pickup height

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Desmund Nichols

Does it matter with the wood combinations? Because of my three basses, all three have different pickup heights, as well as string heights.

String heights are relative to pickup heights. You can be further away from the strings with the pickups without problems but too close, and you can get magnetic pull which will muffle the sound.

Neck/rod position and adjustments also play a role here.

First, I set the neck where I want it and then the bridge. I will go back to the neck adjustment if needed as well as the bridge and tweak the two till satisfied. Then, the last thing I do is set the pickups to match 'that' set-up. Different basses have different tensions for multiple reasons so even if the strings are at the same height, the pickups might be a hair closer or further. I put them down low enough 'not' to be in the way of the 'sonic oscillation' of the amplified string (I think I just invented a phrase!).