Pickup Specs

[minions]

What exactly do resistance, resonant peak, and magnets do for a pickup's tone? What is the difference between a high resistence or resonant peak and a low one? What about the difference between ceramic bars and the different alnico rods?

Thanks.

 

[jimh]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickup_(music_technology)

 

[tfarny]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pick_up_%28music_technology%29

 

[-CB-]

Bill Lawrence has claimed all along that the type of magnet makes no difference, its the way its used and the amount of magnetism it has.  To me, that makes some sense, but it might not to others.  Most folks, I think, would say, well of course, and an AlNiCo V is more powerful than AlNiCo II so therefore the type of magnet does matter.  To a certain degree thats true, but only if the magnets are charged to full capacity.  They may, or may not be.  Here's the thing - the designer, boutique artist, factory... whatever... will balance the magnetism, the space the magnet can occupy in order to make its magnetic circuit, along with the coil shape, wire gauge, insulation thickness, bobbin/magnet/coil spacings etc... to make something they feel can sell.  When you change the size of the magnet, you change its circuit.  That will alter tone.  So its entirely possible that you want to keep the magnet a certain size, and and change its relative force.  Also tradition and pre-existing designs may dictate what is acceptable for the magnet size - also requiring different charges on the same, or different magnet types.  Its all a witches brew.  You cant say this, vs that with absolute certainty.

Higher DC coil ohms will result in high frequency fall off.
Heavier wire will result in lower DC ohms, and give more highs, but less overall output.
Stronger magnets tend to offer higher output
Low wide coils are offer several reasons to give more mid tones and heavy low end, over skinny tall coils (P90 vs Strat shapes)
Stronger magnets are usually used with lower DC ohm coils to maintain output strength and offer brighter tone by having less high fall off

And so on and so forth... until your brain explodes from overload.

 

[OzziePete]

Bill Lawrence has claimed all along that the type of magnet makes no difference, its the way its used and the amount of magnetism it has.  To me, that makes some sense, but it might not to others.  Most folks, I think, would say, well of course, and an AlNiCo V is more powerful than AlNiCo II so therefore the type of magnet does matter.  To a certain degree thats true, but only if the magnets are charged to full capacity.  They may, or may not be.  Here's the thing - the designer, boutique artist, factory... whatever... will balance the magnetism, the space the magnet can occupy in order to make its magnetic circuit, along with the coil shape, wire gauge, insulation thickness, bobbin/magnet/coil spacings etc... to make something they feel can sell.  When you change the size of the magnet, you change its circuit.  That will alter tone.  So its entirely possible that you want to keep the magnet a certain size, and and change its relative force.  Also tradition and pre-existing designs may dictate what is acceptable for the magnet size - also requiring different charges on the same, or different magnet types.  Its all a witches brew.  You cant say this, vs that with absolute certainty.

Higher DC coil ohms will result in high frequency fall off.
Heavier wire will result in lower DC ohms, and give more highs, but less overall output.
Stronger magnets tend to offer higher output
Low wide coils are offer several reasons to give more mid tones and heavy low end, over skinny tall coils (P90 vs Strat shapes)
Stronger magnets are usually used with lower DC ohm coils to maintain output strength and offer brighter tone by having less high fall off

And so on and so forth... until your brain explodes from overload.

That last paragraph is very apt when describing what it is that makes the tone of an electric guitar, lol!

I've read some articles from Bill Lawrence, and I only understood about half of it, but he was emphatic about inductance playing a role in the tone shaping of the pickup too. And yes, read too much of Bill's or any other scientist/philosopher/tinkerer/inventor or muso's views about the subject and your head will definitely explode! :laughing11:

Got an idea what happens with them pickup thingys but frankly, the less I know about the physics behind them the better. :tard:

I know enough to get by and get close to what I want, and I also know I do not wish to devote the rest of my life arguing over AlNiCo V vs. AlNiCo 11 vs. Ceramic, or the merits of 42 guage vs. 46! I'll kindly leave that to the experts.....

 

[minions]

Got an idea what happens with them pickup thingys but frankly, the less I know about the physics behind them the better. :tard:

I know enough to get by and get close to what I want, and I also know I do not wish to devote the rest of my life arguing over AlNiCo V vs. AlNiCo 11 vs. Ceramic, or the merits of 42 guage vs. 46! I'll kindly leave that to the experts.....

Haha thanks. You're right.

Higher DC coil ohms will result in high frequency fall off.
Heavier wire will result in lower DC ohms, and give more highs, but less overall output.
Stronger magnets tend to offer higher output
Low wide coils are offer several reasons to give more mid tones and heavy low end, over skinny tall coils (P90 vs Strat shapes)
Stronger magnets are usually used with lower DC ohm coils to maintain output strength and offer brighter tone by having less high fall off

And so on and so forth... until your brain explodes from overload.

Thanks for that. I think my questions have been answered as far as they can be without my head exploding  :toothy10:

Thanks guys.

 

[GoDrex]

IMO the type of magnet makes a pretty noticeable difference. I have experience with humbuckers with ceramic, alnico 2, 4, 5, and 8 and they all give a pickup a different feel and eq.