Posted by BB on October 03, 2001 at 13:47:03:

In Reply to: How close can i put my pickups to the strings--?? posted by Calvin on October 03, 2001 at 13:46:37:

Hi Calvin,
If you raise the pickup close to the strings, be sure that when you play the highest note on each string, E A D G, the string doesn't make contact with the pickup. Also when you pluck or slap the string you may get noise if the string makes contact with the pickup (some slappers like that). I always try to be close enough but not too close that my picking fingers touch the pickup (some players like that too). Beside that specific problem there is no other problem or counter indication (no, it doesn't have anything to do with tuning). Doing so, you will get more level from the pickup (fatter)! It is true that if you were to lower the pickup too much, the sound could get thinner but, you cannot reach that point on a Carvin bass and on most basses in fact. The level of the pickups on the Carvin basses is already pretty loud and on the big Humbucker (HB4 5 and 6) the level is usually too loud!
BB