Question Pickup Height on SM-Y2D

[IronHearT]

I just received my SM-Y2D. a great change from all my previous Ibanez collection .

I looked into several topics of the Forum, but I failed to find a relevant answer to my question regarding the Pickup Heights on my Factory-set Guitar:

The pickup heights on myu guitar are:
NHB: 7/32"
SC: 5/32"
BHB: 3/32" (SC side) and 7/32" (Bridge side) as in the pictures below (guitar top view).
View attachment 5329

View attachment 5330


is this normal to have a "tilted" BHB this way? what is the correct heights to make this guitar as Steve sets up his own? The guitar sounds great, I'll just have to get used to the low volume of the SC.

 

[TonyEVH5150]

It's my understanding that the pickups on the SM-Y2D are set to Steve's preference. I'm not sure about the tilt on the two pickups, but those who own/play should chime in. Could be Steve prefers the slight tilt on those to emphasize bass/mid/treble for that particular position.

Check out the "Steve Morse Talks with Sterling Ball" videos on the following link. I know they talk about the pickup height and setup on that guitar (on vid #2 and 3 I believe).

Ernie Ball Music Man Media Gallery

 

[beej]

Welcome to the forum man.

The tilt on the HB- that often happens. It's supported at the middle (screws through the pickguard) and sometimes tilts a bit. You can probably just push it even. Shouldn't make much of a difference.

The SC set low is Steve's preference- mix it with the HB or use it on it's own and you get less output so you can play clean w/o having to drop the gain on your amp. I find it pretty handy for that.

 

[IronHearT]

Thank you very much, Tony and Beej for your VERY fast reply. I really appreciate it.

Beej,..............I tried to push the BHB even but it wouldn't stay parallel to the strings. It may work if I screw the pickup inside the guitar body. However, I don't want to mess withe guitar setup until I know the exact pickup heights. the guitar sounds amazing. It came to me in tune, but it needs some intonation adjustments. I'm getting along with the low SC now. it makes sense, and I don't know why I never done that with my previous guitars before..

Tony,..............the video# 2 is not available anymore on youtube. it plays #1 when selected. I understand the guitar is set up as Morse wanted it, but I never saw the tilted pickup anywhere else.

 

[TonyEVH5150]

Here's video #2

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkI3Kffq4H4&feature=related]YouTube - Ernie Ball - Steve Morse Talks With Sterling Ball #2[/ame]

The tilt may be as beej suggested.

 

[tommyindelaware]

take off the rear cavity plate & find the bridge hummer lead. it's probably a little too taut on the pickup side of the tiedown.......slighty pulling on the pickup base plate. create a little slack to allow the pickup to set level. probably will have to cut the little wire tie ....& replace w/ the slack needed to let the pickup sit level.

 

[shredhed]

That happens for 2 reasons, one the above post, and two it's the neoprene sleeves they use as tensioners as opposed to real springs. I have regular pup springs on all 3 pups. Sits nice and level now.