http://www.stoneddog.com/custom-guitar-neck-plates/
Guitar And Bass Repair: The Free Guitar And Bass Modification To Customize Your Tone
One of the simplest ways to adjust your guitar or bass can have a profound effect on its tone, and better yet, the adjustment is free and takes very little time or skill to perform. Adjust the height of your guitar or bass’ pickups according to the guidelines in this article and, with a little experimentation, you can come closer to playing the tone of your fantasies (yes, the ones where you are on stage sporting tight pants and trying to stay on your feet amidst a deluge of cheering and panties-or jock straps, whatever the case may be).
How Pickup Height Changes Tone
Please follow this link to view the figures for this article.
Pickups adjusted closer to the strings will generally produce a punchier, fuller tone with higher output. Adjust the pickups too high however, and the tone may become distorted (especially when the strings are played hard). Additionally, pickups with stronger magnetic fields can affect string vibrations when they are adjusted too high and may produce a “warbling” tone that is generally undesirable.
Pickups adjusted further away from the strings will produce a woodier tone with a better response to dynamic playing: softer attacks will produce cleaner tones and harder attacks will increase output without losing tonal definition. The slight decrease in output from lower pickups can be compensated for by adjusting your amplifier and effect settings. Of course, adjusting the pickups too low will result in an overall loss of tone and output, regardless of amp and effect settings.
Where to Start with Pickup Adjustments
The majority of pickups with plastic mounting rings are height-adjustable, you can simply turn the screws on either side of the ring to raise and lower each side of the pickup. Mounting rings with three height adjustment screws are usually for adjusting the slant of the pickup’s face as well as the height. Adjust three-screw mounting rings so the plane of the pickup’s face is parallel to the plane of the strings. If the pickups in your bass or guitar are not height-adjustable, remove them and place some material in their cavities to “shim” them up to the correct height (do not use ferrous material or anything that will interfere with the magnetic field or electrical signal of the pickup). Dense foam padding works well as a shim; it will press the pickup upwards like a spring, allowing you to raise and lower the pickup with the mounting screws alone, eliminating the need for different sizes of shims.
Finding your own perfect tone will require a little experimentation, but there is a good starting point from which to begin scouting out the tonal possibilities. Fret the lowest and highest strings at the last fret then adjust the pickups so they are about 1/16″ to 3/32″ below the strings. You may want the bridge pickup to be a little closer to the strings and the neck pickup to be a little further to accommodate the different vibration patterns at each location. Furthermore, you can lower the bass side of the pickup if you want more treble response, or lower the treble side for more bass response.
Pickups with individually-adjustable pole pieces may be further adjusted to balance their response to the different string sizes. The bigger the string, the higher the pickup’s output and pickups respond more to plain strings than wound strings. The heights of pole pieces (if they are adjustable) can usually be adjusted on the face of the pickup (when the pole pieces themselves are screws) or on the back of the pickup, sometimes behind a back plate. Adjust the low E pole piece lower than the rest, the A should be slightly higher than the E and the D should be slightly higher than the A. If your guitar has a wound G string then its pole piece should be adjusted slightly higher than the D pole piece, the B should be adjusted only slightly higher than the low E pole piece and the high E should be a little higher than the B’s pole piece. A plain G string’s pole piece should be adjusted only slightly higher than the low E pole piece, the B should be slightly higher than the G and the high E a little higher than the B. Take a look at figure 1 and figure 2 for a visual comparison of the plain and wound G pole piece configurations. Generally, pole piece height adjustments should only be used as a means of balancing (or unbalancing, if you desire the tone) the pickup’s response to the individual strings.
Finding your ideal tone by adjusting your pickups takes a little experimentation. Try out several different configurations, you can get a lot of different tones, especially if you have more than one pickup and they are wired with a blend control to mix their signals. Occasionally you will find a tone that you had not even imagined before! Thanks for reading, good luck finding your new tones.
Copyright © Anthony Olinger, Xylem Handmade Basses and Guitars 2009.
About the Author
Anthony is a professional luthier specializing in making and repairing handmade electric basses and guitars. He owns and operates Xylem Handmade Basses and Guitars. You can visit Xylem on the web at http://www.xylembassguitar.com.
Replacing, Installing, Removing a Guitar Neck Plate
|
|
Custom Shop 14 Engraved Guitar Neck Plate Fender Tele $18.99 |
|
|
CHROME PLATED Custom Engraved Neck Plate – 4 Hole Fender Guitar Style $24.95 |
|
|
GOLD PLATED Custom Engraved Neck Plate – 4 Hole Fender Guitar Style $27.95 |
|
|
Custom Series Limited Edition neck plate. Fits tele’s, strat’s and other styles $10.00 |
|
|
Guitar Part NECK PLATE Custom Engraved Etched – Fit Fender Bass – JACO PASTORIUS $7.99 |
|
|
Guitar Parts NECK PLATE Custom Engraved Fit Fender STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN SRV – GOLD $14.99 |
|
|
CHROME CUSTOM PLATE w/SCREWS for bolt on neck guitar 45 $24.50 |
|
|
Chrome Custom Engraved Highway One neck plate fits strat, tele guitars $21.49 |
|
|
Chrome Custom engraved neck plate fits strat, tele $21.49 |
|
|
GOLD FSR Custom Shop GUITAR NECK PLATE fits FENDER telecaster/stratocaster $9.99 |
|
|
New Custom Engraved Gold Guitar Neck Plate #G13 W/Screws $26.95 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Gold Guitar Neck Plate #G097 W/Screws $24.95 |
|
|
CHROME Image/photo/design/art ETCHED/ENGRAVED NECK PLATE FSR Custom Shop $18.00 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Gold Guitar Neck Plate #G17 W/Screws $21.95 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Gold “Alice In Wonderland” Guitar Neck Plate #G19 W/Screws $22.95 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Chrome Guitar Neck Plate W/Screws #2506 $22.95 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Chrome Guitar Neck Plate W/Screws #2508 $23.95 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Gold Guitar Neck Plate #G22 W/Screws $22.95 |
|
|
Fender Vintage RI CUSTOM SHOP Strat NECK PLATE 50s $89.99 |
|
|
BLACK CUSTOM ETCHED/ENGRAVED GUITAR/BASS NECK PLATE 02 $30.00 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Gold Guitar Neck Plate #G26 W/Screws $21.95 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Chrome Guitar Neck Plate #2686 W/Screws $24.95 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Gold Guitar Neck Plate #G30 W/Screws $23.95 |
|
|
Fender Stratocaster Classic Player Custom Shop Designed BODY TREMOLO NECK PLATE $225.00 |
|
|
Fender Vintage RI CUSTOM SHOP Strat NECK PLATE Chrome 50s 60s Guitar Tele $49.76 |
|
|
GOLD CUSTOM ETCHED/ENGRAVED GUITAR/BASS NECK PLATE 05 $26.50 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Black Guitar Neck Plate #1030 $16.95 |
|
|
Guitar Parts NECK PLATE Custom Engraved Etched DIMEBAG DIME DARRELL – BLACK $14.99 |
|
|
Guitar Parts NECK PLATE Custom Engraved Etched – OUIJA BOARD – BLACK $14.99 |
|
|
Fender Stratocaster Telecaster Custom Shop Neck Plate 60s RI Repro Serial Number $79.95 |
|
|
Chrome Custom Engraved “Texas Lone Star” neckplate fits strat, tele guitars $22.19 |
|
|
Gold Custom Engraved “Skull Limited Release” neckplate fits strat tele guitars $22.19 |
|
|
Chrome Custom Engraved “Dont Tread On Me” neckplate fits strat, tele guitars $22.19 |
|
|
Chrome Custom Engraved “Flames Custom Shop” neckplate fits strat, tele guitars $22.19 |
|
|
Chrome Custom Engraved “Skull Limited Release” neckplate fits strat tele guitars $22.19 |
|
|
GOLD Custom engraved neck plate fits strat, tele $22.19 |
|
|
Gold Custom Engraved “Flames Custom Shop” neckplate fits strat, tele guitars $22.19 |
|
|
Fender Vintage RI CUSTOM SHOP Strat NECK PLATE 60s $71.99 |
|
|
BLACK Image/photo/design/art ETCHED/ENGRAVED NECK PLATE FSR Custom Shop $11.50 |
|
|
Custom COLOR Neckplate Neck Plate Tie Dyed -Fits Strat / Tele USA $25.99 |
|
|
GOLD CUSTOM PATTERN 4 BOLT TELE/STRAT NECK/JOINT 08 $26.50 |
|
|
Custom COLOR Neckplate Neck Plate Western Paisley -Fits Strat / Tele USA $25.99 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Gold J-D Guitar Neck Plate W/Screws #GJD01 $26.95 |
|
|
Custom COLOR Neck Plate Western Paisley Custom Shop -Fits Strat / Tele USA $25.99 |
|
|
CHROME FSR Custom Shop GUITAR NECK PLATE fits FENDER telecaster/stratocaster $9.99 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Chrome Guitar Neckplate#752 $18.95 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Black Guitar Neck Plate W/Screws #2650 Fit’s Strat Or Tele $25.95 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Black Guitar Neck Plate #2654 W/Screws $22.95 |
|
|
Fender F Neck Plate neckplate with custom Serial Number $39.00 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Chrome Guitar Neck Plate #C13 W/Screws $24.95 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Gold Guitar Neck Plate W/Screws #2660 $22.95 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Gold Guitar Neck Plate W/Screws #2661 $22.95 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Gold Guitar Neck Plate W/Screws #2665 $21.95 |
|
|
GOLD Image/photo/design/art ETCHED/ENGRAVED NECK PLATE FSR Custom Shop $12.50 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Gold Guitar Neck Plate W/Screws #1080 $23.95 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Black Guitar Neck Plate #650 $23.95 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Gold Guitar Neck Plate W/Screws #1081 $23.95 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Gold Guitar Neck Plate #790 Fit’s Strat Tele &.. $21.95 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Chrome Guitar Neck Plate W/Screws #2083 $21.95 |
|
|
Fender Custom Shop Chrome Neck Plate $155.00 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Chrome Guitar Neck Plate #580 W/Screws & Gasket $23.95 |
|
|
GOLD CUSTOM ETCHED/ENGRAVED GUITAR/BASS NECK PLATE 09 $26.50 |
|
|
Custom Shop Engraved Guitar Neck Plate Strat Telecaster $18.99 |
|
|
BLACK CUSTOM ETCHED/ENGRAVED GUITAR/BASS NECK PLATE 09 $30.00 |
|
|
Custom Shop Neckplate Neck Plate Dove / Christian -Fits Strat/Tele $25.99 |
|
|
Custom Shop Neckplate Neck Plate Jesus/ Christian -Fits Strat/Tele $25.99 |
|
|
CHROME FSR Custom Shop GUITAR NECK PLATE fits FENDER/JACKSON/BC RICH/GIBSON $9.99 |
|
|
GOLD FSR Custom Shop GUITAR NECK PLATE fits FENDER telecaster/stratocaster $9.99 |
|
|
Gold Custom engraved neck plate w Stevie Ray Vaughan artwork fits stratocaster $22.49 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Chrome Guitar Neck Plate W/Screws #962 $22.95 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Gold Guitar Neck Plate #G089 W/Screws $23.95 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Gold Guitar Neck Plate W/Screws #R2260 $23.95 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Black SRV Guitar Neck Plate #B3 W/Screws $18.95 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Chrome Guitar Neck Plate W/Screws #962A $21.95 |
|
|
Custom COLOR Guitar Neck Plate Hendrix -Fits Strat / Tele USA $25.99 |
|
|
Guitar Parts NECK PLATE Custom Engraved Etched – Sexy MADE IN THE USA – CHROME $7.99 |
|
|
Guitar Parts NECK PLATE Custom Engraved Etched – JOE SATRIANI – CHROME $7.99 |
|
|
Guitar Parts NECK PLATE Custom Engraved Etched Fit Fender – BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN $7.99 |
|
|
Guitar Parts NECK PLATE Custom Engraved Etched – THE VENTURES – CHROME $7.99 |
|
|
Guitar Parts NECK PLATE Custom Engraved Etched RANDY RHOADS Ozzy – CHROME $14.99 |
|
|
Guitar Parts NECK PLATE Custom Engraved Fits Fender Strat – JIMI HENDRIX CHROME $14.99 |
|
|
Guitar Parts NECK PLATE Custom Engraved KISS – Makeup Faces Ace Gene Paul Peter $14.99 |
|
|
Guitar Parts NECK PLATE Custom Engraved Fit Fender – KURT COBAIN Nirvana $14.99 |
|
|
Guitar Parts NECK PLATE Custom Engraved Fit Fender KEITH RICHARDS Rolling Stones $14.99 |
|
|
Guitar Parts NECK PLATE Custom Engraved – Ibanez Jem – STEVE VAI – BLACK $14.99 |
|
|
Custom Shop Neckplate Neck Plate POW MIA-Fits Strat / Tele / Bass $25.99 |
|
|
Custom Shop COLOR Neckplate Neck Plate FLAG -Fits Strat/Tele USA $25.99 |
|
|
Custom COLOR Neck Plate Uncle Sam Custom Shop -Fits Strat / Tele USA $25.99 |
|
|
Custom COLOR Neck Plate Hendrix Album Cover -Fits Strat / Tele USA $25.99 |
|
|
Custom COLOR Neck Plate Stained Glass Church -Fits Strat / Tele USA $25.99 |
|
|
Custom COLOR Neck Plate Flames / Flag Custom Shop -Fits Strat / Tele USA $25.99 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Chrome Guitar Neck Plate #1017 $17.95 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Black Guitar Neck Plate #2556 Strat Tele Ect.. $20.95 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Black Guitar Neck Plate W/Screws #2290 Fit’s Strat Or Tele $22.95 |
|
|
Custom Engraved Chrome H-D Guitar Neck Plate #2301 W/Screws $20.95 |
|
|
Custom Shop 6 Guitar Neck Plate Tele Strat Pro C $18.99 |
|
|
New Custom Engraved Gold Betty Boop Guitar Neck Plate #20750 $19.95 |
|
|
Fender Stratocaster Custom Color 1963 Pre CBS Body, Neck, & Plate $1,080.00 |
|
|
New Custom Engraved Gold Guitar Neck Plate #G003 $21.25 |
|
|
New Custom Engraved Chrome Guitar Neck Plate #C005 $19.95 |