The Complete Guide To Pickup Height Adjustment For Electric And Bass Guitars

What Is Guitar Pickup Height?

Pickup Height for guitars refers to the distance between the pickups (the magnetic devices that "pick up" the vibrations of the strings) and the guitar strings. This distance affects the strength and quality of the signal the pickup sends to the amplifier, ultimately influencing the guitar's tone and output.

What Is The Purpose Of Guitar Pickups?

Guitar pickups are essential components on electric guitars that convert the vibrations of the strings into an electrical signal, which can then be amplified and manipulated to produce sound. They play a crucial role in shaping a guitar's tone.

When Should I Check My Guitar’s Pickup Height?

It is recommended to check your guitar’s pickup height when:

  • You buy a new guitar, as factory setup guitars may not match your preference in not only pickup height, but string action, neck relief, and intonation. Refer to MusicNomad’s Keep It Simple Setup (KISS)™️ process to ensure you setup your guitar to a playstyle that works for you before adjusting pickup height.
  • If your guitar’s tone sounds off, and you have ruled out other potential causes, you may need to check your pickup height. Check the balance between your guitar’s pickups.

What Tools Do I Need To Measure & Adjust My Guitar’s Pickup Height?

There are a few tools you will need to check and adjust your guitar's pickup height.

  • A pickup height gauge to measure the distance between the guitar pickups and the strings. MusicNomad’s String Action Gauge includes a pickup height ruler.
  • Depending on the guitar type, you will need a compatible screwdriver. All potential screwdriver types can be found in MusicNomad's wrench set.
 

What Pickup Height Measurements Should I Have On My Guitar?

  • Stratocaster: 3/32” bass side, 1/16” treble side, all pickups.
  • Humbucker: 1/16” bridge pickup, 3/32” neck pickup.
  • Telecaster: 3/32” bridge pickup, 1/16” neck pickup.
  • J and P-Bass: 3/32”

Note: 1/16” = 0.062” = 1.6mm
3/32” = 0.093” = 2.4mm

How Do I Measure And Adjust My Pickup Height For My Guitar?

1. Press the outer strings down on the last fret near the pickup. Measure the height of the bass strings and the treble strings. Use your MusicNomad string action gauge’s pickup height ruler (or whichever ruler you prefer), measure the pickup distance from the bottom of the string to the screw, using the recommended measurements shown above for your instrument. Place the guitar in the playing position if you need to see the measurements on your gauge more easily.

2. Take a screwdriver and carefully loosen or tighten the screw to raise or lower the pickup to the correct height. Be very careful turning flathead screws that are common on Gibson guitars, which tend to jump out of its seat and hit the top of the guitar.

3. On your guitar make sure to set your volume and tone to 10. Re-measure and re-adjust the pickups until the tone is even. Listen to the string balance of each pickup. Raise or lower each side as needed to make the output even. Listen also to the pickup-to-pickup balance. Raise or lower the pickups to make the balance even. For Fender Stratocaster guitars, your pickups may be too close to the strings if your low strings have an uneven sound. On a Telecaster, you may need to have your bridge pickup lower than the neck for equal output, and the neck pickup is often much lower output than the bridge. 

Notes:

  • Some Fenders have three pickups, and all three will need to be adjusted to have a consistent tone. For example, if the middle pickup was too high on the bass side, you will have to bring down the pickup lower to have less distance to the bass strings.
  • Some guitars have three-position or five-position switches that operate each pickup individually. The adjustment process would be the same regardless if the guitar has three or five position switches. If you get the individual pickups working well with each other, the positions will balance themselves out.

Step-By-Step Videos On Guitar Pickup Height Adjustment:

Fender

Gibson

PRS

P-Bass

What Would Happen If My Guitar Strings Are Too Close To The Pickups?

If your pickups are too close to the strings, especially with strong magnets like those in single-coil pickups, the magnets can interfere with string vibration. This is called Strat-itus (often found in Stratocasters) and leads to an uneven, warbling sound. You'll hear notes sounding wobbly or out of tune, especially on higher frets. Another issue that may occur if the strings are too close, is that they might hit the pickups when strumming. This can cause unwanted noises and fret buzz.

Which Way Do I Turn The Screw Adjustments For Humbucker Pickups?

  • Turning clockwise raises the pickup. This will increase the sound output. Having the string too close can muddy the tone or cause magnetic interference with the strings.
  • Turning counterclockwise lowers the pickup. This will create a more open sound with less output.

Would The Thickness Of My Strings Affect My Pickup Height Adjustment?

Yes, the thickness of your strings can affect your pickup height adjustment. Heavier gauge strings usually require a lower pickup, because they have more mass and produce a stronger magnetic pull compared to lighter strings, which can lead to changes in tone and volume.

My Guitar Has Some Foam Underneath The Pickups, And I Am Struggling To Adjust Them. What Should I Do?

If you have pickups that do not raise up and down, there might be some foam underneath the pickup that might prevent any pickup height adjustment. This is typical with Jazzmaster, Jaguar, and J/P Bass guitars, as the pickups are body-mounted. In these situations, it might be best to take the guitar to a shop instead of doing it yourself.

Do I Measure The Pickup Height From The Screw Or The Base?

Always measure your guitar’s pickup height from the top of the screw.

How Do I Balance The Output Between Pickups?

Start by adjusting the height of the bridge pickup, as it generally produces a brighter, more focused tone and has less natural sustain due to its position near the bridge.

Should Pickup Height Be Adjusted For Different Styles Of Playing?

Adjusting pickup height for different styles of playing can significantly enhance your tone and overall playing experience.

Having higher pickups can provide more sustain and have your chords sound fuller and more pronounced, which is ideal for a strumming playstyle. You may want to lower your pickups if you prefer fingerstyle, as slightly lower pickups can help achieve a more balanced sound and reduce the risk of overpowering bass notes.

What If My Guitar Pickup Doesn’t Move When I Adjust It?

Sometimes, the guitar’s pickup might not move by the pressure of the pickup spring by itself. If you start backing your screw out to lower the pickup and the screw is backing out of the pickguard, and the pickup is not moving, push the pickup down, and it will snap in place. This is a common issue that may occur with Stratocasters and Telecasters, as it is caused by the surgical tubing inside the pickup degrading over time.

What Is The Proper Guitar Setup Step-By-Step Process?

Depending on the type of guitar you will want to follow these steps in order to setup your guitar. MusicNomad's Keep It Simple Setup (KISS)™️ helps you properly setup your guitar.