P'up resistance measurement question

[NeoFauve]

I have a Tele bridge p'up that measured 6.12K, unistalled.

Are the resistance numbers you typically see advertised those of the pickup by itself, or installed?

[Kap'n]

Installed shouldn't make much difference. Volume controls, while wired in parallel to the coil are usually ~20-50X the DC resistance of a pickup.

[NeoFauve]

Does 6.12 seem low?

[Kap'n]

I think it's relatively low for a tele bridge pickup. I'm no expert, though.

[Custom 5]

the measurement is taken before installation. the dc ohms reading goes a bit lower once the pickup is installed but, just like, .02 or something close.

6.12k is not low as long as there's enough magnet in there to push it.

[NeoFauve]

The p'up works fine. But looking at spec for the SD Jerry Donahue (7.8K), I wondered if my old Fender pickup measured abnormally low.
I have no idea what the spec for it would be.

[Wilko]

Those early 70s tele pickups can be pretty low like that. That's even lower thana strat pickup.

[Custom 5]

here's one on ebay that reads 6.28k

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-1972-FEN...d=p3286.c0.m14

here's another one that reads 5.84k
http://cgi.ebay.com/1973-ORIG-FENDER...3286.m20.l1116

[NeoFauve]

Thanks, guys.

[Zhangliqun]

Pickups will read about 0.2k lower when wired in the guitar's circuit than when sitting uprooted on the bench.

They will also vary a surprising amount with temperature changes.

[Kap'n]

They will also vary a surprising amount with temperature changes.

That's pretty bizarre. Any thoughts why?

[chuckocaster]

no idea, but i've measured it after reading about it. cold temp, the DC will read low. higher temp and the DC moves up. maybe the wax changing states?

[Custom 5]

you should see what a coil reads right after it's wound. a 7k pickup with read close to 8k for about 12 hours after it's wound and will then settle down.

[Kap'n]

you should see what a coil reads right after it's wound. a 7k pickup with read close to 8k for about 12 hours after it's wound and will then settle down.

That could be just tension on the wire evening out.

Resistance on the pickup goes up when it gets hotter? That's just plain bizarre.

[Custom 5]

well there is an awful lot of wire on a bobbin and when it gets warm, it will tend to expand. if 6000 winds equals approx 2500 feet of wire and it expands it's the equivelant of there being more wire not to mention that when the molecules expand electricity will not flow as easily as when the wire is cold and the molecules more dense. maybe?

[Kap'n]

I guess that makes sense. Thanks!