Pickup Height on Gibson ES-175

**chemiorro** · 01-10-2015, 04:02 AM

**chemiorro** · 01-10-2015, 04:04 AM

Hi,

so is there any classic humbuckers spot or you need to trust your ears or luthier?

Cheers.

**Para** · 01-10-2015, 05:59 AM

Any measurment is purely a starting point then it becomes a matter of what you prefer sound wise ,a luthiers ears are no use to you whatsoever unless you are deaf lol.

**LukeReinhart** · 03-15-2019, 05:37 AM

I've just got a 1960 ES-175 which has had most of the parts replaced, so is very much a player grade guitar, which suits me fine.

As it stands, it sounds very good (to me), but there are a couple of things that I'd like to try changing, and if anybody can give me any advice I'd appreciate it.

I'm mainly planning to use the neck pickup, but the pickups are very low (far away from the strings). I got my screwdriver out, and found that though I could raise the neck pickup, at maximum height, it is still a lot further from the strings than on my other guitars. Does anybody with a 175 have any suggestions as to what would be normal? On my main guitar it sounds good, but is likely to feed back sooner at volume than if I could get more level by getting the pickup nearer to the strings.

The other thing that I will change is the strings. It currently has standard 10 to 56 strings, but I'd probably go for a heavier guage, though I'm not sure whether to go wound or flats. I'll probably have to experiment.

Does anybody have any suggestions - or links to old threads - about either of these things? I'm probably more after a classic 50's sort of sound, like say Kenny Burrell on the Midnight Blue album ,though I'm not sure what he was actually playing, but I'm more into a straight into a clean amp with a bit of reverb.

Thanks for any suggestions or links!

**skiboyny** · 03-15-2019, 08:50 AM

If you like the sound why do you want to raise them? The lower pickup tends to give a open sound more woody with lower output. I favor them that way but we are all different. If you want them higher than they are now, and they are at the end of their travel, you can replace the pickup ring to a taller one.

Strings are pretty personal. 10 seems light for the high e. 12-54 would be more "standard"

**joe2758** · 03-15-2019, 08:57 AM

I did this and have been super happy with it
Demonstration of the Herb Ellis method of neck pickup pole adjustment

strings should be at least 12 unless you have a physical or musical (ultra legato playing) reason imo. I use 14 and I think I want an even fatter high E!

**LukeReinhart** · 03-15-2019, 09:11 AM

Thanks, I'll try heavier strings, probably flatwound. It sounds good with skinny strings and low pickup height, but the pickup is so low even at the highest setting, that the output level is very low. So I'd like to find a way to get the pickup nearer the strings, even if I end up choosing to lower it again.

I'll look for pickup spacers that are bigger, and will look at the Herb Ellis video when I get home tonight.

I'm surprised how good it sounds with 10-56 strings and low action, so am fairly confident it can get even better!

**deacon Mark** · 03-15-2019, 09:11 AM

A picture is worth a thousand words so that might help in what is going on. Should be able to get in the range of pickup height. I would suggest try a set of roundwound, .12-52 and then try a set of flatwound .12-.52. You need a 12 on the high E and depending on the guitar .52 to .54 would probably work. Just get the .10's off that is a no go for sure. What kind of pichup is in the guitar now since they are changed?

**LukeReinhart** · 03-15-2019, 09:24 AM

Thanks, I'll try and post a picture when I get home then, and will get some .12-.52 or .54 strings in!

The pickups are apparently 'Bloodstone' replacements. Never heard of them before TBH. Full details and pics are online from a UK dealer - though I didn't buy from there, I bought privately from somebody who got this and then sold it on again. The link is here:

1960 (Early) Gibson ES-175 D + OHSC - ATB Guitars

If you go there and then go to the 'Gallery' tab, there are quite a few pics, including some where you can see the pickup height quite clearly.

**deacon Mark** · 03-15-2019, 10:44 AM

The pictures show pup and it should come up higher. Is the adjustment screw need to be longer or maybe get different pups.

**Tal_175** · 03-15-2019, 10:51 AM

If pickups do not go high enough, that probably means previous owner installed longer pickup springs to minimize rattle. You can remove the pickups and cut the springs shorter if you're sure you'd like them higher.

**skiboyny** · 03-15-2019, 12:07 PM

This is a good thought possibly the length of the screws. Longer screws will give the pickup more travel if the springs aren't all the way compressed, but there is only so much pickup.

**LukeReinhart** · 03-15-2019, 01:27 PM

Thanks, I'm going to get a local luthier to check it over and do whatever needs doing and set up with heavier flatwounds.

I could maybe do it myself, but I'd rather get it done properly. Looking forward to playing it after the changes!

**tfling** · 06-21-2019, 11:07 PM

I just recently got a great playing ES-175 (single pickup) clone that I installed a Duncan Antiquity in.

I haven't had any guitars with dogear P90s before and am looking for suggestions on height.
i know it’s a matter of taste, but am looking for a starting point, as it takes a bit of effort to remove the pickup, add a shin, re-install, etc
Can anyone with a single p90 guitar post some recommendations

many thanks!

**neatomic** · 06-21-2019, 11:24 PM

ok..p-90's use screw pole pieces and bar magnets under the bobbin...so the trick is to get the entire pickup at your optimum spot and fine tune your individual string volume with the pole piece screws

but pickup adjustments are totally dependent on type of string you use...action...and a host of other factors

a guitar tone is the sum of so many parts..no quick fixes..there is no universal magic ideal measurement...

not bashin', but true...

luck

cheers

**Chazmo** · 06-22-2019, 01:12 AM

3/32" from top of pickup pole to bottom of E strings held down at last fret is a great starting point for both P90s and humbuckers. If the P90 is way out of whack, you may have to reshim, but set the polepieces at that height first and give it a try. It might be just fine. Worked a charm on my Godin Kingpin.

**Jabberwocky** · 06-22-2019, 07:15 AM

I have kept the height of the dogearred P90s as they came from Gibson. Never measured them but Chazmo's 3/64th" sounds about right. I have a 2006 ES-175SP P90.

**Encinitastubes** · 06-22-2019, 10:27 PM

I have a 2006 ES-175 with P-90s that has been the perfect guitar. A few years ago, I came across a deal on another and I was surprised that it did not include the ring to get the pickup closer to the string. The guy who does my guitar work ordered one and I think sanded it to match my other one. I'm away from home right now, but when I get back I'd be happy to measure.

**Jabberwocky** · 06-23-2019, 07:23 AM

Jason Lollar sells dogear P90 shims, if anyone is looking for them.

Shim Pack for Dogear: Lollar Pickups

**Marty Grass** · 06-23-2019, 08:49 AM

I found the shim pack very helpful. To get that pack I talked to Jason Lollar, and he was generous with his time and advice.

**mad dog** · 06-23-2019, 10:36 AM

In my experience, it is as neatomic says. The whole pickup has to get pretty close to the strings. I shim up to taste, keep the polepieces nearly flush.

You can try different heights on the polepieces, see what works for you. As fine tuning, yes. If the pickup is too low, raising the polepieces won't do it. Does not have the same affect are raising the whole p/u.
MD

**arnie65** · 06-21-2020, 06:47 PM

One thing a lot of people miss, is that if your pickups have Alnico II, they will set up a bit different than the ones with Alnico V. The Alnico II pickups (like most the earlier PAF's) can be set up a little bit closer to the strings than the Alnico V's, due to their weaker magnetic pull without interrupting sustain etc. The Alnico V pickups have a stronger magnet that will interrupt sustain if set too close. I recently purchased a Gibson ES-Les Paul ( A Les Paul/335 hybrid) that brought an Alnico III pickup in the neck and II in the bridge. I was able to set the neck a little bit closer than I used to, because it has the weakest magnetic pull of all Alnico pickups. I didn't set out to do that, but while listening for the "sweet spot", it turned out like that...

Cheers,
Arnie..

**rolijen** · 06-21-2020, 08:06 PM

Home - EZ Guitar Tech

Lots of great advice in this thread. Whenever, questions like pickup height come up, I share the above link. As a reference for those of us who don’t do setups for a living. This resource lists some basic starting points to get me in the zone (for neck relief, action, and pickup height). I tweak from there. Hopefully someone will find it as useful as I do.

**GNAPPI** · 06-22-2020, 12:14 AM

Boy, dual pickup tone quest problems. :-)

Balancing the two pups in the middle or bridge position is always (IME) an issue, the simplest thing to do (after you found the right height settings) is throttle the neck pup volume down a bit. This works for me if I use the neck pup then switch to the bridge pup alone, which is very rare. But in the middle position (which I use quite a bit) I have to keep the neck full up and the bridge actually down to as low as 7 and diddle with its tone a bit down too. The two pup tone can be the sweetest sounds you'll never hear with the neck alone if you get the settings right.

These problems are just a fact of life unless you put a hotter / higher gain pup in the bridge spot. But that's a double edge sword, First finding one that you like, second balancing them the opposite way if the neck is much weaker output than the new bridge pup.

**JCat** · 06-22-2020, 03:26 AM

If you plan to use Classic 57s for Jazz I recommend 500k volume pots. I couldn't get a decent Jazz tone from them when paired with 300k pots.

Gibson used 300k pots in about every guitar for several decades starting in the Norlin era. (Note that pickups from this period are different than the classic 57). About the time for the introduction of the Classic 57 (a PAF replica) the custom shop went back to the original 500k pots for the Historic series. But Gibson USA continued with 300k pots for many years, so most guitars out there that came stock with Classic 57s are paired with 300k pots. Many archtops and semis also got 300k pots that load the pickups, cut highs, lack definition and articulation. If you keep the volume pot on 10 trying to restore treble, tone gets harsh.