Re: Alt 8 is really high output vs JB
Output is just as much perceived as absolute. Pickups that have a strongly centered frequency response can come across as weak. The reason is because only a few frequencies are coming through. However if you have a pickup that is well balanced and has a strong all round frequency response, its perceived loudness should be greater.
I have tried a lot of pickups and I have found some low K pickups sound huge and some high K pickups sound weak. It all depends on what frequencies are being accentuated and what frequencies are being attenuated.
For instance I have a Kent Armstrong Mega Distortion and it has a resistance of 22k, but yet its frequency spread is rather small, so it doesn't sound HUGE! Also its output in millivolts although high, doesn't make it terribly loud, since the EQ is rather focused.
I also have a Dimarzio HFH which has a very low K reading and when you take its narrow EQ and combine it with a dark and mellow guitar it sounds horribly weak, but with a bright and resonant guitar it sounds good and fairly loud. I also had two PJ Marxx 812's which although having a low K reading had a wide EQ, which combined with clarity made them sound bigger than their output in millivolts.
