Epiphone SG - setup

[Cringer]

Ok something non-Avalon related I'm afraid. But at least it's guitar related. I recently bought an Epiphone SG. It's not a bad piece of kit for the price. But I'm concerned it's not set up correctly. I've noticed that the sound from the top 4 strings is a lot stronger than from the bottom 2.

I understand that this may well have to do with the heights of the strings over the pickup etc and was wondering if anyone knew of a guide for this sort of thing that I could use to fiddle with the settings. I'd rather not take it into Dawsons cos they'll probably charge me the earth for breathing their air

I've currently got it strung with Ernie Ball Nickel Wound 10-46 Regular Slinky.

Any advice would be muchly appreciated

[JB]

Dave is our resident expert on pick-ups, but he's not resident again until next Monday when he'll be back from the USA

[Colin Johnston]

This is something you can easily do yourself and setup by ear.



Get a screwdriver and adjust the height of the pickup by turning the two screws on the black pickup surround. Just a note: the 4 screws in the corners of the surrounds just hold it on & don't affect the pup. DO NOT try adjusting the slot-headed polepieces on the actual pup (the silver coloured bit).

Adjust the height so the theres a balance between the treble & bass strings and so the two pups are equal in volume. Don't adjust them so they are too close to the strings. Experiment and have fun, if you take your time you can't do any harm.

BTW good call on the strings - you can't beat Ernie Ball Regular Slinkys!

[Cringer]

Yeah I'd agree on the strings, particularly when I can get them for about £3.60 a set. Ok so I have to buy them sets of 5 or 10, but I get through them quick...

[Cringer]

Another thing - the height of the bridge is fully adjustable. What will this change? If anything?

[Colin Johnston]

Adjusting the height of the bridge will affect the action - that is the height the strings are off the frets. Assuming that your SG plays well, this has nothing to do with the problem you're talking about.

[Cringer]

Ok tis cool I'll have a fiddle around with the pickups. I assume I need to tweak both as it has two? Or is it best to select one, set it up, then select the other, set it up and hope they sound good together?!

[Colin Johnston]

Why not lower the treble side of both a fraction and see what it sounds like? That'll probably be enough to cure your problem.

[Cringer]

Ok - I'll get my toolkit out tonight Thanks for your help!

[Cringer]

Well it's certainly sounding better through my PC speakers now so thanks for the tips. I keep my amp elsewhere but Sunday morning I will try it out good and proper. Probably take a screw driver with me in case

[Colin Johnston]

Well it's certainly sounding better through my PC speakers now...

eeeugh... PC speakers??
Save your pennies and buy a POD - that's an order!

PC speakers?!

Probably take a screw driver with me in case

Good idea! You should always carry a relevant screwdrivers, allen keys and fuses along with your tuner, picks and spare lead.

Glad it's working out - it's much more satisfying when you "fix" a "problem" by yourself.

[Cringer]

eeeugh... PC speakers??
Save your pennies and buy a POD - that's an order!

I have one. Well not a Pod... Something similar... But it's all tidied away neatly. Oh and I don't have many plug sockets available... It's all a hassle. I just wanted to make sure it was making a difference. As I say, I'll plug it into my Roland on Sunday and give it a final tweak. Should make the main lick I'm working on sound a lot tighter too. Hope so anyway...

[Will T]

DO NOT try adjusting the slot-headed polepieces on the actual pup (the silver coloured bit).

Bit of a late response I know (I've just joined the forum), but why not fiddle with the pole pieces?

Will

[Colin Johnston]

DO NOT try adjusting the slot-headed polepieces on the actual pup (the silver coloured bit).

Bit of a late response I know (I've just joined the forum), but why not fiddle with the pole pieces?

Will

Well there's no reason why not, except a complete newbie might open a can of worms by messing too much with them. Assuming that the guitar has had some kind of setup at the factory or importers and Cringer isn't using some weird-gauge DIY string set (and we know he's using the wonderful EB Slinkys!) then it shouldn't really be necessary to do more than move the enitire pup up or down a bit.