouck Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 3141 Registered: 5-2002 Posted on Saturday, February 04, 2006 - 3:44 pm:    Hi Frank; the pickup is a single piece rather than individual pieces. So the Mustang string spacing won't be a problem. mica Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3061 Registered: 6-2000 Posted on Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 4:00 pm:    The spacing won't be a problem except on the P pickup if there is one string that is caught by both sides of the split pickup. If one string sounds louder after you install, we can exchange the pickup for one that we cast just for your bass if needed. Or, you can send the pickup to us and we will mark with tape the extent of each coil so this can be considered when routing. davehouck Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 3170 Registered: 5-2002 Posted on Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 4:12 pm:    Thanks Mica!! frank_orlando Member Username: frank_orlando Post Number: 70 Registered: 8-2002 Posted on Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 4:56 pm:    Thanks Mica and Dave, I just checked it out by sliding the covers from some old Fender P-bass pickups under the strings. When I layed out the proposed new pickguard I placed the original pickguard into position with some masking tape on it to draw on. I centered each split pickup cover under the two strings that they would serve and traced them on the original masked pickguard with a fine tip marker. The resulting layout does have the A and D string passing over their intended pickup but also about 1/8" from the end of the "un-intended" one. I provided a photo to show the layout. Do you think this 1/8" edge intrusion will create a volume issue? Thanks again...Frank (Message edited by davehouck on February 07, 2006)