| Author | Message | ||
| honkylips
New Username: honkylips Post Number: 10 Registered: 8-2005 |
I finally broke down and treated myself to a Tribute. UPS dropped it off last Friday. I am, of course, in love with the guitar. Question I have is in regards to pickup height on the two humbuckers. Is it normal that the lowest setting for both humbuckers is still very high? I have lowered them as low as I dare with the hex wrench, but still notice some slight markings on the middle position humbucker from the low E string. If this is normal, I can live with it, because the sound is fantastic. Just wondered if anyone else had the same problem and found a cure. By the way, I will post some pictures when I get some time. Thanks. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 3714 Registered: 5-2002 |
Craig; I don't know anything about guitar pickups; but congrats on the Tribute! Hopefully one of the other guitar owners will chime in on the pickup height adjustment. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 1245 Registered: 7-2004 |
Craig: Congrats on joining the six string fold. The Tribute is a great instrument. As for the pickups, how are you adjusting them? Each has four screws, two on top of the pickup, at opposite corners, and two below the pickup, at the other two opposite corners. To lower the pickups you must first adjust the two screws that are underneath the pickups. These set the actual height. Then use the two on top to lock the pickup down. There should certainly be enough room to lower them so that they don't hit the strings when you play. BIll, the guitar one | ||
| tom_z
Advanced Member Username: tom_z Post Number: 369 Registered: 7-2004 |
Congratulations Craig! Glad you're enjoying your Tribute. I wish I could add something more helpful with respect to your pickup height issue. On my Skylark, the pickups were both set at a comfortable height. I have been able to adjust them both higher and lower without any strings touching. I realize the Skylark is a different animal from the Tribute - there are a couple of Tribute owners that drop in from time to time who might be able to shed more light on your set up. I'm looking forward to seeing some pics of your guitar. Good luck. Peace Tom | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 877 Registered: 6-2002 |
Also kind of hoping that those scratches you mention aren't stress marks in case you would have tried to lower the pickup without first lowering the hidden screws - check out the FAQ/Must Read section here, or the Taking Care of Your Instrument section on the main site. | ||
| honkylips
Junior Username: honkylips Post Number: 12 Registered: 8-2005 |
I hate to sound like a complete moron, but how do I access the hidden screws? I only see the two 3/32 hex screws (one on each end of the pickups). a very slight counter-clockwise twist of the hex screw does make the pickup go higher. Unfortunately, I can't go any further clockwise (tightening) to get the middle humbucker just a hair lower. As far as the pickup showing stress marks, they do not. I am getting just very slight linear indentations on the middle humbucker that is in the area underneath the low E and A strings (which is similar in appearance to the fretboard on fretless bass after being played with roundwound strings). I presume this isn't really from the strings buzzing against the pickup cover while playing, but rather from my palm constantly resting on those strings while playing on the higher strings. Any advice would be helpful. By the way, I also own an Essence 5-string bass. The pickups on the Essence clearly are different from those on the Tribute. Thus, the adjustment procedure is not the same. I certainly appreciate any input you all can give me. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 1251 Registered: 7-2004 |
Craig: Right you are, the Tribute mounts are differnet from the usual Alembic mounting system. As for my post above, let me invoke the spirit of the great Emily Litella, "Never mind". Bill, tgo | ||
| honkylips
Junior Username: honkylips Post Number: 13 Registered: 8-2005 |
Thanks anyway, Bill. Anyone else know the solution to this problem? | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 3275 Registered: 6-2000 |
The pickups covers on the Tribute are ABS plastic and will wear much better than the pickups on your Essence which are made from cast polyurethane. If you have the pickup mounted as low as it will go, about the only thing you can do is to route the cavity yet deeper and re-install the threaded inserts. | ||
| honkylips
Junior Username: honkylips Post Number: 14 Registered: 8-2005 |
Thanks Mica! After spending some more time with the guitar, I'm now quite happy with the pickup height. I find that there is a bit more "room" above the single coil and by making a very slight adjustment in where I anchor my right hand, life is good. Thanks again, I'm loving the guitar! |
