Help With SD JB Pickup Set Up (Pinch Harmonics)

[nast2112]

Hello gang. Maybe someone can help me with the set up of my Seymour Duncan JB pickup?

I have to REALLY work to get pinch harmonics with it, and if I try to bend after that, the note does not sustain. The pickup sounds good/right otherwise. The pickup is screwed into the wood of the body and is shimmed with wood so that the screws of the pickup are (radiused) around 8/64" from the strings and about 6/64" if fretting the string on the 22nd fret-same as my Wolfgang. There is only the bridge pickup on the guitar so maybe there is the lack of pull of a neck pickup?

Help. And thanks.

Chris

[Rick S]

what kind of amp are you using ?

because i have a jb in my kramer guitar and can easily get pinch harmonics.

but im playing through a 5150 amp.

also theres a certain pinch harmonic pick/hand technique also.

[Majestic]

Not having a neck pickup would only HELP your sustain.

When depressing the 22nd fret, you should be no lower than 3/32, which is where you've got it. I'd probably try 1/8th of an inch (letting the string breathe more), and if that doesn't cut it, then something is either wrong with the pickup, or your technique. Honestly, your settings sound correct to me.

You should be able to get pinch harmonics on an acoustic, so use that as a benchmark.

I've got zero knowledge of your skill level so please don't "read" any negativity into my remarks about the pinch technique.

[the breadman]

Hello gang. Maybe someone can help me with the set up of my Seymour Duncan JB pickup?

I have to REALLY work to get pinch harmonics with it, and if I try to bend after that, the note does not sustain. The pickup sounds good/right otherwise. The pickup is screwed into the wood of the body and is shimmed with wood so that the screws of the pickup are (radiused) around 8/64" from the strings and about 6/64" if fretting the string on the 22nd fret-same as my Wolfgang. There is only the bridge pickup on the guitar so maybe there is the lack of pull of a neck pickup?

Help. And thanks.

Chris

Think your bucker is a little low. Bridge buckers can get up to 1/16" from the strings, neck buckers 3/32". Don't know if it'll help your specific problem, but your sound will get more aggressive.

Here's how I set the Bridge bucker height. I use double screw buckers, but the process is the same for a standard bucker:


-Fret Low E @ highest fret.
-Raise/lower pickup till top of SLUG pole is 1/16" from bottom of string.
-Do same for high E.
-Go back to low E and make sure it's still @ 1/16".
-NOW Radius the screw poles.


If you start with the screw poles first, the slug poles will be farther than 1/16" when you're done.

Solid guitar construction aside, I've found that nothing helps get those liquid, sustaining harmonics more than good ole fashioned power tube distortion.

If that's not an option, maybe a good clean boost like an mxr micro amp or a duncan pickup booster'll do the trick.

[the breadman]

Also, Majestic is right on about the technique angle.

I find that if I don't keep a real tight grip on the string and hit the pinch in just the right spot, the harmonic'll die out pretty quick.

[nast2112]

Thanks for the info so far. I think the pickup needs to get closer to the strings. I can nail pinch harmonics with other guitars (Wolfgang, OLP, etc.,).

Thanks
Chris