Whether or not a lower pickup height is better for guitar is a matter of personal preference. However, there are some general advantages and disadvantages to consider.
Advantages of lower pickup height:
- Cleaner sound: Lowering your pickups can help to produce a cleaner, more articulate sound. This is because the pickups will be less sensitive to the noise and interference caused by the strings.
- Reduced feedback: Lowering your pickups can also help to reduce feedback, especially when playing at high volumes. This is because the pickups will be less likely to over-amplify the vibrations of the strings.
- Increased clarity: Lowering your pickups can also help to increase the clarity of your notes, especially in the upper register. This is because the pickups will be less likely to muddy up the sound with too much bass response.
Disadvantages of lower pickup height:
- Reduced output: Lowering your pickups will also reduce their output level. This is because the pickups will be farther away from the strings, and will therefore be less sensitive to their vibrations.
- Reduced sustain: Lowering your pickups can also reduce the sustain of your notes. This is because the pickups will be less likely to keep the strings vibrating for as long.
- Thinner sound: Lowering your pickups can also produce a thinner sound overall. This is because the pickups will be less likely to capture the full range of frequencies produced by the strings.
Ultimately, the best pickup height for your guitar will depend on your personal preferences and the type of music you play. If you’re looking for a cleaner, more articulate sound, then lowering your pickups may be a good option. However, if you need a lot of output or sustain, then you may want to keep your pickups higher.
Here are some additional things to consider when choosing the right pickup height:
- The type of pickups you have: Different types of pickups have different characteristics, and some types of pickups may sound better at higher or lower heights. For example, humbucker pickups typically sound better at lower heights, while single-coil pickups typically sound better at higher heights.
- The type of guitar you have: Different types of guitars have different construction and materials, which can also affect the way that pickups sound at different heights. For example, guitars with solid bodies typically sound better with higher pickup heights, while guitars with semi-hollow or hollow bodies typically sound better with lower pickup heights.
- The type of music you play: If you play heavy music that requires a lot of distortion, then you may want to keep your pickups higher to get more output and sustain. However, if you play cleaner music that doesn’t require as much distortion, then you may want to lower your pickups to get a cleaner, more articulate sound.
The best way to find the right pickup height for your guitar is to experiment. Try different heights and listen to how they sound. You can also ask a luthier or experienced guitar player for help.
