A5/42 gauge strat bridge pup....at what point in DCR does it change?

Re: A5/42 gauge strat bridge pup....at what point in DCR does it change?

I use Five Twos to get rid of that tinny sound. They have a lower DCR than other solutions, somewhere in the mid-6s. The smaller strings don't sound thin with gain at all.
 
Re: A5/42 gauge strat bridge pup....at what point in DCR does it change?

Makes sense. Are those at the limit to where you can go before it stops making a noticeable enough difference?

...or where is the point when you need to go to a finer gauge, assuming that's information you're willing to provide?

In my own Strat I have one I made that I call the Tire Iron, a 42 gauge 11.2k monster (and a 5/2) which means it's roughly equal to a 14k/43. Hard to get much more 42 on there than that with the .800" rods but if I could, or if I used some .900" or .950" long bobbins I have laying around I could probably make a 12k/42 that would still sound good, you'd just have to rout your Strat a little deeper. But the mud zone could suddenly appear well before 12k and I haven't tried anything like it yet so who knows. If a customer queried me about such a thing, I'd try to talk him into a 42.5 or 43 gauge to avoid a taller pickup that would require routing, and I'm not sure there's necessarily a significant difference in sound between a 14k/43 on a standard height bobbin vs. my tall 11.2k/42 anyway because the width of the coil would be about the same.

At lower levels, like, say, a 9k/42 wind, going to a 43 gauge equivalent would change the coil width (narrower) and may make a difference in the sound being thinner.
 
Re: A5/42 gauge strat bridge pup....at what point in DCR does it change?

Zhangs the man for the overwound 42 pickups thats for sure. He knows his stuff!!
 
Re: A5/42 gauge strat bridge pup....at what point in DCR does it change?

I'm fond of hot 42's to be sure, but that's not to say 43's on a regular bobbin can't be just as good. Am pondering some 43 models with the big 1/4" rods.
 
Re: A5/42 gauge strat bridge pup....at what point in DCR does it change?

I'm fond of hot 42's to be sure, but that's not to say 43's on a regular bobbin can't be just as good. Am pondering some 43 models with the big 1/4" rods.

What's the gauge in QP's? 44?

Those sound very interesting models you're planning!
 
Re: A5/42 gauge strat bridge pup....at what point in DCR does it change?

I once convinced Lindy Fralin to make me an overwound 42AWG/A5 bridge pickup (against his warning) that ended up around 8.5k. I shouldve taken his advice because it sounded like crap.
 
Re: A5/42 gauge strat bridge pup....at what point in DCR does it change?

It certainly does become hard to get the right elements in overwound 42. Its not a bermuda triangle for most winders for nothing.
 
Re: A5/42 gauge strat bridge pup....at what point in DCR does it change?

What's the gauge in QP's? 44?

Those sound very interesting models you're planning!

I think they're 43, so this idea of mine is not totally original, just do my own flavor/take.
 
Re: A5/42 gauge strat bridge pup....at what point in DCR does it change?

I once convinced Lindy Fralin to make me an overwound 42AWG/A5 bridge pickup (against his warning) that ended up around 8.5k. I shouldve taken his advice because it sounded like crap.

8.5k is overwound?
 
Re: A5/42 gauge strat bridge pup....at what point in DCR does it change?

compared to a vintage strat pup? yep. hell, some people think that 6.5k is on the hot side of vintage. 8.5k of #42 could be dull if not done right
 
Re: A5/42 gauge strat bridge pup....at what point in DCR does it change?

I once convinced Lindy Fralin to make me an overwound 42AWG/A5 bridge pickup (against his warning) that ended up around 8.5k. I shouldve taken his advice because it sounded like crap.

That would be pretty similar to an SSL-5. One man's trash...
 
Re: A5/42 gauge strat bridge pup....at what point in DCR does it change?

Keep in mind that one winder's wind (combo of pattern, components, materials, etc) at 8.5k may just not work while another may be dynamite. Fralin's by his own admission (and warning) apparently don't, though I haven't tried any so I can neither confirm nor deny.
 
Re: A5/42 gauge strat bridge pup....at what point in DCR does it change?

right. ive made some 8.5k strat pups that sound great but in the process of experimentation, ive also made a few duds
 
Re: A5/42 gauge strat bridge pup....at what point in DCR does it change?

I do like Lindy Fralin’s Steel Pole 43 quite a bit.

It uses 43 gauge wire but has adjustable screws for the pole pieces and has the magnet under the bobbin.

It’s my favorite “hotter than vintage” Strat bridge pickup.

Gets compared to a P90 a lot.

Blends well with regular Strat single coils and you don’t lose the classic bridge and middle combined tone. Still sounds “right”.

I use it with Antiquity Surfer neck and middle pickups and my best friend uses it with two Duncan SSL1’s.
 
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Re: A5/42 gauge strat bridge pup....at what point in DCR does it change?

8.0k for neck can work great, though obviously not if your bridge is in the 6k or so vintage range, you'll need something beefy there to balance. (The aforementioned Strat has one of those in the neck to go with the monster 11.2k/42.) Will get you that SRV punch without having to use an .024 for your high E...
 
Re: A5/42 gauge strat bridge pup....at what point in DCR does it change?

That would be pretty similar to an SSL-5. One man's trash...

It wouldn't... But about one mans trash comment: I was a bit shocked when I put together the partscaster I have under modding. When you kcik up the gain, the stock ceramic bar peavey bridge has incredibly good tone. It honestly rivals SSL-5 and QP. All different, but just as good.
 
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