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Location, Location, Location: Positioning Magnetic Pickups

Magnetic pickups, both single-wound and humbucker, are becoming a more and more popular addition to a CBG build. Both are now inexpensive and offer several advantages in terms of tone and absence of unwanted box noise.

Installation is relatively easy: Cut a slot in the neck for the pickup (assuming you aren’t already building stepped neck assemblies), reinforce the cutout slot, cut a hole in the box and you’re good to go.

……….or are you?

Most of us are aware of the significant differences in the tone and volume of a piezo pickup depending on the location and method of mounting. So, is location of a magnetic pickup also important to the sound quality?

Recently, two of your number (Uncle Fred and Tom T) corresponded and collaborated on this question. Using the instant gratification of email and the free-for-all recording software “Audacity” we were both able to perform independent tests and compare results.

The Setup:
Using 3-string CBGs, built to 25" and 25.5” scales and tuned to GDB, we set out to try to determine the position of the pickup along the length of the neck that would provide the cleanest and most balanced sound. Tests were performed with both single-wound and humbucker pickups.

To simplify testing, both guitars were tested with the tops removed. Pickups were secured to the offset neck with rubber bands to allow for quick movement up and down the neck. Tests were performed with pickup positioned down the neck as close to the bridge as possible then moved up the neck in one inch increments to as much as seven inches from the bridge.

The test procedure was to perform single “plucks” of each string at different fret locations using the bare thumb followed by a strum test. Tests were recorded using Audacity so that results could be shared and compared for consistency.

The Results:
As might be expected, locating the pickups close to the bridge subdued the bass notes and produced an amplified, penetrating treble. The strong treble tones produced a sound similar to a typical piezo without any tone control applied.

Moving the pickup toward the neck in one inch increments gradually dampened the treble and amplified the bass. Locating the pickup far up the neck (in the six to seven inch area) produced an overpowering, bass and less intense treble.

The Sweet Spot:
Realizing that the clear, balanced tone lay somewhere between the extremes, we carefully tested, recorded and compared information at each location from one inch north of the bridge to six inches north of the bridge. Sound quality was compared using Audacity files emailed back and forth.

Gradually, the range was narrowed and agreed upon. Both the single-wound pickup and the humbucker produced the most balanced base/treble tone and the cleanest tone when centered approximately 3 ¾” from the bridge.

Conclusion:
Location matters. While tone controls on amplifiers, effects devices or pre-amps might be able to adjust the tone when the pickup is located at a position other than that noted, it was our feeling that starting with the cleanest best balanced tone possible is an advantage allowing more creative use of external tone-modifying devices. So, as with real-estate, it’s all about location.

TomT & Uncle Fred

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bad Finger (Eric) on April 9, 2015 at 2:50pm

Thanks. I have been using the 26th fret position and I'm happy with it, but I am curious to try around 33 based on your descriptive results. 26 is just south of the typical factory single coil neck position, usually at 24.

I am estimating that there is a box graphic right on 33. :-p

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Permalink Reply by Bad Finger (Eric) on April 9, 2015 at 6:01am

I don't have a Strat, but I wonder where the middle pickup is placed?

I like slanting 6 string pickups with the bas side toward the neck on my 5 string guitars. Just enough so the Power poles cross the high and low strings.

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on April 9, 2015 at 6:17am

The middle pup on a Strat is halfway between the neck and bridge pups. >:-E

http://www.seymourduncan.com/forum/showthread.php?281384-Strat-Brid...

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Permalink Reply by Bad Finger (Eric) on April 9, 2015 at 2:43pm

"Power" above should read "outer". Swype-o.

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Permalink Reply by Tom T on April 9, 2015 at 7:50am

Rambling is a good thing......

Keeps me from thinking too much.

I agree that if you are very careful in your design, component selection and construction, it is totally reasonable to expect to be able to build an ultra high quality electric CBG.

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on April 9, 2015 at 8:58am

There's plenty of guitar looks that are dated. Starting with CBGs, and working all the way down through Fenders, Gibson LPs and on to Steinbergs and Gittlers.

Might just as well ask why we keep strumming or picking the damned things...

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on April 9, 2015 at 3:14pm

ON EBAY NOW

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on April 9, 2015 at 3:43pm

that's what it is .

60's sekova grecian

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VERY-RARE-VINTAGE-SEKOVA-GRECIAN-GUITAR-HOL...

these are actually wired in stereo separating the bass strings and bottom strings .

beautiful guitars, but ask anyone that owns them and they will tell you it sounds like shit . they didn't quite master the stereo aspect yet .

as did the later Russian urals and teisco spectrums etc .

the Russian guitar jacks wre like a 5 pin commodore 64 plug lol ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on April 10, 2015 at 6:17pm

"Six little Diddley bows, all in a row..."

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Permalink Reply by Jim Morris on April 30, 2015 at 2:59am

Hmmm... I should have read this a while back! I just put the pickup on where it looks the best. Usually close to the neck since that's where it is on my favorite jazz guitar. I might have to experiment with the next one. Thanks for the info!

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Permalink Reply by Jo Jacobsen on June 11, 2015 at 3:00pm

This is great information. Many thanks to you guys for doing this experiment!

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Permalink Reply by JL on June 16, 2015 at 12:17am

A little googling on Mag PUP placement...

Avoid the harmonic nodes; these are at fret position 12 (1st harmonic), 19 (2nd harmonic), 24 (3rd harmonic), 16 & 28 (4th harmonic). These are the spots where the magpup will not pickup the particular harmonic of the string and you will lose some of the voice of the note. A good reason to run the fret calculator much farther than you plan your fingerboard to actually be.

Of course, when you couple that with finding a good bridge placement at or near the "sweetspot", more of the 'art' than science of this hobby comes out.

<Mr Data, engage lurking mode....make it so>