unpotted pickups - how much gain is too much?

[goddamn electric]

So im aware that unpotted pickups may not be best suited to higher gain sounds, but how much gain are we talking about here? i mean obviously they wont be suited to metal tones, but what about more hard rock e.g. slash, van halen etc, would that be too much gain for an unpotted pickup?

cheers

[ericsabbath]

it's not about the gain, it's about the feedback
my holy diver (potted) already feedbacks a lot, especially with loud mids and a booster
BKP's are already too sensitive

[PhilKing]

The unpotted pickups are the lower output ones, and I don't have a problem with my unpotted Stormy Mondays feeding back in my 335.  I am talking about squeal here, not real feedback which will happen to any pickups if you are boosting the gain (and which I think is a good thing).