Regarding pickup height adjustments, should I use headphones or speakers?

[andrewjazzy]

I want to set up my pickup height to have somewhat of an even volume distribution across strings, but I realize that the sound coming from my monitoring headphones has more treble content than from my bass speaker cabinet. If I rely on my headphones, the treble side of the pickup will be a bit further away from the strings. If I rely on my speakers, it will be closer. Which sound source should I rely on to get the correct pickup height adjustment?

FYI I'm using a non-branded set of headphones and a Phil Jones Double Four as my speaker. Also, the room that I play in is not acoustically treated so it definitely does not have a flat frequency response.

 

[walterw]

i would have said speakers so you could get a sense of the real low end but with just that little PJ box it might not be so representative anyway

might as well calibrate off the medium you use most, or maybe try both and split the difference

 

[Jazzdogg]

How are you measuring the output, by ear, or using an instrument?

 

[andrewjazzy]

How are you measuring the output, by ear, or using an instrument?

I'm doing it by ear. I used to do it by compressor and have all strings show roughly the same gain reduction when plucked with the same intensity. Learning about the Fletcher-Munson curve made me use my ear.

 

[Markshan]

I generally use a screwdriver.

Seriously though, use whatever transducer you are most familiar with.

 

[Geri O]

Other than going by the measurements provided and suggested by the manufacturer….

I’ve had the best luck tweaking pickup height by recording the bass straight into the DAW (recording program/app) with a simple interface and listening back on my studio speakers.

It may not be a practical idea, but I also work and engineer at a recording studio. Most basses sound fine using the provided measurements, but recording my fairly new Stingray Special revealed to me that raising the pickup by 1/16” gives the tone a little more of the traditional Stingray sizzle (to my ears, anyway).

Your point of having different ways of listening to the bass is a good one. I have the amplifier, regular headphones (2 or 3 different types), and my IEMs. But it also seems that once one has discovered an optimum pickup height for his/her bass, however that is achieved, the sound is fairly balanced while listening to the bass on all sources.

 

[rodl2005]

Having your speaker pointed at yr ears makes a heck of a difference.
If it's pointing elsewhere it can sound way more bassy.

 

[Chris Chong]

Set the bass side to 4/32 and treble side to 3/32, jam with your favourite tracks on your normal rig, and make adjustments on the treble side if you need a louder d or g string.

The goal is being heard in the mix.

 

[byacey]

Unless you are going to hand out headphones to every member of the listening audience, it's probably best to adjust the tone balance with whatever they will be listening to.