Pickup Output

i was just wondering about my pickup output (i think thats the right word i'm meant to be using). The GFS site says that The neck is 5.5 - middle is 5.7 - bridge is 6.25. When i tested mine (i think i did this right) my neck was 5.0 - middle 5.2 - bridge is 5.6. I'm not quite sure what all these numbers mean or how much a difference it makes. Does it sound like mine are out by a lot?
Also, could someone explain what "hotter" is. If you had two identical guitars, with identical pickups except one was wound hotter, does it just mean its louder?
Thanks Guys

Yours are slightly underwound, as compared to published specs. But don't fret -- they aren't drastically so.

My GFS 60s Repros are a little underwound as well (by about the same amount as yours) and they sound great.

And hotter = more output, which can translate into a little more ability to drive the amp. Not necessarily louder, though, as "loudness" is partially a psychological/neurological phenomenon. I don't know all the ins and outs of it, but it takes a certain amount of increased output to have a noticeable increase in volume.

How "hot" does a single coil have to get before it becomes hard to get a good clean sound from it? Or do you lose the characteristic single-coil sound before you lose clean?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by elicross

How "hot" does a single coil have to get before it becomes hard to get a good clean sound from it? Or do you lose the characteristic single-coil sound before you lose clean?

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I do not know but I have used a 6.5 custom shop 50s in the neck position and it sounded great! I think Fender specs. in 62 where 6.2 for all three ,they sound good as well.

A 5k pickup will distort less and drive the amp less and retain a cleaner sound vs. a 10k pup will distort more and drive an amp more and generally be more bassy and chunky sounding.

( If that makes sense )

Heres a sampling that I think Mr. Duncan did with Fender pups.

1954 to 1967 Fender Stratocaster Pickup Specs
1. Year Ohms Wire OD Insulation Turns WD MP Wound
1954 5.76k .0030" Formvar 7956 TL/TG North Hand
1955 5.89k .0029" Formvar 7844 TL/TG North Hand
1956 5.98k .0029" Formvar 8012 TL/TG North Hand
1957 6.02k .0029" Formvar 8105 TL/TG North Hand
1958 6.20k .0028" Formvar 8350 TL/TG North Hand
1959 5.95k .0030" Formvar 7925 TL/TG North Hand
1960 6.33k .0028" Formvar 8293 TL/TG South Hand
1961 6.19k .0029" Formvar 8119 TL/TG South Hand
1962 6.22k .0028" Formvar 8220 TL/TG South Hand
1963 6.37k .0028" Formvar 8319 TL/TG South Hand
1964 6.25k .0027" Formvar/Enamel 7980 TL/TG South Hand

January 4, 1965, CBS bought Fender Musical Instruments.
1965 5.80k .0026" Plain Enamel 7626 TL/TG South Machine
1966 5.76k .0026" Plain Enamel 7630 TL/TG South Machine
1967 5.88k .0027" Plain Enamel 7656 TL/TG South Machine
Year Ohms Wire OD Insulation Turns WD MP Wound



Hope that helps ?

Or it may confuse ?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Totally bored

A 5k pickup will distort less and drive the amp less and retain a cleaner sound...

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AKA: sparkly or thin depending on your taste.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Totally bored

...a 10k pup will distort more and drive an amp more and generally be more bassy and chunky sounding.

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AKA: fat or muddy depending on your taste.

Sparkly was what i was looking for. i can always fatten or muddy things up with other means. I got to wait till saturday till i get it all wired up and in and ready to play, and i'm hoping to make my "Jam Zone" debut

Sparkly is where it's at with Strats.

If it's too thin, you can always get a fatter amp (or a boost pedal)!

You can also raise the p'up or lower the p'up.LOL!!