Whether or not pickups should be at an angle is a matter of personal preference and the specific sound you are trying to achieve. There are both benefits and drawbacks to slanting pickups, so it is important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.
Benefits of slanting pickups:
- Improved tone balance: Slanting the bridge pickup helps to compensate for the fact that the bass strings vibrate more strongly than the treble strings. This results in a more even and balanced tone across all strings.
- Clearer high strings: Slanting the bridge pickup also helps to improve the clarity and definition of the high strings. This is because the slanted pickup focuses the magnetic field on the strings more effectively.
- Improved sustain: Slanting the bridge pickup can also help to improve the overall sustain of the instrument. This is because the strings vibrate more freely when the pickup is further from the bridge.
- Increased output: Slanting the pickup can also increase its output, which can be desirable for some guitarists.
- Reduced feedback: Slanting the pickup can also help to reduce feedback, especially when using high gain distortion.
Drawbacks of slanting pickups:
- Reduced treble response: Slanting the pickup can slightly reduce its treble response. This is because the treble strings are further away from the pickup.
- Increased complexity: Slanting pickups can be more challenging to install and adjust. This is because the pickup must be carefully angled and positioned to achieve the desired results.
Overall, whether or not to slant your pickups is a matter of personal preference. If you are looking for a more balanced and versatile tone, then slanting your pickups may be a good option. However, if you are happy with the tone of your guitar as it is, then there is no need to slant the pickups.
Here are some additional things to consider when making your decision:
- The type of guitar you have: Some guitars, such as the Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster, are known for their slanted pickups. These guitars are designed to sound good with slanted pickups, so there is no need to change them. However, if you have a guitar that is not designed for slanted pickups, then you may not want to slant them.
- The type of music you play: If you play a lot of high gain music, then slanting your pickups may be a good option, as it can help to reduce feedback. However, if you play mostly clean or low gain music, then slanting your pickups may not be necessary.
- Your own personal preferences: Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to slant your pickups is up to you. Experiment with different pickup configurations and see what sounds best to you.
If you are considering slanting your pickups, it is important to have them installed by a qualified guitar technician. This is because it can be difficult to get the pickups angled and positioned correctly.
