No springs underneath pickups?

[blaine450r]

I just bought the John Petrucci 6 string guitar and I noticed that there wasn't no springs underneath the pickups for adjustment. Was there suppose to be some or do I have 2 put them in myself or is it even possible? THANKS

 

[dannymusic]

why change it? they are perfect from the factory

 

[MikeVt]

They are not supposed to be there. That's how John likes it.

 

[beej]

That's right. The pickup height is non adjustable, as per JP's preference.

 

[Spudmurphy]

There are no springs - however if you did want to change the pickup height you can use some "packing" in the pickup cavity. I've used some foam rubber (draft excluder from a horse box!) before now. I plan on using a wooden packing piece as my preference is to raise the bridge pickup.

 

[misterB]

The bit of O.C.D. in me wants to raise them a bit closer to the strings just because my other guitars' pickups are all adjusted closer. But I haven't touched them because they truly sound spectacular the way they are.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

I haven't touched them because they truly sound spectacular the way they are.

I would personally think that a spectacular sounding guitar is better than one where the pickups happen to be like my other guitars......but that's me.....

 

[DrKev]

...but so many guitar players make their adjustments by eye and not by ear, myself included! It's such a hard habit to break. My Silo Spec sounds SO GOOD tonight it's giving me goosebumps but I still look at it and say to myself "that neck pickup looks a little low and so does that bridge pickup and the middle pickup looks a little high..."

If I change anything, and God knows I've spent many happy hours getting it where it is now, you guys have full permission to kick my ass.

 

[blaine450r]

Ok, I think I'll give the foam packing a try. Thanks for the info/ideas everyone. I appreciate it.

 

[misterB]

...but so many guitar players make their adjustments by eye and not by ear, myself included! It's such a hard habit to break. My Silo Spec sounds SO GOOD tonight it's giving me goosebumps but I still look at it and say to myself "that neck pickup looks a little low and so does that bridge pickup and the middle pickup looks a little high..."

If I change anything, and God knows I've spent many happy hours getting it where it is now, you guys have full permission to kick my ass.

Nice to know I'm not the only one to go through that thought process just from LOOKING at pickup height (and action too ). Damn glad I fought the urge and haven't touched a thing. As someone said. . .Perfect as is!!

 

[shredhed]

I use stick on foam insulation for doors and windows. It comes in 7/16" and sticks right on the back of the pup.

I don't like the way direct mounted pickups sound, so I always raise them a tad with foam. Just enough to get them off the body.

 

[GHWelles]

One thing to consider: Those pickups are direct mounted to the wood. This is supposed to have an effect on the sound. If you use foam it might dampen the sound. How about wood shim? Or you could raise the pole pieces only.

 

[shredhed]

Actually there is a lot of misunderstanding about the way pickups interact with the body and a vibtating string.

The reason pickups were originally designed for mounting on springs or rubber tubing is to isolate the pickup from the vibrations of the body. So, yes raising them on foam does "dampen" them, but this is not a bad thing.

What happens when you direct mount a pickup is that the pickup vibrates with the body and the strings. This vibration that coinsides with the string cancels out (attenuates) certain frequencies that are produced by the string, changing the sound. In fact, that guy that did this in '78 said he wanted the pickup and the body to vibrate "as one". He was right although I don't think he realized why it did what it does to the tone- only that he liked it.

People have been direct mounting for years thinking it adds something, when in reality it actually subtracts from the tone. lol

I've had several guitars that I either direct mounted or they came that way, but I never liked the way they sounded. I prefer the sound of the pickup being isolated from the body. The argument can be made that the pickups on the guitars that come that way have pickups that are designed and wound to sound good direct mounted, but still I don't care for the tone, and anymore always just raise it a 64th to get it off the bod.

Just personal preference and totally non-invasive and reversable.

I do think pickups mounted without pup rings look cool though

 

[misterB]

Very interesting. Thanks for that info shredhed.