How high should I set my pickups?

We’ve found 3/32 of an inch (2.381mm) is a good place to start. But every pickup and guitar manufacturer has their own specifications. And getting your pickups to this ballpark setting is actually quite easy. For the most part, all you need is a screwdriver, pocket ruler, and a good playing environment.

What pickups did Steve Vai use on Passion and Warfare?

In the PAW tab book Vai lists Ibanez JEM 7, 77, 777 and Universe guitars. These were first generation JEMs from the late 1980s and the Universe had just been created. These guitars had DiMarzio PAF Pro pickups (JEM) and Blaze pickups (Universe), basswood bodies, rosewood fingerboards, one-piece maple necks.

How high should the strings be above a pickup?

We recommend between somewhere close to 5/64″ on the bridge pickup, and about 4/64″ on the neck. Keep in mind, these are measurements on the Low-E side. On the High-E, we might suggest you move it just a tad closer (say 1/64″ on each pickup). Adjusting height is easy.

Are my pickups too close to the strings?

As a starting point/rule-of-thumb sort of thing, though, I’d advise the following: Don’t set humbuckers closer than 4/64” (1.6mm) Don’t set Fender-type pickups closer than 6/64” (2.4mm) Don’t set P-Bass closer than 6/64”(2.4mm) and J-Bass closer than 5/64” (2mm)

How much does pickup height affect tone?

If the pickup is too high, the tone should warm up, getting rich or full as the height is reduced. This is because the strings will no longer be as affected by the magnetic pull of the pickup and will be able to vibrate freely in their natural cycles and harmonics.

What pickups does John Petrucci use?

John uses signature DiMarzio pickups and straps.

What pickups does Joe Satriani use?

Joe Satriani has used FRED® as his main bridge pickup for years. In 2005, Joe asked us for a hotter and bigger version to replace the FRED® in his new Ibanez® guitars. The new model called the Mo’ Joe™ is all about tone and definition.