Distance from Bridge to Pickup

  • Thread starter Thread starter LPMojoGL
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I recently compared a JB in one Strat with alder body and rosewood fretboard to a ToneNerd Sunset Strip in aother Strat with poplar body and maple fretboard.

The SS was tighter and brighter, JB more and looser lows, not as bright. I thought this was down to the pups and wood.
Now, knowing that the JB is 1 1/2" from the bridge, and the SS is 1 1/8" from the bridge, I wonder how much pickup placement has to do with what I heard. Also, thanks to this thread, I wonder if the pup placement is simply a matter of pickguard dimensions.
What would happen if I swap pups to the other guitar? What if the pickguards placed the pups at the same distance from the bridge?
It sucks. I was sure that I understood the differences in the pickups. Now, I realize that I really don't know how the pickups differ. I want to find out.
 
I stuck my finger between the Jarrett Forza at practice and it was different than the production model. On the prototype, I almost got two fingers in there, where the production model could barely take my pinky. They are the same wood and pickups, so now I want to hear the difference the bridge pickup placement makes.

There will be more science!
 
LPMojoGL said:
I recently compared a JB in one Strat with alder body and rosewood fretboard to a ToneNerd Sunset Strip in aother Strat with poplar body and maple fretboard.

The SS was tighter and brighter, JB more and looser lows, not as bright. I thought this was down to the pups and wood.
Now, knowing that the JB is 1 1/2" from the bridge, and the SS is 1 1/8" from the bridge, I wonder how much pickup placement has to do with what I heard. Also, thanks to this thread, I wonder if the pup placement is simply a matter of pickguard dimensions.
What would happen if I swap pups to the other guitar? What if the pickguards placed the pups at the same distance from the bridge?
It sucks. I was sure that I understood the differences in the pickups. Now, I realize that I really don't know how the pickups differ. I want to find out.
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Pickup location is just another piece of the puzzle and doesn't negate the contributing factors of the wood (spare me that debate, dissenters out there) and the pickup's voicing as well. It all adds up.

Also, make sure when measuring pickup distance from the bridge that the strings break angle over the saddle is the end point (center of the bridge in between G & D strings is the best place) and not the edge of the bridge unit itself. Different sized bridges (Nashville vs. ABR-1 or Floyd vs Stock Fender trem) could throw off measurements especially if just eyeballing it.
 
D.E.I. has really gone too far now:

DEIpup.jpg
 
chumbucket said:
So, what is the goldilocks sweet spot number? For 25.5" , 24.75? There must be an acceptable tolerance too right?
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The ruler serves several purposes. I use the small metal ones

String heigh most importantly. I can get an idea if I can improve the playability based on the current height and relief.

Also, at least here in Japan, there’s for more options for brands, but not all of them are accurate spec. For example, Most Greco LPs have a thinner body than real Gibson or some stray copies might have a thinner body than a real Strat.

As for sweet spot, there’s no rule of thumb, but I know I would want a darker pickup in a guitar with the pickup closer to the bridge saddle and if it’s further away, a brighter, lower output pickups would be okay.
IMG_7655.jpeg
 
I sold my Strat because no pickup could get it sounding right. I hated the bridge pickup being so far away from the bridge itself. It sounded blunt and too polite compared to my Les Pauls. It took almost neck pickup-like qualities.

I honestly didn't pay attention to that until I got that Strat and started digging in as to why it sounded so off compared to my Les Pauls even if acoustically, it didn't sound bad or dead or anything like that.
 
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Rex Rocker said:
I sold my Strat because no pickup could get it sounding right. I hated the bridge pickup being so far away from the bridge itself. It sounded blunt and too polite compared to my Les Pauls. It took almost neck pickup-like qualities.

I honestly didn't pay attention to that until I got that Strat and started digging in as to why it sounded so off compared to my Les Pauls even if acoustically, it didn't sound bad or dead or anything like that.
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And now we know, a different pickguard may solve that issue.
 
LPMojoGL said:
And now we know, a different pickguard may solve that issue.
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I tried a different pickguard. I bought a cheapie pickguard off amazon that had the hole for the bridge pickup a few mm closer to the bridge itself than the usual legit Fender stuff. It was better, but there's a limit to how close you can get on Strats before the pickup starts hitting the edge of the route below the pickguard.

I didn't want to go through the trouble of routing out the cavity and cutting a custom pickguard myself. I didn't use the trem at all, but I suppose they leave some space of wood between the route and the bridge itself for people who actually use the trem and put force on the mounting screws.

I actually traded the guitar in for a Les Paul Modern Lite, and I'm much happier. The Strat was kinda cool-looking (it was a Road Worn body with a baked Maple neck), but I dont really miss it.
 
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scottosan said:
The ruler serves several purposes. I use the small metal ones

String heigh most importantly. I can get an idea if I can improve the playability based on the current height and relief.

Also, at least here in Japan, there’s for more options for brands, but not all of them are accurate spec. For example, Most Greco LPs have a thinner body than real Gibson or some stray copies might have a thinner body than a real Strat.

As for sweet spot, there’s no rule of thumb, but I know I would want a darker pickup in a guitar with the pickup closer to the bridge saddle and if it’s further away, a brighter, lower output pickups would be okay. View attachment 391191
Click to expand...
You can also use those rulers to whack gear salesmen on the knuckles when they get out of line.
 
Rex Rocker said:
I tried a different pickguard. I bought a cheapie pickguard off amazon that had the hole for the bridge pickup a few mm closer to the bridge itself than the usual legit Fender stuff. It was better, but there's a limit to how close you can get on Strats before the pickup starts hitting the edge of the route below the pickguard.

I didn't want to go through the trouble of routing out the cavity and cutting a custom pickguard myself. I didn't use the trem at all, but I suppose they leave some space of wood between the route and the bridge itself for people who actually use the trem and put force on the mounting screws.

I actually traded the guitar in for a Les Paul Modern Lite, and I'm much happier. The Strat was kinda cool-looking (it was a Road Worn body with a baked Maple neck), but I dont really miss it.
Click to expand...
Bet that LP rox.
 
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