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I thought I knew the answer to this and everyone else did too but it seems there are a lot of differing opinions. I know that in the end your pickups should be adjusted to what sounds good to you but here are the tips from a few manufacturers and luthiers:
DiMarzio:
There is no specific distance that works best for everyone. We measure string height from the top of the polepiece to the bottom of the string when the string (usually the high or low E) is held down at the highest fret. For standard, full-size humbuckers, a reasonable starting point for the bridge pickup is at least 1/16" (1.5mm) from the high E and 5/64" (2 mm) from the low E. There are no recommended distances for the other 4 strings. Their polepieces should be adjusted (if necessary) by ear in relation to the volume established for the first and sixth strings. Once the bridge pickup is adjusted to a useful distance, the neck pickup can be adjusted by ear for a good balance.
Gibson:
None of the suggestions here in Tone Tips are bad/better/best directives. Different approaches suit different playing styles and tonal preferences. Its best to experiment with different heights and see what works for you.
Measuring between the top of the pickups and the bottom of the strings, with the strings depressed at the last fret, the best advice is to start with a gap of 1/16 inch between bridge pickup and strings and 3/32 inch between neck pickup and strings, and this makes a good general base from which to launch your own experiments. If you really do want more drive and intensity for a hot, compressed crunch to lead sound at all times, you might want your pickups a little closer to the strings, within reason. If you want more balance, air, warmth, and definition, along with less mud, chances are that moving them a little further away might do it for you. Play around with it for yourselfits the easiest mod you can doand remember to experiment with your amp and pedal settings as you do so, because a new pickup height adjustment might require you to find some new preferred settings on other gear to achieve your ideal tone.
Seymour Duncan:
Seymour recommends that when the strings are pressed down at the highest fret: a neck humbucker be set 1/8" from the strings. A bridge humbucker be set 1/16" at the high E-string and 3/32" at the low E-string.
PRS:
The pickups on your new instrument are fully adjustable by turning the height adjustment screws at each end of the pickup. With the high and low E strings (E and G strings for the Electric Bass) depressed at the last fret the measurement should about 2.5/32 (5/64) on the treble side and about 3/32 on the bass side of both pickups. You may season to taste if you wish.
Lollar:
Pickup Adjustment: For best results Fender style pickups or pickups with non-adjustable poles are meant to be located approximately 1/8" below the strings. Gibson style pickups or pickups with adjustable poles work best as close to the strings as possible. The above instructions are just a guideline for a place to start with your adjustment, raising or lowering either type of pickup can have dramatic tone and volume results.
Bill Lawrence:
As a general rule for the bridge pickup - put a nickel on top of the pickup under the high E string and play the highest note on that string. Adjust the height on that side of the pickup till the string touches the nickel. Repeat the same with the low E string, but use two nickels on top of each other. If this gives you too much output, you can reduce the height slightly. Don't forget that twice the distance will reduce the output by about 60%, and the sound will lose some lows. NOW, you can adjust the neck pickup to match the output of the bridge pickup. For the sound test, use stage volume.
That was a few and certainly not all. Notice that Bill Lawrence has the greatest distance for his staring point?
All you guys who have your pickups even with your pickup rings need to go back and reread what the EXPERTS are saying. I may even do some experiments with my own pickups' heights.
DiMarzio:
There is no specific distance that works best for everyone. We measure string height from the top of the polepiece to the bottom of the string when the string (usually the high or low E) is held down at the highest fret. For standard, full-size humbuckers, a reasonable starting point for the bridge pickup is at least 1/16" (1.5mm) from the high E and 5/64" (2 mm) from the low E. There are no recommended distances for the other 4 strings. Their polepieces should be adjusted (if necessary) by ear in relation to the volume established for the first and sixth strings. Once the bridge pickup is adjusted to a useful distance, the neck pickup can be adjusted by ear for a good balance.
Gibson:
None of the suggestions here in Tone Tips are bad/better/best directives. Different approaches suit different playing styles and tonal preferences. Its best to experiment with different heights and see what works for you.
Measuring between the top of the pickups and the bottom of the strings, with the strings depressed at the last fret, the best advice is to start with a gap of 1/16 inch between bridge pickup and strings and 3/32 inch between neck pickup and strings, and this makes a good general base from which to launch your own experiments. If you really do want more drive and intensity for a hot, compressed crunch to lead sound at all times, you might want your pickups a little closer to the strings, within reason. If you want more balance, air, warmth, and definition, along with less mud, chances are that moving them a little further away might do it for you. Play around with it for yourselfits the easiest mod you can doand remember to experiment with your amp and pedal settings as you do so, because a new pickup height adjustment might require you to find some new preferred settings on other gear to achieve your ideal tone.
Seymour Duncan:
Seymour recommends that when the strings are pressed down at the highest fret: a neck humbucker be set 1/8" from the strings. A bridge humbucker be set 1/16" at the high E-string and 3/32" at the low E-string.
PRS:
The pickups on your new instrument are fully adjustable by turning the height adjustment screws at each end of the pickup. With the high and low E strings (E and G strings for the Electric Bass) depressed at the last fret the measurement should about 2.5/32 (5/64) on the treble side and about 3/32 on the bass side of both pickups. You may season to taste if you wish.
Lollar:
Pickup Adjustment: For best results Fender style pickups or pickups with non-adjustable poles are meant to be located approximately 1/8" below the strings. Gibson style pickups or pickups with adjustable poles work best as close to the strings as possible. The above instructions are just a guideline for a place to start with your adjustment, raising or lowering either type of pickup can have dramatic tone and volume results.
Bill Lawrence:
As a general rule for the bridge pickup - put a nickel on top of the pickup under the high E string and play the highest note on that string. Adjust the height on that side of the pickup till the string touches the nickel. Repeat the same with the low E string, but use two nickels on top of each other. If this gives you too much output, you can reduce the height slightly. Don't forget that twice the distance will reduce the output by about 60%, and the sound will lose some lows. NOW, you can adjust the neck pickup to match the output of the bridge pickup. For the sound test, use stage volume.
That was a few and certainly not all. Notice that Bill Lawrence has the greatest distance for his staring point?
All you guys who have your pickups even with your pickup rings need to go back and reread what the EXPERTS are saying. I may even do some experiments with my own pickups' heights.
......here's my way of adjusting pickups.
