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Author Topic: Low gain and high gain differences  (Read 4070 times)

simesf

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Low gain and high gain differences
« on: October 20, 2006, 03:30:18 PM »
I think I'll kick off my membership of this forum with what must look like a really obvious few questions. What are the principal differences between low gain and high gain pickups? As I understand it, a high gain p/u will be more articulate as the amp gets more cranked and the individual notes will have more clarity and separation from each other. The harmonics of an individual note will be more evident at any level of distortion as well. How am I doing so far?

So why have a low gain p/u in the first place? Is it that you will get a greater dynamic range with soft picking vs. hard picking? Will you also get a 'simpler/purer' sounding note because there will be less harmonics coming out of an individual note? Putting it crudely, does a low gain pickup go from 1 to 7 on the volume/distortionometer while a high gain go from 4 to 11? Nothin' goes past 11. Nigel says so.
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_tom_

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Low gain and high gain differences
« Reply #1 on: October 20, 2006, 03:38:04 PM »
I'm no expert, but this is what I've picked up from reading around here and other forums. Higher output makes the sound more compressed, whereas lower output pickups tend to have more of an "open" tone. Thats all I know really :lol:

Oh, and my Fender goes to 12  :twisted:
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TwilightOdyssey

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Low gain and high gain differences
« Reply #2 on: October 20, 2006, 04:00:48 PM »
Welcome. And _tom_, your observations are correct, in the broad strokes.
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fps_dean

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Low gain and high gain differences
« Reply #3 on: October 21, 2006, 08:46:36 AM »
Lower output pickups seem to have better definition at lower gain settings and higher output pickups seem to have better definition at higher settings.
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Real men turn their volume to 11!

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dave_mc

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Low gain and high gain differences
« Reply #4 on: October 21, 2006, 11:18:29 AM »
basically what everyone's said already.

As a gross generalisation, lower gain pickups sound better for cleans and vintage tones, while higher gain pickups sound better for modern distortion, but have worse cleans and vintage tones.

It depends a lot on the amp too.
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Canadian Steve

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Low gain and high gain differences
« Reply #5 on: October 21, 2006, 11:46:38 AM »
Lower output pickups would also bring out more of the wood in your guitar.
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JamesHealey

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Low gain and high gain differences
« Reply #6 on: October 21, 2006, 11:49:24 AM »
it doesnt mean you can't use highout put pickups for cleans and it doesnt mean u can't use low output pickups for high gain either..

it just depends what your after really, the "vintage hot" pickups by BKP for me tend to be the ones that I like.. somewhere in between.
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dave_mc

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Low gain and high gain differences
« Reply #7 on: October 21, 2006, 11:52:52 AM »
^ yeah, again, the amp will play a part there. you can get nice results by pairing low output pickups with a high gain amp, for example.
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screamingdaisy

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Low gain and high gain differences
« Reply #8 on: October 28, 2006, 09:16:08 PM »
As you overwind a pickup it makes it gives it more output, compression, adds midrange and decreases the treble.

Vintage output pickups are generally more open, articulate (uncompressed), clearer and brighter sounding.

The extra midrange seems to help a high output pickup cut through high gain, but it makes the pickup sound a little too 'middy' when used clean.

The slightly scooped midrange in a vintage output pickup can make it sound a little muddy with high gain, but it gives it a more pleasant sounding clean tone.  That said, sometimes a 'muddy' pickup in the neck is a good thing.....it gives killer slur to legatto lead lines and you'll have a better tone as you roll down the guitar's volume.
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defender of faith

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Low gain and high gain differences
« Reply #9 on: October 30, 2006, 03:25:15 PM »
How does a set of high and low gain pick'ups work? Any experience in this matter anyone? Can it be calibrated?
P.S. It's my first post, so greetings everyone  :D
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TwilightOdyssey

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Low gain and high gain differences
« Reply #10 on: October 30, 2006, 03:29:03 PM »
Quote from: defender of faith
How does a set of high and low gain pick'ups work? Any experience in this matter anyone? Can it be calibrated?
P.S. It's my first post, so greetings everyone  :D

Welcome.

Sure, they can be combined, and frequently are. I have a Miracle Man/Irish Tour combo, and other ppl on the forum have a Warpig/Mississippi Queen combo.
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dave_mc

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Low gain and high gain differences
« Reply #11 on: October 30, 2006, 08:49:42 PM »
^ yeah, I agre with ben/TO, a combo of low and high gain can work great if you need a very versatile guitar to cover a lot of ground, or are prepared to use (or enjoy using!) your bridge pickup solely for distortion (where you'd put the high gain pickup) and the neck solely for cleans (where you'd put the lower gain pickup), for example. There are many other ways to use a low/high gain set too, those are just two examples off the top of my head.

And welcome!  :D
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