9 Easy Steps To Adjust Your P90 Pickup Height

Lowering the pickups on your P90-equipped guitar should be a straightforward process. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you:

1. Prepare your workspace: Find a clean, flat surface to work on. Lay down a soft cloth or towel to protect the guitar's finish.

2. Tools you'll need: You'll typically need a small Phillips head depending on the type of screws used in your guitar's pickup mounts.

3. Locate the screws on the pickups: Most P90 electric guitars will have two screws in the middle of the pickups next to the magnetic pole pieces.

4. Adjust the screws: Using your screwdriver, carefully turn the screws counterclockwise to lower the pickups. Turn them an equal amount on both sides to maintain balance unless you intentionally want to create an imbalance for tonal reasons.
   

5. Check the height: After making adjustments, visually inspect the pickups to ensure they're at your desired height. Put your finger on the string at the last fret and check the clearance of the string to the pickup. A good starting point is a 3mm gap. Always check this at the end to make sure you have some clearance. If the string is too close it has 2 issues - It might physically hit the pickup or, the magnetic pull can affect intonation.

6. Test the sound: Once you've adjusted the pickups to your liking, tune the guitar back up and play it. Listen for any changes in tone or volume. You may need to fine-tune the pickup height further to get the sound you want.

7. Repeat if necessary: Adjustments to pickup height can be a trial-and-error process, especially if you're fine-tuning for a specific tone. Don't hesitate to make additional adjustments until you're satisfied with the sound and playability of your guitar.

8. Secure the screws: Once you're happy with the pickup height, tighten the screws to secure the pickups in place. Be careful not to over-tighten, as this could strip the threads or damage the pickup mounts.

9. Final check: After securing the screws, give your guitar another quick playtest to ensure everything sounds and feels right. If all is well, you're done!

Remember, adjusting pickup height is a personal preference, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Experiment with different heights to find the sound and playability that best suit your style and preferences.