Originally Posted by: ChristopherSchlegel

I think there are 3 things that might also factor in: pickup height, pick gauge & picking attack.

I have found that with lighter strings you can set the pickups a bit closer to the strings to get more "umph" or pop & snap. The closer the pickups are to heavy strings the more the string vibration can sort of "overload" the pickup. And the natural appication of heavy picks & picking to heavy strings can add to this.

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Setting the pickup height to the sweet spot is a must for whichever string gauge you are using & your choice of pick & typical pick attack should also be factored in.

This is very overlooked part of the process.

Great points Christopher. I hadn't considered that close relationship as you've described it between string gauge, pickup height, pick gauge, and pick attack.

I'll pay closer attention to my pickup heights after each set up I do hereon (I sometimes have neglected that part of a set up), especially with the .008s I have on now or if I change gauges in the future.