Setup
Intonation
Pickup
Balance
Tone
Pocket Roady Tool Stack Deluxe
Power
Pickup Height Helper

Where should your pickups sit?

Guitar pickup height measurement tool

Get a safe starting height for your pickups based on type and position.

Pickup Height Helper

Find your starting height

Three quick questions and you will have a safe starting point. These are reference values — always adjust by ear after.

How to measure: Hold the string down at the last fret. Measure from the top of the pole piece or magnet to the bottom of the string.
Step 1 of 3

What type of pickup?

Choose the pickup type you are setting up.

Humbucker guitar pickup
Humbucker
Dual-coil, passive
Single-coil guitar pickup
Single-Coil
Passive, Strat/Tele
Active guitar pickup
Active
EMG, preamp-driven
Step 2 of 3

Which position?

Select the pickup position you are adjusting.

Step 3 of 3

Choose your unit

Pick the measurement unit that matches your ruler or gauge.

Your Starting Height

Measuring distance from pickup pole piece to bottom of guitar string
Measure with the string held down at the last fret — from the top of the pole piece to the bottom of the string.
Bass Side
Low E string
Treble Side
High E string
⚠ Keep in mind
  • These are starting-point values, not final truth. Adjust by ear after confirming output balance.
  • If you hear warbling, false harmonics, strange buzz, or choking sustain, lower the pickup slightly.
  • Pickup makers may specify different starting points for their own models — always check the spec sheet.
Need the full setup sequence? → Setup Assistant