Distance between strings and pickups

What is the proper distance between the pickups and the strings?

Depends on the guitar and the PU and the gauge of strings you are using.

Fenders are tricky (Cf stratorizing effect) and I thnik they post there setup info on the web.

Normally I do mine by ear, balancing output using a screwdriver and the toggle switch.

Here's the setup -

Ibanez JS Series
Dimarzio pickups
9 gauge strings

Any "rule of thumb" I can follow?

According to the PRS website, "With the high and low E strings depressed at the last fret the measurement should about 2 1/2/32 on the treble side and about 3/32 on the bass side of both pickups."

>Edit: 2 1/2/32 = 5/64 ? <

To be honest, because you have that trem unit on there, I'd take it to a tech. I don't know how to mess with them but from what I understand, when they're setup they tend to stay in tune for a good while unless you're hard on your axe.

Well, thanks for the replies everyone.

I've heard that the closer you put the strings to the pickups the more tone you lose. I definitely noticed this when I lowered the action of the strings. So I think I'll try lowering the pickups a bit and fumbling around with it to see what happens. :o

correct me if I am wrong:

the closer the strings are to the pick-up, the more "punch" or"attack" they have,
but if the strings are farther away, that increases sustain while losing loudness.
So adjust your distances to your taste.

Pickups that have strong magnets can effect string vibration if too close to the string, costing sustain. My setups have the bridge pickup furthur away from the strings on the higher string side and closer to the lows. Opposite for the neck pickup, plus I angle them.....

Sometimes pickups (humbuckers) can be improperly angled (both "bobbins" are not parallel to the strings when looking down from the side). Even angled mounting rings may not be enough. When this is the case, I make a VERY slight bend in the height adjustment bolts about 1/2" away from the head. This provides added "tilt" to level the pickup with the strings or angle it away for whatever sound you want. This way you don't have to screw the poll pieces way out, which can catch strings, picks, fingers, etc.

You'll find changing these angles will provide better harmonics and a more balanced output accross the strings.