Question Neck pickup height on Bongo 6

[Eggman]

I did a search but couldn't find the info I was seeking.

On my Bongo 6 HH the neck pickup is set much lower (farther from the strings) than on any of my other 2 pickup EBMM basses. I have seen a few other pictures of HS and HH Bongo 6s and see the same thing.

Why is that? And is there an issue with raising the neck pickup?

Thanks

 

[mynan]

From the FAQ on the MM website:

Q: Could you tell me Music Man's StingRay factory settings for relief, string height, and pickup height?

A: First of all - almost all of the adjustments to string height can be made with the truss rod. Turn clockwise to raise the fretboard action, counter clockwise to lower it. The factory string height for our basses is 3/32" or 2.4mm between the bottom of the string to the top of the fret on both the E and G strings at the 12th fret. The G string can be slightly lower due to the fact that it is the smallest string. Of course, tightening or loosening the trussrod affects the bow of the neck, which is how desired action is generally best achieved.

The factory specifications for the pickup height is 6/32" or 4.76mm from the top of the plastic between the pickup covers to the bottom of the G string. The angle of the pickup is set fairly level, so the larger strings are naturally a bit closer. If you haven't already adjusted the pickup or changed to a very heavy gauge string set, you shouldn't have to do any adjustments on the pickup.

On the new 2-pickup basses, the measurements are virtually the same on the bridge pickup and the neck pickup is further away, about 8/32" or 6.35mm from the string to the pickup.

 

[mynan]

I'm not sure why, but my guess is to allow more room for the strings since there is more string movement there than over the bridge pickup.

 

[bovinehost]

I'm not sure why, but my guess is to allow more room for the strings since there is more string movement there than over the bridge pickup.

That is a very good guess.

String excursion decreases nearer the bridge.