Dc rating between single coils and humbuckers
- Thread starter jayrob84
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beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Dc rating between single coils and humbuckers
The resistance often correlates to output but doesn’t guarantee any particular level of output. You’d have to measure them several other ways to find out for sure - the easiest being install them alternately in the same instrument and run through the same rig with the same settings. The other hitch is the eq profile or frequency response of different pickups can fool your ear into thinking one pickup is higher output than another just because of a spike in a particular frequency, hence the install and try method is probably the better option, since audible perception is the ultimate outcome anyway.
The resistance often correlates to output but doesn’t guarantee any particular level of output. You’d have to measure them several other ways to find out for sure - the easiest being install them alternately in the same instrument and run through the same rig with the same settings. The other hitch is the eq profile or frequency response of different pickups can fool your ear into thinking one pickup is higher output than another just because of a spike in a particular frequency, hence the install and try method is probably the better option, since audible perception is the ultimate outcome anyway.
Re: Dc rating between single coils and humbuckers
Ok, for the sake of argument we'll assume the wire is identical between them, and the way it is wound makes for the same sort of tension and wind pattern (not really possible but its for the sake of the hypothetical). You have 2 factors at work here - the magnet plus the shape of the coil(s).
The humbucker magnet is much bigger, so will make for a stronger field - and also the fact that it is different to the singlecoil rod magnets also changes tone and attack too.
Humbuckers have 2 summed coils, which makes for a fatter tone. But also you get 2 parts of the string sensed with the coils. This makes for a difference as well.
So the two are different. The s/c will have a more focussed tone due to the shape and rod magnets. The humbucker a fatter tone.
Its fair to say that the two cannot really be compared side to side in any meaningful way......mainly as you perceive output via hearing them played through an amp. And this also shapes the way the pickups sound. Certain amps will make pickup types stand out, if the pickup hits the amp with signal in the right frequencies.
So in this regard too, K is not output.
Ok, for the sake of argument we'll assume the wire is identical between them, and the way it is wound makes for the same sort of tension and wind pattern (not really possible but its for the sake of the hypothetical). You have 2 factors at work here - the magnet plus the shape of the coil(s).
The humbucker magnet is much bigger, so will make for a stronger field - and also the fact that it is different to the singlecoil rod magnets also changes tone and attack too.
Humbuckers have 2 summed coils, which makes for a fatter tone. But also you get 2 parts of the string sensed with the coils. This makes for a difference as well.
So the two are different. The s/c will have a more focussed tone due to the shape and rod magnets. The humbucker a fatter tone.
Its fair to say that the two cannot really be compared side to side in any meaningful way......mainly as you perceive output via hearing them played through an amp. And this also shapes the way the pickups sound. Certain amps will make pickup types stand out, if the pickup hits the amp with signal in the right frequencies.
So in this regard too, K is not output.
ItsaBass
New member
Re: Dc rating between single coils and humbuckers
That question is not really possible to answer until you specify more clearly what two types of pickups you are comparing.
More importantly, the question doesn't make sense theoretically, because DC resistance is not output, and the two pickup designs are quite far apart.
But playing along anyhow...
Many people erroneously use the term "single coils" to refer only to Fender-style single coils, in which the pole pieces themselves are the magnets. However, there are other single coil designs that use the same basic principle as a humbucker: magnet (or magnets) sits below, and the pole pieces are steel temporary magnets that bend the magnetic field toward the strings. E.g. a P90.
Assuming the same strength of magnet/s, and assuming a classic humbucker design (let's say a typical PAF-type construction) and a classic Fender design, then: Even at the same DCR, the humbucker will create more output. This is because pickups with the bar magnet below, and steel pole pieces that bend the field upward, are more sensitive by design than are pickups in which the pole pieces themselves are the pickup magnets.
A better way to think of this point is with old style Mexican Strat pickups. They're basically constructed like mini P90's. Two bar magnets glued on the bottom, steel poles direct then field upward. Make some recordings of the pickup that way. Then go in, chisel the magnets off, tap the steel poles out, and install typical Fender rod magnets of the same magnet type as the original bar magnets. Make another set of recordings. You will see that the original construction of the pickup created more output, even though DCR was identical in both orientations.
Thing is, there is no real-world scenario in which your question would actually come up. DCR is not output, and a pickup of one general design (e.g. an old Strat pickup) can't be directly compared to a pickup of another general design (e.g. a Gibson-style humbucker) in that way.
That question is not really possible to answer until you specify more clearly what two types of pickups you are comparing.
More importantly, the question doesn't make sense theoretically, because DC resistance is not output, and the two pickup designs are quite far apart.
But playing along anyhow...
Many people erroneously use the term "single coils" to refer only to Fender-style single coils, in which the pole pieces themselves are the magnets. However, there are other single coil designs that use the same basic principle as a humbucker: magnet (or magnets) sits below, and the pole pieces are steel temporary magnets that bend the magnetic field toward the strings. E.g. a P90.
Assuming the same strength of magnet/s, and assuming a classic humbucker design (let's say a typical PAF-type construction) and a classic Fender design, then: Even at the same DCR, the humbucker will create more output. This is because pickups with the bar magnet below, and steel pole pieces that bend the field upward, are more sensitive by design than are pickups in which the pole pieces themselves are the pickup magnets.
A better way to think of this point is with old style Mexican Strat pickups. They're basically constructed like mini P90's. Two bar magnets glued on the bottom, steel poles direct then field upward. Make some recordings of the pickup that way. Then go in, chisel the magnets off, tap the steel poles out, and install typical Fender rod magnets of the same magnet type as the original bar magnets. Make another set of recordings. You will see that the original construction of the pickup created more output, even though DCR was identical in both orientations.
Thing is, there is no real-world scenario in which your question would actually come up. DCR is not output, and a pickup of one general design (e.g. an old Strat pickup) can't be directly compared to a pickup of another general design (e.g. a Gibson-style humbucker) in that way.
Re: Dc rating between single coils and humbuckers
Ok I'm just looking for basic answer. So if I take my strat single coil out the bride which is 7k and put a alnico pro 2 humbucker in will the humbucker be louder.? Dc about 9k on one of them
Ok I'm just looking for basic answer. So if I take my strat single coil out the bride which is 7k and put a alnico pro 2 humbucker in will the humbucker be louder.? Dc about 9k on one of them
Re: Dc rating between single coils and humbuckers
Well, my thought is that it might be, but don't mistake certain frequencies being louder than others as overall output. Some people might think a 50's type single coil is louder than a PAF because they are sensitive to high frequencies, and they hear those cutting tones and think 'louder'. That is not the same thing as measuring scientific loudness, which is a more involved process.
The key here isn't loudness but what kind of tone you are going for.
Well, my thought is that it might be, but don't mistake certain frequencies being louder than others as overall output. Some people might think a 50's type single coil is louder than a PAF because they are sensitive to high frequencies, and they hear those cutting tones and think 'louder'. That is not the same thing as measuring scientific loudness, which is a more involved process.
The key here isn't loudness but what kind of tone you are going for.
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