Albert Lee Help Please

[GuitarHack]

I lent my SSS Albert Lee to a friend of a bandmate, who told me he raised the pickups to get more volume/bite out of it . I preferred the way it sounded before, so I've lowered them, but still don't think I'm back to where I was before. The way it came from the factory sounded perfect to me.

Can anybody out there confirm what the pickup heights are on the SSS AL as it leaves the factory?

Also, the pole pieces in the bridge are flush with the pickup cover, but protrude on the middle and neck pickups. Is this normal? I honestly don't remember this to be the case, but I'm not sure.

Thanks,
GuitarHack

 

[roburado]

Forgive me, but I think that was an inconsiderate thing for that person to do to YOUR guitar.

 

[brasco68]

Forgive me, but I think that was an inconsiderate thing for that person to do to YOUR guitar.

Especially without even asking first....

 

[Norrin Radd]

Also, the pole pieces in the bridge are flush with the pickup cover, but protrude on the middle and neck pickups. Is this normal? I honestly don't remember this to be the case, but I'm not sure.

Thanks,
GuitarHack

That is normal - no worries on the pole piece height. As for the pickup height - I'm no help. I moved mine and experimented. They do sound best near the factory position though. Why not just sit in front of the amp with a little phillips head and adjust to taste? That's what I did.

 

[GuitarHack]

Especially without even asking first....

No argument here, I would never do that myself. I was pretty PO'd, but my bass player who is his friend already let him have it. The guy doesn't seem to have a mean bone is his body, it just never even occurred to him to ask first. Oh well.

At least it's something I can easily put right, either with some advice, or a lot of trial and error.

 

[GuitarHack]

That is normal - no worries on the pole piece height. As for the pickup height - I'm no help. I moved mine and experimented. They do sound best near the factory position though. Why not just sit in front of the amp with a little phillips head and adjust to taste? That's what I did.

I may have to do that, but if someone can get me close, it'll help.

Thanks for the answer on the pole pieces. BTW, I rented "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" yesterday with my kids. Sad to say it was only then I remembered where your name came from.

What's Jessica Alba like in person?

 

[Norrin Radd]

What's Jessica Alba like in person?

Hotter than the Devil on the 4th of July in rural Alabama!!!

 

[Multiversal]

lol, that picture is so edited it's insane.

 

[roburado]

Can anybody out there confirm what the pickup heights are on the SSS AL as it leaves the factory?

Get in touch with customer service. They will probably be able to help you out. Otherwise, just adjust to taste. I bought my Silo Spec used and the pickup heights were all jacked up. EBMM told me what the pickup heights were supposed to be, but I just went and did the adjust to taste thing, because I didn't have a suitable ruler. I'm perfectly happy with the guitar now even if it may not be with the pickups at the "stock" pickup height.

 

[GuitarHack]

Get in touch with customer service. They will probably be able to help you out. Otherwise, just adjust to taste. I bought my Silo Spec used and the pickup heights were all jacked up. EBMM told me what the pickup heights were supposed to be, but I just went and did the adjust to taste thing, because I didn't have a suitable ruler. I'm perfectly happy with the guitar now even if it may not be with the pickups at the "stock" pickup height.

Thanks, I'll do that tomorrow.

I can't believe that pic didn't hijack this thread...

 

[GuitarHack]

lol, that picture is so edited it's insane.

Multi, your point is....???

 

[robelinda2]

did the mate like the AL?????

 

[Spudmurphy]

The pickup heights stock from the factory is literally just a couple of millimeters - about 1/8th of an inch or thereabouts I bleeb.

 

[GuitarHack]

did the mate like the AL?????

I assume not. We never got to that point in the discussion after the pickup adjustment thing, which he said he did to try to "make the guitar come to life". So I guess that's his answer...he thinks it's a dead guitar. My bandmate said his main concern is probably with the decal on the headstock . Oh well...more MMs for us.

An unpleasant experience all around. I was trying to share a special guitar with someone, plus do a favor for my bandmate (who is embarrassed AND as PO'd as I am). And, the guy who messed with my pickups, he feels bad too. He's not a bad guy, just kind of naive and happy-go-lucky. I don't think he'd care at all if he lent a guitar to someone, and it came back scratched...just one of those laid-back, no-worries kind of airheads.

I'm venting a bit here, but I'm past it...no damage done, just a few screwdriver turns and everything will be fine. You're only as big as what aggravates you.

 

[GuitarHack]

The pickup heights stock from the factory is literally just a couple of millimeters - about 1/8th of an inch or thereabouts I bleeb.

Spud, you're probably right, I've been cranking them down to where it sounds like I think it did before, and the neck especially is getting pretty low.

 

[candid_x]

GH, not sure about the AL but the Silo Specials come with the neck p'up very low, middle a bit higher, and bridge higher yet. I think this follows the the natural angle of the strings, plus there's more vibration nearer the neck (or toward middle of string) and less near the bridge. I've found this to be a pretty good rule-of-thumb.

Also, raise it slightly higher at the skinny strings, lower at the bass strings.

 

[GuitarHack]

Thanks, Candid. My Silo Specials are in fact set up that way. I'd also lowered the neck pup on my Silo Special (per your suggestion) and it sounds even better than it did before.

Low is the way to go (maybe).

 

[robelinda2]

low is the way to go.

 

[GuitarHack]

Okay, here's the scoop for Dan at MM:

The measurements for the Albert Lee are as follows (from the top of the plastic cover to the bottom of the string):

Bridge - 4/32"
Middle 5/32"
Neck 6/32"

Slightly closer on the treble side is OK.

Word of advice: Don't loan your guitar out again!

EBMM Customer Service rocks.

 

[Hoffmann]

Hey,

I know it's an older thread but I just experimented with the height of the PUs on my new AL. However, I liked the sound that the guitar came with most but wasn't able to get it back to there. Then I discovered this thread.

Have you tested these measurements stated above? How does the sound change if the pickups are lower? I had the feeling that the sound has more high frequencies and even a bit more transparency when the setting is lower.

from the top of the plastic cover to the bottom of the string

Now since the single pole pots are higher than the plastic cover do I have to measure from the top of them?

Thanks!