Quick question about mag pickups

Posted by Mike Whisenhunt on July 22, 2011 at 9:55pm

Putting my first mag pickup in my latest build (waiting on it to ship from gitty, actually) and my question is this: My guitar has 3 strings, the pickup has 6 magnets...for symmetry's sake how do I position this to keep it aesthetically pleasing? Does it absolutely HAVE to be aligned string-magnet? If I have to center the unit can I put a cover on it and it still work alright? I don't have any exp with them and just need to know..

 

Thanks,

 

Mikey

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Replies

  • Mark November 22, 2011 at 8:13pm
    Yep, mag pickups can work perfectly fine when the pole pieces don't line up exactly with the strings.

    With a 6-pole pickup positioned symmetrically on a three-stringer then the middle string will align with the gap between the middle two pole pieces. Obviously the spacings of the strings and pole pieces will then determine how the other two strings align. An additional option, if you want to tweak things a little, is that you could consider setting the pickup at an angle like the bridge pickup on a Telecaster or a Strat.
  • Fred Railsback November 22, 2011 at 6:45pm

    I haven't tried this myself yet, but everything I read on the question says just mount the thing and don't worry about it.  On the other hand, you can mount the pickup at an angle so as to better line up the poles with the strings.  I think I would go the second way.

  • Steve Murphy July 23, 2011 at 5:51pm
    I was wondering the same thing. I have a few sitting around here. Was wondering if would work as is, if needed special position, or best to just get a hand made 3 pole pick up?
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