Suhr Doug Aldrich pickups question for those who use them.

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Fret-Shredder

Fret-Shredder

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This is an interesting pickup. I put a set of these in my 2020 Les Paul Standard. The guitar came with burstbuckers which sounded fine I just wanted something a bit hotter which is why I chose the Aldrich. At 17k in the bridge you would think it would be super gainey but it's nothing like that. Whats weird is these seems less compressed and more clear if that makes sense. Here's my question... For you guys that have them what height do you think they sound best set at? I have the bridge about an 1/8th of an inch high off the pickup ring. Thanks in advance.
 

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I usually start with two nickels worth of gap on the bass side (use them like a feeler gauge). On the treble side, I'll use one nickel gap. Then, I will play clean cowboy chords and adjust the height slightly until it sounds balanced. YMMV.
 
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I know Im not much help but I have mine way higher. Probably half of the way of the space you have left. I too, wanted a hotter pickup and the aldrich was exactly what I wanted.
 
I put them in a PRS, and didn't really deviate from what I'd normally do, height-wise. 2-2.5mm on the bass side, closer to 1.5-2mm on the treble side.
 
I go by ear.. it is always slightly different but I'd raise them just a tad more. Also, what I like about the Aldrich is that it is clear and tight and rounded on the top end. Not a compressed mess like some pups and a lot of Dimarzios!
 
I just got off the phone with Suhr. Here is their recommended procedure. They told me for the Bridge pickup to press and hold the low E at the highest fret then measure 7/64 from the top of the pick up to the string. And for the Neck pickup do the same with the high E string and measure from the top of the pickup 5/64 to the string. Sheeeeesh. I was looking on my ruler and my 56 year old eyes are having trouble seeing those lines. ? ? ? Are you guys depressing the string like that or just measuring from the top of the pickup to the string.
 
Fret-Shredder said:
This is an interesting pickup. I put a set of these in my 2020 Les Paul Standard. The guitar came with burstbuckers which sounded fine I just wanted something a bit hotter which is why I chose the Aldrich. At 17k in the bridge you would think it would be super gainey but it's nothing like that. Whats weird is these seems less compressed and more clear if that makes sense. Here's my question... For you guys that have them what height do you think they sound best set at? I have the bridge about an 1/8th of an inch high off the pickup ring. Thanks in advance.
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Perhaps you know and It's just the words you chose. The right pickup height has nothing to do with the pickup ring...
 
I was just saying I started out with the top of the pickup flush with the top of the pickup ring and knew it was too low at that point. I understand what you are saying and that I'm supposed to measure from the top face of the pickup to the string.
 
Fret-Shredder said:
I just got off the phone with Suhr. Here is their recommended procedure. They told me for the Bridge pickup to press and hold the low E at the highest fret then measure 7/64 from the top of the pick up to the string. And for the Neck pickup do the same with the high E string and measure from the top of the pickup 5/64 to the string. Sheeeeesh. I was looking on my ruler and my 56 year old eyes are having trouble seeing those lines. ? ? ? Are you guys depressing the string like that or just measuring from the top of the pickup to the string.
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I depress the strings like that as well. Those are also good starting points for height. My guess is he's measuring to the top of the screw pieces and not the bobbin. When I'm swapping pickups, I always start at around 5/64 at both sides (7/64 on bass would be fine too). You're really just trying to get a good starting point and then ultimately adjust by ear after that if needed. I make adjustments in 1/4-1/2 turns as well. The nickel technique chumbucket mentioned is perfect to get started too if you don't have a ruler or if the lines are too small to see. That'll put you around 5/64 & 10/64 using 1 under the treble and 2 under the bass.
 
I had a 2008 Gibson Standard and put one of those in the bridge. My band did classic rock up to hard rock and metal and o could cover them all. Such a singing, sweet tone from the Aldrich and not what people would expect.
 
I like the Aldrich really far away from the strings in my Charvel. Easily 1/8 or more away.

FWIW, I couldn’t get the Aldrich low enough in my LP’s… ?
 
psychodave said:
I like the Aldrich really far away from the strings in my Charvel. Easily 1/8 or more away.

FWIW, I couldn’t get the Aldrich low enough in my LP’s… ?
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Just curious on why you didn't care for them in your Les Paul's.
 
Fret-Shredder said:
Just curious on why you didn't care for them in your Les Paul's.
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I much prefer the 80’s Duncan Distortion and JB (neck) over the Aldrich. My LP is really compressed and just doesn’t like the Aldrich or SSH+. Every other pickups I’ve tried has been good though.
 
When i was using one i had it set pretty high, but i generally do that with all pickups, i like an aggressive tone.
 
With no frets depressed, I had mine set with the neck 3.86mm on low E and 5.05mm on the high E
Bridge pickup was 2.97mm on the low E and 2.35mm on the high E.

I guess the standard way to do it is to depress the last fret and measure, but not sure it matters as long as you are consistent.
 
Do the one/two nickel thing--its quick easy and works-- then if you need more or less slightly adjust to suit your ears.
 
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