This is something new for me. It probably isn't for the pros or experienced ones but please, share your thoughts or even give the low-down on this issue.
Case
A H-H config with 2 similiar pups (PAF Pros, output 300mA)
Setup is for optimal bridge performance, I want it as close to the strings as possible.
School of Thought 1 (SoT1)
Many of us (myself included) have always thought when you set up your pup height, you want to balance your pup's volume. So neck and bridge humbuckers should be balanced in volume right? That would leave the bridge closer to the strings than the neck... the neck pup would be actually rather far from the strings.
Thats a school of thought a lot of us have been going thru.
School of Thought 2 (SoT2)
Just recently, I noticed, from some articles and from a tech, that instead of balancing the pups' output volume, the pups are balanced INDIVIDUALLY. So for example, the bridge humbucker is placed say, as close as possible for best harmonic pickup and articulation, without mudding up. Same setup for the neck pup. In the case of the dual PAF Pro config, we will have a louder neck pup.
I was stumped. So whats good?! I sat back and thought for a moment, this is what I came up with, please advise, anyone.
Pros/Cons of SoT1
The neck pup will be lower output (when playing with distortion, drop in gain when switching to neck pup is evident), further from strings means less effect "sensing" of harmonics (yes, neck pups can scream, listen to Vai) and less articulation/dynamics. But you do get a more woody/natural/vintage tone.
Pros/Cons of SoT2
Both pups will be a optimal output, sensing harmonics well, and articulate. Player will notice no drop in gain when playing with distortion. However, on clean (or minial gain) the neck pup will be louder than the bridge.
Conclusion?
In this case, I can see how when using similiar pups like in the above Case, SoT1 might actually make more sense.
However, there are matched pups. We know them...
Satch uses a Paf Joe (272mA) with the new Mo'Joe (320mA)
Vai uses Evo neck (294mA) with Evo bridge (404mA) or the Breed set (325mA and 356mA)
There's the popular Air Norton (270mA) and Tonezone (375mA) combination.
I think those would allow for optimal (close as possible) setup of BOTH neck and bridge pups while the different in output makes up for the volume.
What do you guys think?
Case
A H-H config with 2 similiar pups (PAF Pros, output 300mA)
Setup is for optimal bridge performance, I want it as close to the strings as possible.
School of Thought 1 (SoT1)
Many of us (myself included) have always thought when you set up your pup height, you want to balance your pup's volume. So neck and bridge humbuckers should be balanced in volume right? That would leave the bridge closer to the strings than the neck... the neck pup would be actually rather far from the strings.
Thats a school of thought a lot of us have been going thru.
School of Thought 2 (SoT2)
Just recently, I noticed, from some articles and from a tech, that instead of balancing the pups' output volume, the pups are balanced INDIVIDUALLY. So for example, the bridge humbucker is placed say, as close as possible for best harmonic pickup and articulation, without mudding up. Same setup for the neck pup. In the case of the dual PAF Pro config, we will have a louder neck pup.
I was stumped. So whats good?! I sat back and thought for a moment, this is what I came up with, please advise, anyone.
Pros/Cons of SoT1
The neck pup will be lower output (when playing with distortion, drop in gain when switching to neck pup is evident), further from strings means less effect "sensing" of harmonics (yes, neck pups can scream, listen to Vai) and less articulation/dynamics. But you do get a more woody/natural/vintage tone.
Pros/Cons of SoT2
Both pups will be a optimal output, sensing harmonics well, and articulate. Player will notice no drop in gain when playing with distortion. However, on clean (or minial gain) the neck pup will be louder than the bridge.
Conclusion?
In this case, I can see how when using similiar pups like in the above Case, SoT1 might actually make more sense.
However, there are matched pups. We know them...
Satch uses a Paf Joe (272mA) with the new Mo'Joe (320mA)
Vai uses Evo neck (294mA) with Evo bridge (404mA) or the Breed set (325mA and 356mA)
There's the popular Air Norton (270mA) and Tonezone (375mA) combination.
I think those would allow for optimal (close as possible) setup of BOTH neck and bridge pups while the different in output makes up for the volume.
What do you guys think?