Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Gary Stenzel on October 16, 2017 at 11:12am

I can answer the pickup question.

Just place the pickup at an angle so that all of the poles are under the strings.

Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on October 16, 2017 at 11:54am

A mag pickup reads mostly the strings and will sound more clear and guitar like  , a piezo reads the box vibrations , and sometimes even the hair on  your arm rubbing  on the  neck , and  usually  sounds like a microphone in your pocket ;-)  but , done right and  embedded in silicone or hot-glue to dampen the sound  a bit  , piezos can sound good . best to  test for a sweet spot . (usually near the top of the  bass  side of bridge  under the lid .)

yes you can use  4  or  6 pole mags on a  3   or 2  or even   one stringer .  some folks  tilt the pickup to align the  poles better  (but this is more-so for looks) ,  the mag field radiates outward so it will read  the strings even  between the poles . alignment is not necessary for the tiny difference it  may make . and actually , many pickups you see tilted may be for another reason . tone .  any side tilted toward the neck  will  sound warmer  ,    while the other side toward the bridge  will sound  brighter .  ie : the slanted pickuup on a strat . etc ..

 hope that helps .

Permalink Reply by Gary Stenzel on October 16, 2017 at 12:07pm

I thought I was being helpful, but I just learned something I didnt know. Thanks "Anonymous Pick"!

I think I need to keep my mouth shut and my ears open until I get a few more miles under my belt. Haha.

Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on October 16, 2017 at 12:32pm

Gary , Your answer was not wrong , pole alignment  does make a difference , just not so much on a fewer string  instrument  like a cbg .  plus  most will agree,  it looks better aligned more that way . . 

we  should  never feel  discouraged in answering or replying if we believe we can help.   Even  if we are wrong  and   corrected  , we all learn and benefit from it .   ;-)

you were not wrong   , or corrected   ;-)  infact   i just elaborated on what you said . ;-)

Permalink Reply by Andy Mitchell on October 16, 2017 at 12:04pm

Hi Joe, how's it going?  The exact placement of the poles under the strings is not really necessary.  The magnetic field emitted from each pole is wide enough to encompass the string's vibration.  Saying that, the last two string chugger I built, I used a three pole pickup set at an angle, like Gary suggested.  I did this more as an exercise than anything else.  This way the the two outer poles are under the strings.  As I say, it not strictly necessary.  These are CBGs. not six stringers coming out of the Fender Custom Shop.   You could also try hotrail style pickups: lipstick tube pickups, single rail single coil pickups and mini-humbuckers are examples.  With these pickups, there are no pole pieces just rails.  I particularly like the lipstick tube single coll pick for the bright jangly tone and the mini-humbucker for the darker Bluesy sound: C.B.Gitty "Lipstick Tube Pickup" demo by Shane Speal and Demo - C. B. GITTY "Snake Oil Pickup" - clean amp w/reverb and tremolo. The build I'm currently making is a three string fretless.  That'll be fitted with a P90 single coil with six pole pieces.  I'm not worried about the string placement.  It'll scream: 3-string P90 cigar box guitar.  I hope this is helpful, good luck with the build and have fun.