ohms for 12 string pickup ?

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 13 Dec 2005 5:49 pm

What would be the optimum winding, ohms for a 12 string pickup? I know most people prefer a 17,500 ohm winding for a 10 string E/9. Some might prefer a darker sounding pickup for C/6.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 13 Dec 2005 6:39 pm

Generally the resistance is increased for a 12 string over a 10- ie. a typical 17-18 ohm 10 string pickup would be wound to roughly 20-22 for a 12 for the same tonal characteristics.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 13 Dec 2005 6:47 pm

Len, it all depends on what sound you want. I've seen 12-string pickups go anywhere from 16k to about 22.5k. Factors like your guitar, amp, and volume pedal type should be taken into account. I'd recommend telling the manufacturer what sound you're looking for (sharper or fuller), and what pickup you're using now. He should be able to take it from there, once he knows the gear you're using.

Caveat: My experience is that most pickup changes alter the tone very little compared to the changes you can make with the tone controls on any good amp. My guitar allows me to change pickups in about 10 seconds, and that's a real eye-opener as far as the difference they really make.

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 14 Dec 2005 1:56 pm

Thanks for the feedback. I have a Sierra with various pickups wound at different ohms.
My Sierra guitar is a good guitar to A/B pickups with.

I am considering another pickup for the Sierra where the pickup will be wound and then installed into the bezel. The pickup I am using on my Zum is 22,000 ohms and it sounds nice. However, I want a brighter sound on the Sierra so I may opt for a 20,000
ohm winding.

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 14 Dec 2005 10:06 pm

When I got a Truetone for my Emmons push-pull S12, I didn't specify the winding. Jerry sent me an 18.5K ohm. It sounds great, but honestly, there is very little difference between it and the original Emmons single-coil pickup. Replacing one great pickup with another doesn't get you much.

James Quackenbush · Post by **James Quackenbush** » 15 Dec 2005 11:22 am

Len,
It's a hard call on the Sierra .....Pickups in the Sierra do NOT sound the same as they do in a Zum or any other steel ...I can only talk about single coils ....I like most other steels with 17.5k as my favorite strength .....In the Sierra , an 18.5 sounds very much like a 17.5 in other steels....Just to confuse you a little bit more, a 12 string pickup also sounds different than the same strength and model 10 string pickup !!... I don't even like Humbucker pickups, but that Dimarzio that I got from you is one KILLER Sounding pickup on my Sierra !
BTW....As much as I like the TrueTones, they sound OK on the Sierra , but not really special like they do on other steels..
If you don't mind Humbuckers, and you want a nice bottom end with a smooth high end , check out a George L 12-1 and let me know how you like it ....Gosh !!...you ve had every pickup out there haven't you ?......LOL !!......Sincerely, Jim

John Fabian · Post by **John Fabian** » 15 Dec 2005 11:53 am

The optimal resistance would depend on the pickup configuration and wire size. It could go as high as 30K for certain configurations without being muddy where as other configurations get muddy at 22K-24K.

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 15 Dec 2005 9:05 pm

Hi James:

I am glad you like the Dimarzio picup and I have another exactly the same I am holding onto. I have a Pitman pickup that sounds very nice in another guitar and that is the pickup I am going to have installed in the bezel for the Sierra.

The Pitman pickup is a humbucker also. You can never have too many pickups, or guitars to put them in.....

John Daugherty · Post by **John Daugherty** » 16 Dec 2005 6:05 am

Len, I have a Geo-L 5-tap pickup on my Marlen U12 (wood body,wood neck). I personally like the tap that measures about 20k+ ohms. I like a full sound,similar to the sound that Emmons gets. Some players like the thinner sound from an 18k.

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www.phelpscountychoppers.com/steelguitar

James Quackenbush · Post by **James Quackenbush** » 18 Dec 2005 4:51 pm

Len,
I also have an interest in the Pitman, but it is my understanding that it is very similar to the "Clap Trap" which I already have...This is my other favorite pickup for the Sierra ...That Dimarizio has a " hi fi" tone to it .....Brite and 3 dimensional ....I wonder why they stopped making them ?
Great pickup ....Good Luck with the Pitman ....If it is in fact like the Clap Trap you will like it ......Sincerely Jim[This message was edited by James Quackenbush on 18 December 2005 at 04:51 PM.]