The height of your guitar pickups affects their output, tone, and sustain. Lowering the pickups will reduce the output of the pickups, which will give you a quieter sound. It will also give you a smoother, more mellow tone. Lowering the pickups can also improve the sustain of your guitar.
Here are some of the specific effects of lowering pickups:
- Reduced output: When you lower the pickups, you are reducing the amount of magnetic field that is interacting with the strings. This means that the pickups will pick up less of the string’s vibrations, which will result in a lower output.
- Smoother, more mellow tone: Lowering the pickups will also give you a smoother, more mellow tone. This is because the pickups will be less likely to pick up the high-frequency overtones of the strings.
- Improved sustain: Lowering the pickups can also improve the sustain of your guitar. This is because the pickups will be less likely to dampen the string’s vibrations.
However, there are also some potential downsides to lowering pickups. For example, it can make it more difficult to play certain notes, especially if you are playing with a lot of distortion. It can also make the pickups more susceptible to feedback.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to lower your pickups is a personal one. There is no right or wrong answer, and the best way to find out what works best for you is to experiment.
Here are some tips for lowering pickups:
- Use a feeler gauge to measure the distance between the pickup pole pieces and the strings. This will help you to ensure that the pickups are set evenly.
- Be careful not to overtighten the pickup mounting screws. This can damage the pickup or the guitar body.
- If you are not sure where to start, try using the recommended pickup heights from the manufacturer.
With a little experimentation, you can find the perfect pickup height for your playing style.