Can Anybody Simplify What DCR/Inductance Actually MEANS For Pickups?

[Lucius Paisley]

A small issue came up when looking at replacing one pickup with another. The bridge pickup I want to put into a guitar states DCR-7.9k, Ind-6.8H (Alnico 2), while the pickup being replaced states DCR-9.2k, Ind-6.2H (Ceramic). And of course, right now it's past 3 AM, so I'm right in the middle of the "overthinking it" time of day and all the things I'm reading are just confusing me since one number is lower while the other is higher I can't compare in my head what I'm gaining/losing, what's louder/hotter/whatever.

Another bit of possibly useful information to help me understand is that the current neck pickup states - DCR-7.8k, Ind-5.2H. Or it might not help since this pickup also uses a ceramic magnet.

So if somebody can use the values given to explain to me what this means sonically, they'd be saving me from a migraine and giving me the opportunity to sleep so I can possibly understand any responses when I read them later. Thanks.

 

[freefrog]

i'll do my best to keep it simple...

DCR means next to nothing in itself.

Inductance is important (and generally proportional to DCR, all other things being equal: that's why winders mention DCR, because it's easier to measure and often indicative of inductance, at least for "normal" magnetic pickups).

Less inductance tends to generate less bass, less mids, more high range and less output (all other things being equal).

More inductance tends to give the contrary: more bass, more mids, less high range and more output (all other things being equal).

For example, a Fender style pickup has three times less inductance than a P90...

In your case, 6.8H vs 6.2H is not a big difference but the lowest value should characterize a brighter sounding PU - albeit not less powerful than the other because of the magnets involved (A2 bumps the inductance but ceramic is most often stronger magnetically, so it gives a louder sound).

I hope it gives a rough idea of what might or should happen sonically with such measurements. I've refreined to evoke "resonant peaks", in order to avoid any useless head ache... but I'll state that other parameters could alter the tone as well (like stray capacitance or Foucault currents, among others)...

 

[Clint 55]

DCR doesn't mean next to nothing lol. What affects DCR is the length of wire (how many turns), what material the wire is, and the gauge or thickness of the wire. So if you have pickups from the same builder with the same build, and same gauge of wire, you can make general comparisons. If there are different magnets or other materials, it will be to a higher degree a ballpark guess.

 

[freefrog]

My statement was that DCR in itself means next to nothing (sonically).

... knowing that the inner DCR of pickups is really negigible compared to the load of pots... ;-)

...But it was a wrong sentence because actually, DCR can be frankly misleading... LOL. )

If two pickups have strictly the same inductance,exactly the same magnetic properties and different resistances, the loudest will be... the one with the lowest DCR. It's measurable and can even be simulated through 5spice.

Not to mention that a stack measuring 24k can exhibit a weak output level of +/-100mV: that's the case of the DiMarzio SH3, if memory serves me.

Lacking of free time for anything else than my humble attempts to help, I'll pass the microphone to my friend James @ Rewind pickups: https://www.mylespaul.com/threads/t...-resistance-in-regard-to-pickup-coils.369099/

FWIW. HTH.

 

[Lucius Paisley]

If two pickups have strictly the same inductance,exactly the same magnetic properties and different resistances, the loudest will be... the one with the lowest DCR. It's measurable and can even be simulated through 5spice.

I haven't thought about circuit simulators for years. I have floppy disc image files of PSpice for DOS floating around somewhere.

Thanks for the explanation and the link.