Valentine Pickup Height

[SgtThump]

I read on here that the factory pickup height settings on a Valentine are the following (open string - measure bottom of string to top of pole piece)

4/32" bridge
6/32" neck

Can that be correct? I've setup a newly purchased Valentine like that and the pickups are MUCH farther away from the strings than any other guitar I've owned. I typically measure with the strings depressed on the last fret and start at 4/32 for both pickups and adjust to taste. The factory specs aren't even close to that.

I'm wondering if maybe the factory specs should be in 64ths of an inch and not 32nds as listed? I've never seen a guitar with pickups this far away. It seems wrong to me.

 

[DrKev]

No, those are the correct numbers. Remember, the music man measurements are from the *open* strings. Most pickup manufacturers measure from the bottom of the string held at the last fret (and it’s often a “not closer than” figure) but in truth the numbers are approximately equivalent.

But feel free to adjust the pickups wherever you like them to be. Just try to adjust with your ears and not with your eyes for best results.

 

[SgtThump]

No, those are the correct numbers. Remember, the music man measurements are from the *open* strings. Most pickup manufacturers measure from the bottom of the string held at the last fret (and it’s often a “not closer than” figure) but in truth the numbers are approximately equivalent.

But feel free to adjust the pickups wherever you like them to be. Just try to adjust with your ears and not with your eyes for best results.

Thanks! It just seems strange to me, but I'll start there and see what happens.

 

[Ted]

Those measurements seem right. I measured the pickups on both of my Valentines and they were pretty much to those specs on the bass side-- within 1/32" either way. On my buttermilk Valentine I have the treble side of the bridge pickup a bit closer to the strings-- and that guitar is the snappier and snarlier of the two. My green BFR is the darker sounding and jazzier one. It has slightly heavier strings (9.5's vs 9's) and as I said, pickups are a fraction further away.

 

[SgtThump]

After messing around quite a bit, I've landed on pickup heights that aren't too far off the factory measurements. LOL

I'll keep messing around and report back. Thanks everyone! I'll post pics and more thoughts soon.

PS - This is a BFR 2020 "walnut flame" model I bought locally today > Ball Family Reserve

 

[Ted]

Those Walnut Flame BFRs are maybe the most deluxe version of the Valentine BFR. So many cool appointments in addition to a flame top. EBMM really went all out on that one. Congrats! Looking forward to pics and your review.

 

[SgtThump]

Those Walnut Flame BFRs are maybe the most deluxe version of the Valentine BFR. So many cool appointments in addition to a flame top. EBMM really went all out on that one. Congrats! Looking forward to pics and your review.

Thanks Ted! With the ebony board, block inlays, fretboard binding and double body binding, it's like a Les Paul Custom version of a Telecaster.

I'm in St Louis also. This was at the Crestwood GC and it doesn't look like it was ever played!

 

[SgtThump]

Quick pics before I hit the sack.

 

[DrKev]

That is STUNNING! Congratulations!

 

[SgtThump]

That is STUNNING! Congratulations!

Thanks! This came with the case, but no case candy. Would there normally be a certificate saying what # out of ## it is and stuff like that? I guess I don't care that much, but that would've been nice if it's a thing.

Also, I saw a blurb online about "Ranger" pickups? Are those different than normal Valentine pickups?

 

[Ted]

Thanks Ted! With the ebony board, block inlays, fretboard binding and double body binding, it's like a Les Paul Custom version of a Telecaster.

I'm in St Louis also. This was at the Crestwood GC and it doesn't look like it was ever played!

SgtThump, that's so cool that you're in St. Louis too. Nice score on it being in pristine new condition. That's how it was when I found my buttermilk Valentine-- they said the original owner played it for a few hours at most, set it back in the case and traded it in for a Strat or something. They said he just didn't like Tele style guitars. Not a scratch, a smudge or speck of dust anywhere on it.

Looking at the pics, man that is gorgeous! Beautiful flame on the top and figuring on the headstock. I like those pearloid tuner buttons too. Yeah I like the whole Gibson meets Fender approach to the Valentine in aesthetics, tone and features-- but with the EBMM build quality and playability-- and the Walnut Flame version has an extra dash of that uptown Gibson style.

The "Ranger" pickups are custom EBMM humbuckers that are ONLY in the BFR Carmelo model (with the Bigsby)-- yours look to be the correct standard Valentine pickups (which are totally brilliant pups--I'd never think about trying to replace these pickups).

Sucks they didn't leave the Certificate of Authenticity in the case, so you don't know what number your guitar is. If you scour the internet and try to find an old listing showing your actual guitar being sold for the first time, you might be able to figure out what number it is. Probably a longshot and no guarantee. If you enter the serial number into the EBMM database you can find out the actual build date which can help you narrow down where in the run it was built.

Again, congrats and have fun playing that beauty!

 

[SgtThump]

SgtThump, that's so cool that you're in St. Louis too. Nice score on it being in pristine new condition. That's how it was when I found my buttermilk Valentine-- they said the original owner played it for a few hours at most, set it back in the case and traded it in for a Strat or something. They said he just didn't like Tele style guitars. Not a scratch, a smudge or speck of dust anywhere on it.

Looking at the pics, man that is gorgeous! Beautiful flame on the top and figuring on the headstock. I like those pearloid tuner buttons too. Yeah I like the whole Gibson meets Fender approach to the Valentine in aesthetics, tone and features-- but with the EBMM build quality and playability-- and the Walnut Flame version has an extra dash of that uptown Gibson style.

The "Ranger" pickups are custom EBMM humbuckers that are ONLY in the BFR Carmelo model (with the Bigsby)-- yours look to be the correct standard Valentine pickups (which are totally brilliant pups--I'd never think about trying to replace these pickups).

Sucks they didn't leave the Certificate of Authenticity in the case, so you don't know what number your guitar is. If you scour the internet and try to find an old listing showing your actual guitar being sold for the first time, you might be able to figure out what number it is. Probably a longshot and no guarantee. If you enter the serial number into the EBMM database you can find out the actual build date which can help you narrow down where in the run it was built.

Again, congrats and have fun playing that beauty!

thanks again! I don’t know what “Ranger pickups” are, but the listing below says this BFR version has them? Probably wrong info.

Ernie Ball Music Man BFR Valentine Walnut Flame (073)

Limited to just 57 pieces worldwide, this BFR Valentine features a double bound ash body with maple top in a striking Walnut flame finish. The 3-ply white/black/white pickguard matches the white neck and body binding for a complete uniformed look. White pearl block inlays adorn an ebony...

willcuttguitars.com

I will search for the serial number and see if I can get more info online. Great suggestion! I’ll report back.

 

[SgtThump]

I just looked at the Carmelo. I see what you mean. Those are obviously humbuckers, so I clearly don’t have the “Ranger” pickups.

 

[msquared]

The walnut flame Valentines may be one of the most gorgeous guitars ever. Congrats!

 

[Roxy]

The bridge pickup is a slanted single coil in a Humbucker sized pickup. Checkout the specs and control diagram to confirm. Beautiful BFR version of the Valentine guitar! Congrats!