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Author Topic: Pickup's DC Rating vs. Output Rating?  (Read 9283 times)

Attica!

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Pickup's DC Rating vs. Output Rating?
« on: April 11, 2012, 11:54:50 AM »
Ok, this has me a little confused. I've got a Crunch Lab in my Bridge and I'm wanting to put A Dimarzio Fast Track 2 in the Neck. Thing is, I'm unsure as to whether it would work as the DC and Output Rating has me utterly confused.

I've always tried to match my BKPs by putting in a Bridge with a Higher DC Rating than theneck. But now looking at the Dimarzio site, I'm wondering whether I've been doing it wrong. I'll explain:

The Crunch Lab is rated at 11.03k, while the Fast Track is rated at 18.07k. Now this noramlly would make me think that the Fast Track would totally overpower the Crunch Lab.

Now there's also an Output Rating with the Crunch Lab rated at 410, but the Fast rack is rated lower at 321.

So I'm sure you can see the dillemma I'm in. If anyone could help, it'd be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Mike
« Last Edit: April 11, 2012, 11:57:16 AM by mbchepburn »

Philly Q

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Re: Pickup's DC Rating vs. Output Rating?
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2012, 12:48:41 PM »
Comparing DC resistances only works if both pickups are wound with the same type of wire (and even then it's not the only factor, the magnets and other construction details affect the perceived "hotness" of the pickup).

The thinner the wire, the higher the DC resistance for the same length of wire.

I would guess that the Fast Track, as a Strat-sized humbucker, is wound with a thinner wire than the Crunch Lab so it has a higher DC resistance but isn't actually "hotter".

DiMarzio seems to be the only company which uses output in Millivolts as a guide - it does seem to give a pretty accurate idea of how "hot" the pickup really is, at least it's a better guide than the DC resistance.
BKPs I've Got:  RR, BKP-91, ITs, VHII, CS set, Emeralds
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Philly Q

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Re: Pickup's DC Rating vs. Output Rating?
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2012, 12:51:15 PM »
Having said all that, the Fast Track 2 is pretty hot for a single-coil sized humbucker!  I believe they used to recommend it for bridge position only.  Could be a little dark in the neck position, but nothing wrong with that if you like it!  :D
BKPs I've Got:  RR, BKP-91, ITs, VHII, CS set, Emeralds
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Attica!

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Re: Pickup's DC Rating vs. Output Rating?
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2012, 12:58:40 PM »
Well atm I have an Alder guitar with CrunchLab/Cruisers combo, which I primarilt used for Andy Timmons style music. But I got bored of that neck pickup. Great pickup, but sometimes, I just want to turn the gain up and shred it out. So my Abraxas/Emerald is my main Andy Timmons style guitar now.

With The fast Track 2, I saw Rob Marcello using it in the neck, and it sounds awesome. It's like Yngwie on Speed, but a lot more liquid/fluid like.

Philly Q

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Re: Pickup's DC Rating vs. Output Rating?
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2012, 01:02:24 PM »
With The fast Track 2, I saw Rob Marcello using it in the neck, and it sounds awesome. It's like Yngwie on Speed, but a lot more liquid/fluid like.

I don't know Rob Marcello, but I always liked Yngwie's neck pickup tone with the HS-3.  A bit mushy, but very sweet and singing. 
BKPs I've Got:  RR, BKP-91, ITs, VHII, CS set, Emeralds
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Attica!

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Re: Pickup's DC Rating vs. Output Rating?
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2012, 01:08:24 PM »
I used to have the HS-3 in this actual guitar before the Cruiser. Whilst I did love it, and it does want I want nicely; it just seems to have a very rounded, hollow tone (not in a bad way), whilst the Fast Track 2 seems to sound fuller and very liquid like.

I have to say the HS3 DC is over 23k, but the output is only 93. Bit of a step down from the FT2's 321 haha
« Last Edit: April 11, 2012, 01:10:42 PM by mbchepburn »

Philly Q

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Re: Pickup's DC Rating vs. Output Rating?
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2012, 01:52:36 PM »
I have to say the HS3 DC is over 23k, but the output is only 93. Bit of a step down from the FT2's 321 haha

Well there you go, another example - it's two coils, wound with loads of very thin wire, so you end up with a stacked "single-coil" at 23k sounding very similar to a vintage single-coil at about 6k.  :D

I like the HS-3 too.  I have an HS-3 and HS-2 lurking around somewhere, must put them in an HSS Strat sometime.
BKPs I've Got:  RR, BKP-91, ITs, VHII, CS set, Emeralds
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Telerocker

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Re: Pickup's DC Rating vs. Output Rating?
« Reply #7 on: April 11, 2012, 11:47:35 PM »
I had the Fasttrack in a tele and I liked it better then the Tonezone T I had too. Very crunchy though quite fluid with gain. I imagine it will be darker and more fluid in the neck. Just try it.
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Attica!

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Re: Pickup's DC Rating vs. Output Rating?
« Reply #8 on: April 12, 2012, 01:57:54 AM »
I had the Fasttrack in a tele and I liked it better then the Tonezone T I had too. Very crunchy though quite fluid with gain. I imagine it will be darker and more fluid in the neck. Just try it.

Was it the Fast Track or Fast Track 2 though

Telerocker

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Re: Pickup's DC Rating vs. Output Rating?
« Reply #9 on: April 12, 2012, 09:58:57 AM »
Uhm, when I remember well it was the II.
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jjcharvel

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Re: Pickup's DC Rating vs. Output Rating?
« Reply #10 on: April 12, 2012, 10:38:46 PM »
A Bareknuckle output chart in mV would be nice  :)

Slartibartfarst42

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Re: Pickup's DC Rating vs. Output Rating?
« Reply #11 on: April 13, 2012, 10:33:21 AM »
I agree entirely. If DC resistance tells you nothing about output, what's the point in having it? I daresay there is one but to a person with no knowledge of electronics like me, output would be a far more useful measure.
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Attica!

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Re: Pickup's DC Rating vs. Output Rating?
« Reply #12 on: April 13, 2012, 10:41:53 AM »
Well now I understand that Output is a different thing. How does DC actually affect the sound of the pickup?

Alex

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Re: Pickup's DC Rating vs. Output Rating?
« Reply #13 on: April 13, 2012, 11:44:04 AM »
Indeed. I was surprised at how loud the Black Dog seemed.
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BigB

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Re: Pickup's DC Rating vs. Output Rating?
« Reply #14 on: April 13, 2012, 12:36:03 PM »
I agree entirely. If DC resistance tells you nothing about output,

It does - but you need a bit more infos to make proper use of this measure.

what's the point in having it? I daresay there is one but to a person with no knowledge of electronics like me, output would be a far more useful measure.

The point is that a pickup has no output level by itself - the output levels depends on the input (ie guitar strings and setup, pickup position,  player's attack etc) AND the load impedance - so we'd need a standardized, commonly agreed on (and respected) procedure to come with any meaningfull numbers here. DC resistence OTHO doesn't depends on anything outside the pickup and it just requires a multimeter to find out.

Well now I understand that Output is a different thing. How does DC actually affect the sound of the pickup?

For a same construction + size + magnet type + wire type + wire gauge, higher DC resistance => more output, less trebles.
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