pickup resistance?

Billy Murdoch · Post by **Billy Murdoch** » 5 Dec 2004 2:50 pm

Hi All,
My knowledge of electronics is limited,in fact it is probably just below nil.
My question is ..the resistance on my ZB pickups are 15K ohms and the tone is good.
I have'nt yet checked the one on my Emmons but the tone is not as good as the ZB.
What is the rule?
If the resistance is higher does it make the tone brighter or darker?
If I were to get a true tone would I specify the resistance or do they come "ready wound"
Best regards
Billy

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 5 Dec 2004 3:40 pm

Generally, higher resistance (more turns)= fuller tone and more output. Lower resistance (fewer turns)= thinner, brighter sound with less output.

You'd probably be best to tell Jerry what kind of sound you're looking for, and then he could wind it for that sound. I'm not exactly sure what "standard" is anymore...maybe 18K? I do think it takes a couple thousand ohms to make any noticeable difference.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 05 December 2004 at 04:07 PM.]</p></FONT>

Tom Olson · Post by **Tom Olson** » 5 Dec 2004 7:21 pm

I'm not an expert either, but as Donny says, talking with Jerry Wallace should be of help.

I think Jerry would tell you that there really is no rule, because resistance is just one of many variables in the sound produced by a pickup -- other variables might include: magnet strength, magnet material, wire diameter, wire length, number of wire turns, etc. etc. I think you'd probably have to have a PhD in differential equations to come up with some sort of rule.

Billy Murdoch · Post by **Billy Murdoch** » 5 Dec 2004 11:46 pm

Thanks for the replys,I will probably drop Jerry a line and get some advice.
I had an instructional cassette tape by Lloyd Green many years ago and if my memory serves me right he mentions that his pickup is wound to 22K ohms.
Have any other Forumites measured their pickups?It would be interesting to see the differences.
Thanks again
Billy

John Daugherty · Post by **John Daugherty** » 6 Dec 2004 11:05 am

Billy, I use a George L pickup which has a 5-position switch to select different taps on the coil. The tap which I use most, measures a little more than 20K .
If I want more of a "Mooney" sound, I use a lower resistance (16-18K).
For a single coil pickup, I prefer something around 20k and use the EQs on the amp when I want a shallow sound. My reasoning behind this is; It is easier to eliminate the low frequencies than it is to add the low frequencies.......JD

Billy Murdoch · Post by **Billy Murdoch** » 6 Dec 2004 12:16 pm

Hi Again,
I measured the pickup on my Emmons and it is about 13K.
I mailed Jerry Wallace and he replied very speedily recommending 17.5K for Emmons.
I am just about to order one.
Thanks again everyone
Billy

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 6 Dec 2004 12:25 pm

I ordered pickups from Jerry for my new Williams and he wound them to the 17.5-18K
neighborhood.