Thread: Humbuckers
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# 2 28-03-2003 , 07:01 AM
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Apeldoorn, Holland
Posts: 32
It could be that the two screws on the front plate on either side of the pickup are a bit loose. If you tighten them a bit should take care of the problem. Don't tighten them too much otherwise the pickup posts (6 metal cylinders in the pickup) will be too close to the strings and that can cause distortion or the strings can actually "stick" to the magnetic posts.

Also, you can play with the level of the pickups in this way to achieve a more even tone across the strings. Or, you can raise the pickup on one side so that it's closer to the lower tone strings to give them a bit more "oomph".

Another thing: use a good screwdriver of the proper size to adjust the side screws otherwise you'll strip them. Happens a lot because the screws tend to be made from soft metal.

One last thing: take your new guitar to a reputable luthier (guitar and stringed instrument maker) to check the intonation (the correct length of the string in relation to the frets). Almost all new guitars, even very expensive guitars are not setup properly from the factory. My new Godin LGXT (not cheap) needed to be adjusted and in fact needed a few frets filed down. Actually, I went for a whole new fret job just to make it perfect. Also had the neck's radius (the curvature on the top face of the neck) redone so that it is smaller toward the head and larger toward the bridge (compound radius). Makes for much easier playing. This is a bit overkill but I wanted a guitar that I could be happy with for 20+ years.

Hope this answers your question.