Pickup height FAQ clarification, please

[adouglas]

My fretless Bongo has less output than my fretted Bongo, so I'm raising the pickup.

The FAQ says the distance between the bottom of the G string and the "top of the plastic between the pickup covers" (I assume what's actually meant here is the plastic between the pole pieces) should be 6/32".

Okay, but is that with the string pressed down to the fretboard, or not? And if so, fretted where?

TIA.....

 

[MrMusashi]

open strings.. no pressing down on any fret

like i was told when i asked.. mm isnt like every other company (coff coff.. fender)

MrM

 

[guitarafondio]

We set the strings at 6/32" on the single humbuckers. Dual humbuckers the neck pick up is at 8/32" and the bridge remains at 6/32". This is done at the high and low end of the pick up at the highest point. Sometimes it's the plastic cover, sometimes it's the pick up pole. Single coil with humbucker, both are at 6/32"
Raising the pick ups may cause a type of buzzing from your strings especially on the low end.
Remember that both ends of the pick ups should be the same distance from thier respective strings. Try Changing the batteries.

 

[adouglas]

Thanks for the detailed response...

Batteries are okay. It's just that the max output of my fretless Hp Bongo 5 (i.e. with the volume cranked) is noticeably lower than the output of my fretted HHp Bongo 5. It needs a little tweak of amp volume (maybe 10-15 percent) every time I change basses.

I'd just like to remove that small annoyance. My concern, of course, is getting the pickups too close to the strings, and thereby choking them (the magnets in those Bongo pickups are un-effin-believeable).

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Andy,

Have you tried turning the volume knob down a tiny bit on the HHP 5? Then you don't have to mess with the amp at all when you change basses

 

[adouglas]

Well, sure, but that's always a bit dodgy, as in imprecise.

It'd just be nice to have both basses put out the same level of signal.

When it comes to fiddling with knobs on the bass, I'm pretty much a set-and-forget guy. I make sure it's right at the start of the set, but after that I want to just pick it up and play. Also, there's always a bit of extra time pressure when you're switching basses.

OBTW, the fretless is sounding fantastic!