benh Posted June 29, 2020 Share Posted June 29, 2020 Dumb question I know. But how much would it actually affect how the pickup works? FYI I ask this as there is a set of pickups on eBay I've been looking at (Nordstrand Big Splits) which are the correct dimensions, but incorrect string spacing on the pole pieces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted June 29, 2020 Share Posted June 29, 2020 If you buy pickups that have bar magnets instead of pole piece magnets, it wont be a problem at all 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benh Posted June 29, 2020 Author Share Posted June 29, 2020 9 minutes ago, fleabag said: If you buy pickups that have bar magnets instead of pole piece magnets, it wont be a problem at all Very true. Unfortunately these are pole pieces. Me trying to be a skinflint buying second hand instead of new! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted June 29, 2020 Share Posted June 29, 2020 Actually , as you mention Nordy Big Splits, they have twin staggered poles, so i expect that the small discrepancy of 1.5mm string spacing isnt going to affect things 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benh Posted June 29, 2020 Author Share Posted June 29, 2020 31 minutes ago, fleabag said: Actually , as you mention Nordy Big Splits, they have twin staggered poles, so i expect that the small discrepancy of 1.5mm string spacing isnt going to affect things Yeah that's what I was thinking. Might be worth a punt. Or could end up being an expensive mistake! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted June 29, 2020 Share Posted June 29, 2020 18mm String Spacing is at the bridge? Gonna be less running over the bridge pup, and less again over a neck pup... How wide are ya strings at the point they go over the pup position? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted June 29, 2020 Share Posted June 29, 2020 Given that there are plenty of Js and Ps in the wild, where there is less than perfect alignment over the pole pieces with indiscernible output differences, I reckon you’ll be pretty safe. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benh Posted June 29, 2020 Author Share Posted June 29, 2020 1 hour ago, ezbass said: Given that there are plenty of Js and Ps in the wild, where there is less than perfect alignment over the pole pieces with indiscernible output differences, I reckon you’ll be pretty safe. True enough. 1 hour ago, PaulThePlug said: 18mm String Spacing is at the bridge? Gonna be less running over the bridge pup, and less again over a neck pup... How wide are ya strings at the point they go over the pup position? Good point, will measure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benh Posted June 30, 2020 Author Share Posted June 30, 2020 Somewhere between 17mm and 17.5mm at the pickups - have asked the eBay seller if they wouldn't mind measuring the pole pieces. Will see what happens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevL Posted June 30, 2020 Share Posted June 30, 2020 (edited) Using your initial figures of 18mm string-spacing and 16.5mm pickup spacing would put each of the inner strings 0.75mm outboard of their pickup, with each of the outer strings 2.25mm outboard of their pickup. These figures are just the centres of the strings and polepieces so will be less in reality as they do not account for string diameter or pole-piece diameter. As said, the pickups have staggered polepieces so this would further spread any discrepancy. Also, I used your initial measurement at the bridge - the slightly narrower string spacing at the pickups will obviously reduce things a small amount again. I wouldn't worry about it at all, get them bought and fitted. Edited June 30, 2020 by KevL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benh Posted June 30, 2020 Author Share Posted June 30, 2020 Quick mockup - I'm a bit unsure now, as the B and G strings are quite close to the edge. Is it worth saving a bit of time and money if they aren't aligned properly? Hmm... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted June 30, 2020 Share Posted June 30, 2020 (edited) 50 minutes ago, benh said: Quick mockup - I'm a bit unsure now, as the B and G strings are quite close to the edge. Is it worth saving a bit of time and money if they aren't aligned properly? Hmm... I reckon that will be fine, any output issues can be sorted by pickup or string height. I've seen worse alignment on brand new basses and guitars. This is my P type, sounds fine... However, if you're really not sure, don't do it. Edited June 30, 2020 by ezbass 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benh Posted June 30, 2020 Author Share Posted June 30, 2020 Thanks for the input so far. I guess what I'm after is - has anyone ever had a similar setup and had bad experiences with it? Or is there any theoretical reason why this would have an adverse affect in how the instrument sounds? Apologies, although I understand the basic concept of how magnetic pickups work, I don't know enough to determine what effect the pole pieces being slightly out of line would be - if any! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted June 30, 2020 Share Posted June 30, 2020 i dont think Neck and Bridge pickups have different spacing... Different winding on a standard bobbin maybe... what you are describing is way smaller and a much better fit than the PJ on my Ibby, and most others out there... 1) How much are they? 2) What else are ya options in spacing? - not a lot i expect... 'GO' 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benh Posted June 30, 2020 Author Share Posted June 30, 2020 Well, I decided to just go for it. Pickups ordered! Will update when I get them fitted 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted June 30, 2020 Share Posted June 30, 2020 36 minutes ago, benh said: Well, I decided to just go for it. Pickups ordered! Will update when I get them fitted 🙂 Good man! If they don’t work out, you can always sell them. However, I hope that you like them and post some suitable sound clips. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benh Posted June 30, 2020 Author Share Posted June 30, 2020 1 hour ago, ezbass said: Good man! If they don’t work out, you can always sell them. However, I hope that you like them and post some suitable sound clips. I hope so! I've not much in the way of recording equipment, but will try my best. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benh Posted July 2, 2020 Author Share Posted July 2, 2020 Pickups have shipped, estimated Saturday or Monday! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benh Posted July 3, 2020 Author Share Posted July 3, 2020 Pickups have arrived! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted July 3, 2020 Share Posted July 3, 2020 1 hour ago, benh said: Pickups have arrived! Get 'em in, get it going! Ooh, I'm as excited as you probably are. Vicarious GAS is often as good as the real thing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benh Posted July 3, 2020 Author Share Posted July 3, 2020 Fitted and wired up! Won't have chance until later tonight to plug in with headphones and see if the pole spacing is an issue or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted July 3, 2020 Share Posted July 3, 2020 Looking good. I really hope that these work out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted July 3, 2020 Share Posted July 3, 2020 looks as it should... were the holes for the pups already the right size? Do you have before and after pics? Need a pic of the whole body / bass 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benh Posted July 3, 2020 Author Share Posted July 3, 2020 (edited) Before (old pic when I first unboxed it), the child is mine too - starting her early! Edited July 3, 2020 by benh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benh Posted July 3, 2020 Author Share Posted July 3, 2020 After! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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