HOW TO: Set Pickup Height for Fender Offset Guitars Jazzmaster, Jaguar, Bass VI

[@eddieh311]

DUDE. I was trying to set up my jaguar and my low E string sounded terrible. I googled "tinny E string" (cause idk how else to describe it) nothing came up in any forums. Im just now realizing it was magnet pull!! Lowered the pick up and instantly fixed. My mind is blown. Thank you SO much

[@guitardreamgirl9312]

So godamn happy he talked about shoegaze, I never hear guitar channels even include shoegaze and a guitar style ever. This is why I love mike...

[@VioletPrism]

I love shoegaze so much I just bought this guitar just to play it :) going to get a Jazzmaster next I love them both!

[@jralanmorgan]

Seems like almost all the offset channels mention it. That could be because I'm not super familiar with the music so the term sticks out to me.

[@toomuchfuture8561]

Mike Bloody Valentine.

[@golosa009]

Hahaha

[@nor___nor]

When You See

[@nor___nor]

Solving the problem about the height of Jazzmaster pickup saves the world! Jazzmasters are also popular in Japan. Many young people in Japan, including me, think that Jazzmasters are major guitars than Stratocasters. I just think there's a problem with this, and the The guitars are more difficult to maintain the setting that you like than any other major guitars. I hope your efforts reach all the Jazzmaster players! (However, Jazzmasters sometimes give us good music even with obviously strange settings, so they are still good instruments.)

[@bobmurphy3061]

Hi Mike It’s my understanding that fenders pick up height is measured with the string fretted at the last fret. I could be wrong, but I got this info from a document from fenders webpage entitled “what are factory set up specs”. I really enjoy your channel. I got my first jazzmaster 6 months ago and really enjoy your contest.

[@rivulus]

I was just about to post the same thing. Defining it that way takes action variations out of the equation and prevents the strings actually hitting the pickups when fretting high... still makes factory specs a starting point, so great video

[@Puisheen]

So I just checked and it does say that, but I also just looked at how much of a difference that makes when starting with the bridge pickup and pressing the string down doesn't even move it to a measurable degree. At the neck, yeah, pretty big difference, but I don't think this would actually change my method

[@bobmurphy3061]

Thanks for the follow up. Please keep the great content coming!

[@marcohermans3207]

Thanks for the info, very clear. I checked the fender website and it stated : Pickup height is measured from the pole piece to the bottom of the string on the bass and treble sides with the last fret depressed. Then you get different readings IMHO then when you measure it without depressing. I always use their factory specs as a starting point and go from there what the customer wants. I love your videos, thanks !!

[@jackgreenwood1817]

Couldn't agree more about using your ear to set things up, that's the only way to be truly happy with it. Just installed a Staytrem bridge to a Jaguar and intonated it by ear, checked it to a strobe and only the D string was a tiny bit sharp, impressed myself! :) Thanks again Mike x

[@goldwold]

I agree with you too. I plug in go through all of the pickup selections and just listen. Im always listening for a good mix when both pickups are on.

[@danfrancisjr]

☑ happy ☑ healthy ☑ safe ☑ ready for another video

[@alastairsmith3432]

More Bass VI content please. Thoroughly loved the playing at the end.

[@Puisheen]

Coming!

[@bradruhfel4883]

agreed

[@LincolnSward]

When? @@Puisheen

[@flyingmissles]

a great guitar tech that knows what shoegaze is... subbed

[@Studio22mix]

Great video, I’m fixing a Jazzmaster for someone and found some interesting mods and info about them. It felt to me that the bridge was somewhat faulty designed but then learned it brings a character to the sound. So definitely not going to replace it. At first I found it a bit of a weird guitar but after digging into it I started to really like it. The Jazzmaster is definitely a beast in its own 😊

[@dorianford6227]

So I just got the shoegaze pickup height on my American Original 60s Jazzmaster and it is INCREDIBLE. I had some serious ice pick(1 Meg) issues and it’s now completely gone. I also have more wiggle room with gain pedals I now do not have to dial out or worry about keeping my treble in line. I was worried I wouldn’t cut but now I cut in a supportive way and not a pokey” hey look at me” way. Also the Glide technique is a lot smoother now because of this

[@robertbrown633]

I had been trying to compensate for magnet pull by lowering the pickups on my Jaguar as far as they can go, and *still* hearing the dissonance from the multiple vibrational nodes on the Low E string (especially when fretted further up the neck). It seemed like a design flaw to me, and I just plain do not like the sound. Picked it up for the first time in years and hated it all over again. I'm glad to see some validation of the phenomenon as you presented it. Nice to know I'm not crazy!!

[@1davejsutdave1]

It's so true btw how every pickup is different. Lace Sensors for instance you can creep so far up whereas some other needs more space for it's sweet spot. Overall like your channel shows, not being afraid to experiment is important. Anything you adjust on a guitar you can adjust back and people need remember that. That being said I'm still irrationally afraid of truss rod adjustments lol.

[@streck0486]

Good thing I watched this! I had some trouble with my bass. The E string was too loud and the G string just didn't sound clean. Turns out that the bridge pick up was completely loose. After playing around a bit with the pick up height, everything sounded much better. The upsetting part is that the bass came back like this a year ago from a set up in a local guitar shop. Being too much of a beginner (and too much of a chicken...) I didn't complain. Certainly never bringing any guitar to that shop again...

[@sjoerdknol]

I was under the impression you’re supposed to measure pickup height when fretting your last fret. Doing so would result in perfect height with the Fenders pickup height recommendations. They would actually be pretty close to your non-fretted height I guess. Not sure where I’ve picked this information up but I’ve been doing it like this for 10 years. And I’m pretty sure that’s what Fender does as well.

[@AndreaAustoni]

You're right, fretting at the last fret is what Fender says

[@ebanizalex]

I just set up my pickup height using the fender website. Then i watched this video and I felt like a lunatic… until people started pointy out the same thing, that mike’s not fretting the last fret. Either way I’m surprised how close the 2 methods are. I guess it doesn’t matter as long as you have a system.

[@shawnogrady7154]

Seymour Duncan also specifies to fret at the last fret.

[@robyndaigneault5390]

came for the jazzmaster setup vids and "Leif" from Midnight Burger vibes, and am staying for the DS9 shirt, dude keeps getting cooler

[@newcastle6666]

You are supposed to depress the strings at the last frets when measuring pickup height according to Fender manuals

[@dustinboudreau1332]

Was coming here to say the same thing. I'd be interested to see where he's at if he presses the last fret while measuring.

[@district01radio]

Your family died in a car crash im sorry string

[@LPManic]

Mike. Hope you're good. Thanks for this video! Really helped me this weekend

[@redchapterjubilee]

I'm so stoked to see someone else play glide guitar like I do by putting the bar beneath your forearm. I'm not coordinated enough to do it holding the bar in my fingers. Yay for someone else doing it wrong/right!

[@royalblue2229]

I do it holding the bar in my pinky lol

[@TurqoiseHexagonSun]

After countless attempts at using the mustang trem bar in my hand/fingers/pinky.. I too play with the bar under my forearm/wrist! i feel a lot more control over the glide, and maybe its because i'm not trying to make my hand do two different jobs at the same time. It seems so much easier to let my hand strum and just dip my arm down a little bit for the glide. Needless to say, I've been learning a lot of MBV and Drop Nineteens since then lol

[@scottworsham]

The lowered pickups sound pretty great.

[@greymurdock2]

You are the jazzmaster king

[@obahrey5197]

I lowered my Strat's pickups after this video. I never realized that I had so much magnet pull going on!

[@JoelGilardini]

Thanks for sharing! I was just resetting the pickup height on my JM yesterday evening. As my taste goes, I like to have both pu quite high, to be as loud as possible (but not as much to avoid pulling), and the bridge pickup is normally set to be a little bit more loud and bity than the neck pu.

[@GiantPinhead]

Great job, Mike. I know it's an older video, but I rewarched it again before taking apoart my VM Bass Vi yet again. Thx!

[@AaronEdmiston]

Using the power loader as the camera stand might be one of the greatest things I've ever seen in a KZbin video 😂

[@Puisheen]

It genuinely works great. I love that little thing

[@Unkempt_Whizard]

Stuffing the pinch hitter and getting the coffee ready. Let's learn baby.

[@AlexG-ok1zc]

Never had heard of the shoegaze set up, loved it and the playing was cool af!

[@Josepllop87]

good sir you are my shepherd, i've watching all your videos to learn. Im from Peru i just bought a American Performer Mustang brand new... i sent it to a luthier but over here nobody knows how to set it up properly ... i tune it to E standar and a few momentos later is out of tune!. I would be amazing if you can do a "on bench" episode of one of this guitars. I was thinking to lock de trem system because this is a pain in the ass. Amazing video as always!

[@caiquedesouza7544]

Ooouuuu god. I searched for this topick days ago in your chanel and here it is. Thks mike for reading my mind.

[@SarahEHowson]

DUDE YOU HAVE 6600 SUBS NOW Also, thanks for this video, it needs to be on every website.

[@archeryandstuffwithstevela3423]

I’m a big fan of lower pickup heights, just sounds sweeter to me. If I’m doing a set up, I always leave the intonation adjustment until after I’ve settled on my pickup heights, I believe that magnetic pull can have an effect on intonations as well. Even when the pull isn’t as obvious as in your demonstration. Great channel! Love your work!

[@oscarcontreras9593]

I was wondering myself this.

[@JulianA-tr6pt]

I usually set the about 2mm from the string (pressed at highest fret) then adjust to taste from there - so slightly lower low E neck pick-up and high e bridge usually. Have a couple of those thick gravity picks in 2mm, comes in handy!

[@gabeandhasina]

Perfect timing on this. Just picked up a new (old) Jazzmaster a few weeks ago and the bridge pickup is ear-piercingly bright. It’s unusable. Now I’m thinking a pickup height adjustment might do the trick.

[@nelliejones1]

I absolutely effing LOVE the Alien movies!!!!! I WISH I had a powerloader! Also awesome video. Thank you!

[@DPHC13]

at 3:20 you became my kind of nerd! awesome.

[@Hopkins132]

One thing about the Shoegaze demo, is that the first one was played into the middle pickups, the second one was bridge. I think that has more to do with it.

[@NicholasGreenwood]

Dammit Mike, I've finally got the offset bug. I have major plans to purchase a new Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster soon. Into the rabbit hole we gooooooooo.......

[@danielcollins4009]

Thank you. i look forward to these all week. informative, and relevant.

[@michaelcross934]

Thanks for this vid - I've been curious on how you do this! Timely! Cheers, Mike

[@PipkinXIV]

This is a pretty cool video. If anyone else owns a jazzmaster and you're looking for advice, it's worth considering what your pickups are. That's really the most important thing, to me. The reproduction pickups are pretty loud, much louder than 60s pickups, and that goes a long way in understanding what heights you want. It's also worth considering which bridge you have. I've tried the originals, the mastery, and adjust-o-matic, and they each hold the strings differently enough that I adjusted the heights *a lot* switching between them. I've come to actually prefer the adjust-o-matic because the 1st and 6th strings are pretty high. I play with a lot of distortion pretty often, too. That influences my opinion a lot. Also, loved hearing about the foam, I had no idea about that.

[@triniep82]

Mate mate mate mate! TY for this!

[@TheChadPad]

It all depends on your pickups' strength. Hotter pickups need to be set lower, or they'll sound too muddy. There's no escape from doing it by ear!

[@72fetter]

"Flush with metrics" is my new math rock band name.

[@christopherfettes390]

Do it!

[@interludeschannnel]

Ah! that magenta filter, so loveless!

[@somnaut]

If i could subscribe twice to your channel i would. I’m not even a guitarist & i’m glued to these videos 😂 nice work! Also dig your Trek shirts

[@thesurfjunkies]

Nicely done Mike and good call touching on balancing levels from guitar to guitar.

[@jacobbenitez4562]

Another reason to be hyped for Fridays. Is a Bass VI really a Bass VI if it’s not being played with a bit of reverb and modulation?

[@nothingandmore]

@Puisheen, any chance you could add metric figures in future videos pretty please?

[@telecasteroil]

Mike this was great , using your ears is the measurement!

[@bromporke]

You’re an offset legend

[@jralanmorgan]

Thanks Mike, I've been needing this info.

[@rupertgregory6416]

Hi Mike- Firstly, I've got to say- I LOVE your videos & your enthusiasm is contagious :-). AT LAST I've found a great channel dedicated to off-sets- my 'weapon of choice'. I don't want to over-do the compliments in-case you think I'm a weirdo, but I also love the way you play. OK- that's the primer, as I have a couple of questions for you after watching this video (yes- OCD has driven me to despair on occasion too- up a bit- down a bit- no- down a bit more- until I'm probably hearing differences that aren't there, or I realise my tubes need replacing!). Anyway: What's confusing me is- all the Fender spec's I've read have said to check the pickup height with the string fretted at the last fret & for the life of me- I can't see you doing that in this video. You obviously 'know your onions' though- so- what's the deal?- am I losing the plot here?. The 2nd thing is more of a 'related' question: What are your thoughts on the Johnny Marr Jaguar?. I managed to get one at a great price, as the previous owner just wasn't a Jaguar guy (I am- more so than Jazzmasters to be honest) & own several examples. I realise the Marr 'Bare Knuckle' pickups are apparently wound to Marr's preference (ie: underwound), but I find them IMPOSSIBLE to balance. The back pickup is clear & kind of 'snappy', but the neck pickup seems to be REALLY low in output. Even more bizarrely- when I think I may have actually got them kind of even (bridge pickup lower), the A string on the neck pickup is noticeably quieter than the other strings. Yes- I know how crazy that sounds- it's been in to my local luthier's for a health check in the past & apparently the pickup outputs are within spec. In a nutshell: Do you have any thoughts on the Marr model?. I keep reading articles praising it to the Heavens, but I'm finding it kinda hard to love. Sorry for this 'epic' message & keep up the good work ::-) Rob

[@Puisheen]

First question: With offsets set up properly, pressing the string down doesn't even make a measurable difference as far as the bridge pickup is concerned, which is where I always start with my own guitars. After I put this video out I got a ton of comments about it, so I double-checked and yeah, the string barely changes. Generally I like the Marr, especially the ones in limited colors. While I love Bareknuckle, that particular set isn't my favorite for Jags. I'll also admit that while I have really positive feelings about the model, I don't know that I'd specifically pick one out of the many options out there

[@rupertgregory6416]

@@Puisheen Ah- I see- good point. I didn't realise you'd been bombarded with the same question- 'I'm new round these parts' as they say. Sorry about that.

[@Puisheen]

@@rupertgregory6416 Oh no worries at all! Happy to answer!

[@jordan2833]

Wow I really want a Bass VI... i feel like they’re such overlooked guitars! They’re like a Jag or Jazzmaster’s cool Goth cousin

[@Puisheen]

Loooooove a good VI honestly, just delightful instruments

[@oknoelle777]

have to return to this video after my little troublemaking noisemaker acts up every three months

[@scarcam]

The bridge pickup with overdrive reminds me of "Gone up in flames" by Morning Runner

[@Unkempt_Whizard]

22:25 , this segment has been brought to you by pedal partners and viewers like you. Thank you

[@Unkempt_Whizard]

@fuzzingawesomepedals sure

[@Unkempt_Whizard]

@fuzzingawesomepedals fuck yeah that a good cover, love your roland jcs in the myth video too.

[@Unkempt_Whizard]

@fuzzingawesomepedals wow and here I am feeling sorry for myself because I have two kids and can barely find time to play My Guitar. You guys must be time Lords or something!

[@Puisheen]

Oh yeah, that channel is great!

[@Labyrinth1010]

Helpful as always! So nice to hear you play your VI. One question about: where did you get the upgraded spring for it? Haven’t had much luck finding one.

[@Puisheen]

Darren Riley and Angela seemed to have had them at some point, but I also can't find them anymore! I'm at a loss

[@nicholasg923]

Interesting & informative Mike as ever, loved the shoe gaze sounds. Fender manuals I've seen on the Fender Customer Care website mention measuring pickup height whilst depressing the string at the highest fret. Treble E 1/16" Bass E 3/32" Jag & JM pickup screws clockwise to lower the pu, counter clockwise to raise the pu. The Jag claws should have the shorter claws lined up on the low E & A

[@nicholasg923]

OK. You've answered that stuff about fretting, maybe the strat & tele guys without neck tilt can use those specs. With the help of your vids I'm looking forward to modding/upgrading & setting up my Squier VM jag (olympic white & red tort) with Staytrem stuff, Fender tremelo & AV 65 pickups, Stew Mac shim, 11s & bone nut. Phew!

[@nicholasg923]

So I'm probably wrong about the claws. Mike, only you can solve this... Jag's claws, which way round? You must solve this, Leo was far to ill & his doctor was pumping him full of nonsense . Go to it.

[@andrewtesta3850]

Great video mike, any chance you can tell us what pedals you’re using for that shoegaze sound? Sounds amazing

[@chidorirasenganz]

I recommend the toneblender for fuzzy distorted bits and a gated reverse reverb for reverby songs like to here knows when

[@Haze763]

Man Mike, that Bass VI sounds killer!!!!!

[@emmalurock]

Bass VI lover here ✌🏻

[@TheDeedeeFiles]

Amazing guitar man

[@DannyCruzCreations]

You got me thinking about a bass VI again.

[@dorianford6227]

Pull the trigger I love mine.

[@chickenbonenowison]

Have you any videos on adjusting action? There are other vids on KZbin I just think your videos are cool. Keep it up 💪

[@rivulus]

This sent me down the shoegaze rabbithole for the rest of the evening. Fun stuff.

[@stratmatt22]

pretty sure the pickup height is supposed to be measured with the highest fret pressed down

[@Wolfcatfilms]

Has he done a video showing how to setup a Jazzmaster vibrato? Like adjust tension and set up the lock

[@mastermachetier5594]

I found the Novak method has been really useful to me. Where you get a tiny amp like a smoky amp and then lower the pickups until you no longer hear oscillation in then amp

[@Puisheen]

I hate those things, that would not work for me at all

[@mastermachetier5594]

@@Puisheen haha I was skeptical at first haha, but hey like you say its all personal on pickups. :)

[@markharmon9892]

Fender do say you should press the string down at the last fret then measure E & e from the top of the pole to the bottom of the string. I bet if you did this your measurement would be pretty close to the Fender height.

[@juan2thepaab]

when setting the heights to fender recommendations are you fretting the string at the last fret? if not, you're probably setting them higher than what they recommend

[@michaelkemp5408]

The Loveless filter killed me 😂 when’s the next video? The endless blues licks on guitar KZbin are too much- I came here for the jams more than the advice!

[@noisessential]

Mike can you teach us how to adjust the neck of one CV Jaguar ? The distance between the strings and the neck, also the adjust of the bridge due your recommendations

[@ZachariahConnor]

The Jazzmaster Daddy

[@danfrancisjr]

Mike, if I may ask you a question here: how do you feel about Fender VMod Jazzmaster pickups?

[@Puisheen]

They're some of the most disappointing pickups I've ever used

[@danfrancisjr]

@@Puisheen LOL

[@JustinDirrenberger]

Great and informative video as always, thanks! Love that Bass VI! You were recently mentioned by 60 Cycle Hum on the JHS Pedals channel... expecting a surge in views and subs! Could you make a video about string gauge for Jazzmaster? 10 vs. 11 vs. 12, I'd like your opinion!

[@Puisheen]

I use 11-50 on Jazzmaster, 12s or 13s on Jags! Thanks for watching!

[@myyt4382]

Hi Mike, that was an interesting note re bass vi - with that what would you recommend for jaguars? Sounds will be a bit different or lower than jazzmaster?

[@johnnydiamondsmusic1673]

My Bass Vi top e is dull and I’ve noticed pick up way too close. Now I know what causes it. Thanks

[@Thecariboumoose10]

Hey mike great channel. Your jazzmaster set up video helped me fall in love with a squier vintage modified jazzmaster . I wanted to see what your thoughts were on the Duncan design pickups these came with. Also if you have preferred pick up height measurements for these sweet affordable jazzys;)

[@RollingMoose]

Love the shirt bro

[@mikemcsween1847]

Cheers for these bench vids! Just swapped stock pups on a Paranormal XII for some Curtis Novak. Can’t seem to manage keeping the pole piece neatly throw the cover while trying to maneuver the springs and screws into place. Result is pole pieces are misaligned with cover holes when screwed in. Any advice? Thx!

[@Impractical_Engineer]

The best playing setups for me are usually not measured. The guitar will tell you based on how you play and pickups are no different.

[@jasonanderson8966]

Mike...is that a LA Vice Blues Jr. I see behind you? I have a '18 Original 60s JM I play through through the same amp! I love it! Thanks for the video.

[@dieterfeldkamp1522]

That shoegaze anecdote is precious

[@JustinWoo]

Fantastic video, man. Thank you for reminding me that all of this is subjective and that it's important to listen to my ears. Question - what do you do to your Jazzmaster and Bass VI that they stay so perfectly in tune even when you're going wild with the trem? My JM and BVI fly out of tune if I even *think* about using the trem! Is it about nut dressing and lubrication, having an AVRI trem? Both? Something else? Thanks again for the great video!

[@MoncoField]

Ive watched his other videos on how to set up a Jazzmaster his way, and i followed basically everything he does to his Jazzmasters. Which is he swaps the bridge for a "Mastery" bridge (made a huge difference by the way), also swaps the vibrato arm for a "Mastery" version, uses 11 gauge strings, and puts a tiny amount of chap stick on the bridge where each string sits in places so it stays lubricated. After following all these tips, i can confidently tell you that my Jazzmaster NEVER goes out of tune, no matter how abusive i am on the tremolo or whatever crazy tuning i have it in. It still blows me away every time i play it. I can push the whammy bar all the way down and up aggressively, even lift the guitar up while holding just the whammy bar, and it still stays in tune lol. So yeah, when people try to say the Mastery bridges aren't worth the money, they're full of crap lol.

[@jasongirard813]

Howdy Mike! I’m new to Jazzmasters and I am hooked! I recently picked up a Squier J Masics Jazzmaster. I’ve been watching all of your offset videos as primers. Thank you for your robust videos! Can you comment on the pickups that are in the J Masics? Do these sound like real Jazzmaster pickups? Should I swap them out? And, do you have recommendation pickup heights for this model (I had trouble following all of your pickup height changes). Lastly, should this neck be shimmed? I’ve read that this model really doesn’t require the extra break angle. Thank you in advance!

[@danielallen2510]

They’re more P90 than traditional JMs. But I wouldn’t switch them. I think they sound awesome - most people do. In fact a buddy of mine swapped. Changed his mind and put the P90’s BACK in. If ain’t broke, right? I think you’re good! People love that JMJM for good reason. Incredible value. Great first JM.

[@eyemack]

Pretty sure the factory spec height - 5/64" B 4/64" T - is with the string fretted at last fret.

[@SIXX2772]

Oh I had to sub.....besides being on point you crack me up lol!

[@raavenstark5905]

What's your pedalboard ? Sounds great !

[@72fetter]

Now all the alien front loaders are gunna be $400 on reverb because of this video.

[@Puisheen]

Better buy a spare just in case lol

[@soyburglar77]

I never fail to smile involuntarily anytime you refer to that guitar as “Pancake”. I mean, I realize that that is its name, but it’s just so darned unique and specific. It’s perfect. Like pancakes. Settled on a name for the mando?

[@Puisheen]

My buddy Paul Frank basically named it with the strap he sent me, and I wouldn't have it any other way! Mando is Grogu!

[@soyburglar77]

Perfect. And as always, an amazing story.

[@jasongirard813]

I’ve named my J Masics Jazzmaster “Cupcake” after watching your videos and installing cupcake volume/tone knobs!

[@jhowellkc]

Yo Mike! What gauge strings were on Artoo in this video? 11s? 12s?

[@Murgsmusic]

That shirt is dope!

[@dantheface2986]

I fucking love this channel keep up the great work

[@naughtscribe]

Deep Space 9. Fantastic.

[@asyouwalk2847]

What fuzz pedal are you using? Sounds pretty good.

[@Puisheen]

Keeley Loomer!

[@LernikHank]

dumb question , will rising the bridge pickup height to get more "cut thought " solos affect intonation in any way ?

[@1davejsutdave1]

Mike what height do you keep your beard? lol

[@johncourage9424]

Dearest Wise One, where is the source for good pickup foam? Im always searching for the perfect stuff- taller than what Fender ships for that JM bridge height. I'd love to buy it on its own! Thanks again, always great stuff!

[@Puisheen]

Fender's foam is great, so is Lollar

[@claudeIsbell]

For me it's not just sound. I went to try one of the new Squier Jazzmasters at a shop, and the pickups were so high I couldn't fingerpick without rubbing up against the pickups.