Do pickups have a break in period ?
- Thread starter JB6464
- Start date
super rad stuff
Skaforlifeologist
Re: Do pickups have a break in period ?
have you been messing around with pickup height/screw height in that month?? pickups break in after the magnets degauss, which takes a couple decades...
have you been messing around with pickup height/screw height in that month?? pickups break in after the magnets degauss, which takes a couple decades...
hanumanlangur
New member
Re: Do pickups have a break in period ?
It's more likely that your ears are adjusting to them, or that settings have changed with your equipment. Pickups don't really have any parts (other than the magnets, which takes a long time) that can be broken in.
It's more likely that your ears are adjusting to them, or that settings have changed with your equipment. Pickups don't really have any parts (other than the magnets, which takes a long time) that can be broken in.
idsnowdog
Imperator of Indignation
Re: Do pickups have a break in period ?
They sound the same, your perception of them has changed. Relatively few things would effect it at this stage. Magnets can become discharged if exposed to strong magnetic fields and potting can dry up, but these changes happen over a period of many years.
They sound the same, your perception of them has changed. Relatively few things would effect it at this stage. Magnets can become discharged if exposed to strong magnetic fields and potting can dry up, but these changes happen over a period of many years.
JB6464
New member
Re: Do pickups have a break in period ?
Your probably right hanumanlangur. Maybe my amp has changed a little in the biasing. I've been playing my Gibson 57 LPC all month since i installed these pickups and have'nt even touched my other guitars. These unpotted 59's are addictive and i can't stop playing them. But something has changed slightly.
Your probably right hanumanlangur. Maybe my amp has changed a little in the biasing. I've been playing my Gibson 57 LPC all month since i installed these pickups and have'nt even touched my other guitars. These unpotted 59's are addictive and i can't stop playing them. But something has changed slightly.
jimijames
New member
Re: Do pickups have a break in period ?
I've always wondered this too, because I feel like current running through the copper wire may do something to it over time - don't speakers use copper coils too? I know for sure they have a break in period, but it may have more to do with the speaker cone itself, and if the copper is affected, it also has a great deal more current running through it...
Just a thought though. That being said, I haven't really noticed any of my pickups 'breaking in' so to speak.
I've always wondered this too, because I feel like current running through the copper wire may do something to it over time - don't speakers use copper coils too? I know for sure they have a break in period, but it may have more to do with the speaker cone itself, and if the copper is affected, it also has a great deal more current running through it...
Just a thought though. That being said, I haven't really noticed any of my pickups 'breaking in' so to speak.
idsnowdog
Imperator of Indignation
Re: Do pickups have a break in period ?
A pickup is rated in millivolts. That means a thousandth of a volt, so the copper wouldn't break down under that small of a voltage. Also the amplifier does not power the pickups, the amplifier only amplifies the voltage that a pickup creates.
Last edited:
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Do pickups have a break in period ?
It's your ears and your strings going from fresh to worn.
It's your ears and your strings going from fresh to worn.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Do pickups have a break in period ?
Speakers have moving parts, which is where their break-in period comes from.
Speakers have moving parts, which is where their break-in period comes from.
Blue313
New member
Re: Do pickups have a break in period ?
Try your other guitars, do they sound the same now?
FuelGTRX
Member
Re: Do pickups have a break in period ?
You must have just gotten used to them. Happened to me when I first started using SD pickups. I had a LP Gothic with a Gibson 500T in the bridge and a 490R in the neck, and I changed them out for a JB/'59n combo. I didn't like them at first and I had them setup pretty well with pickup and screw height. It just took me a little time to get used to them and adjust my playing accordingly. I still remember the day I clicked with those pickups and **** they sounded awesome.
Now that I think about it, I always had an adjustment period with every pickup I have owned. I think its a matter of getting the pickups in just the right spot and changing up your playing accordingly. The smallest adjustments can sometimes make a very noticeable difference in sound.
You must have just gotten used to them. Happened to me when I first started using SD pickups. I had a LP Gothic with a Gibson 500T in the bridge and a 490R in the neck, and I changed them out for a JB/'59n combo. I didn't like them at first and I had them setup pretty well with pickup and screw height. It just took me a little time to get used to them and adjust my playing accordingly. I still remember the day I clicked with those pickups and **** they sounded awesome.
Now that I think about it, I always had an adjustment period with every pickup I have owned. I think its a matter of getting the pickups in just the right spot and changing up your playing accordingly. The smallest adjustments can sometimes make a very noticeable difference in sound.
wanmei1
New member
Re: Do pickups have a break in period ?
In my opinion it is extremely possible that you're right!
The phenomena of electrical components and wiring "breaking or wearing in" has been observed and commented on for decades.
It is generally acknowledged that speaker cables, and electronic components such as tubes and capacitors benefit from a period of settling in to an electrical current running through them.
It is not uncommon to hear the expression "buring in" related to a new set of capacitors in an amplifier. In the world of high end audio, CD players, amplifiers and tuners are said to sound less harsh and smoother after a burning in period.
Some suggest that it's all hocus pocus, (love that term) others say it's true.
I fall into the later category and think that most if not all electronic components, pickups included, can benefit from a wearing in period.
In my opinion it is extremely possible that you're right!
The phenomena of electrical components and wiring "breaking or wearing in" has been observed and commented on for decades.
It is generally acknowledged that speaker cables, and electronic components such as tubes and capacitors benefit from a period of settling in to an electrical current running through them.
It is not uncommon to hear the expression "buring in" related to a new set of capacitors in an amplifier. In the world of high end audio, CD players, amplifiers and tuners are said to sound less harsh and smoother after a burning in period.
Some suggest that it's all hocus pocus, (love that term) others say it's true.
I fall into the later category and think that most if not all electronic components, pickups included, can benefit from a wearing in period.
T
Thunder
Guest
Re: Do pickups have a break in period ?
have a negative effect on your magnets. Magnets can be ruined by just leaning your guitar against
an amp.
+1 Have noticed that! and also don't expose your pickups to extreme heat or electromagnetic currents. This will definetely
have a negative effect on your magnets. Magnets can be ruined by just leaning your guitar against
an amp.
Last edited:
