Differences between High Gain on amps and High Output

[merkaba22]

When the Super Distortion was first introduced it was pretty popular since, in lay terms, it had a higher output that could hit the front end of the amp which at the time did not yet really have a developed high gain/master volume feature in order to get more sustain and harmonics, etc.

Since then obviously things have changed a lot.

One goal for some of us is to have high gain with touch sensitivity that can be rolled off to a clean response by using the volume of the guitar.

What are the differences between a mid-output pup @ 7.5~ 8.5k PUP v. a high gain like the JB PUP, etc. which can range form 11k to upward to 17k output into a high/mid gain amp like a SLO, for example -- how do you balance the two for a feature like this?

 

[vinta9e]

Re: Differences between High Gain on amps and High Output

One goal for some of us is to have high gain with touch sensitivity that can be rolled off to a clean response by using the volume of the guitar.

Volume roll-back performance depends on many things. The pickup, the wiring (pots, treble bleed, switches), the pedals, then the amp. Few amps can clean up all the way "from hell to heaven" just by the guitar's volume pot. But some can.

What are the differences between a mid-output pup @ 7.5~ 8.5k PUP v. a high gain like the JB PUP, etc. which can range form 11k to upward to 17k output into a high/mid gain amp like a SLO, for example -- how do you balance the two for a feature like this?

Kiloohms mean little, really, in terms of output. There are hot pickups wound with thick wire, like the Jackson J-85 (8+ KOhm) and there are really moderate pickups wound with thin wire. The Dimarzio HS2 are over 20k, and very tame.

A Soldano will clean up reasonably well, even when driven with a JB or a DD. Use a treble bleed if turning down sounds muddy. Use decent tubes and open up the master volume.

 

[merkaba22]

Re: Differences between High Gain on amps and High Output

Hey thanks -- got the ANOS glass in a good place and a guitar that has a C8 in the bridge -- 500k pot on the guitar wired 50's style with one V and one T (and a SD stacked single coil in the fingerboard position) and no matter where I have the higher gain settings I can not use the volume to clean up.

Also, see this with a rebuilt Fender PR II with ANOS 12AX7's, etc.

Wondered if a lower output pup would help?

 

[merkaba22]

Re: Differences between High Gain on amps and High Output

That's cool but its there a consensus on what would happen at the, otherwise, same gain/tone settings on your amp and say a JB based AH pup and the lower output of the original AH Pup closer to 7.5K?

Is there some feel/response qualities that makes say, Van Halen, prefer a lower output pup for a high amp over a high output pup, other than simply what happened historically?