Moderate Output vs hi output pickups
- Thread starter sasha76
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Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Moderate Output vs hi output pickups
The tone curve is one reason. It's all about the eq.
Another IMO is the feel. Some high output pups are just "responsive" to my ears/hands.
Some people dig the compression factor. I certainly think my ToneZone "tubed" up my solid state amp.
I overall do agree that a moderate output pup through a mega-gain amp sounds better. More clear, more distinct, more character, just better. Let the amp do the work. That's why it's there!
The tone curve is one reason. It's all about the eq.
Another IMO is the feel. Some high output pups are just "responsive" to my ears/hands.
Some people dig the compression factor. I certainly think my ToneZone "tubed" up my solid state amp.
I overall do agree that a moderate output pup through a mega-gain amp sounds better. More clear, more distinct, more character, just better. Let the amp do the work. That's why it's there!
Iron Horse
New member
Re: Moderate Output vs hi output pickups
a Pickup that is build for tone rather than output has usually better tone than a pup that is designed purely for mass destruction. Back in the 70's there were no high gain amps, so you got a Marshall Super Lead, and an OD and Super Distortion to push it. So it depends what kind of tone you are looking for. Metallica sounds aren't gonna be delivered with a loose, low-output Alnico II PAF, and EMG 81 isn't too great for Led Zeppelin tones.
a Pickup that is build for tone rather than output has usually better tone than a pup that is designed purely for mass destruction. Back in the 70's there were no high gain amps, so you got a Marshall Super Lead, and an OD and Super Distortion to push it. So it depends what kind of tone you are looking for. Metallica sounds aren't gonna be delivered with a loose, low-output Alnico II PAF, and EMG 81 isn't too great for Led Zeppelin tones.
alex1fly
Well-known member
Re: Moderate Output vs hi output pickups
I like higher output, even with my cleans. I usually work the volume knob down a bit though. With lower output pickups, I find myself having to boost the signal to get it to feel right. In the end, I care more about how the guitar feels than the final tone - hence why I like modelers.
I also don't consider older guitar recordings to have the best tone, even though they're still kind of a benchmark for what is "good tone." But maybe if I could experiment with different kinds of guitars, amps, pedals, and pickups w/o dropping all the cash or spending more than an hour in a Guitar Center, my way of thinking would change.
I like higher output, even with my cleans. I usually work the volume knob down a bit though. With lower output pickups, I find myself having to boost the signal to get it to feel right. In the end, I care more about how the guitar feels than the final tone - hence why I like modelers.
I also don't consider older guitar recordings to have the best tone, even though they're still kind of a benchmark for what is "good tone." But maybe if I could experiment with different kinds of guitars, amps, pedals, and pickups w/o dropping all the cash or spending more than an hour in a Guitar Center, my way of thinking would change.
FuseG4
Our Neighbor Totoro
Re: Moderate Output vs hi output pickups
High output pickups can be a mixed blessing. I feel like some virtuoso-type (and wannabe) guitarists trying to push things to the next level sometimes like high output the most.
There's that tightness and effortless power in high-output pickups that can feel really great, and you can always use the tone and volume controls. But if the natural eq of the pu is too heavy in any aspect, i think that quality will be more apparent regardless of how you set everything up.
Middle output pickups are often more responsive to controls, my CC cleans up nicer than my D-Activator. The CC when turned down gets into that regular-PAF kind of vibe while the D-activator always sounds like the D-activator.
I like high output pickups for split and parallel sounds, because the drop in volume is more manageable.
High output pickups can be a mixed blessing. I feel like some virtuoso-type (and wannabe) guitarists trying to push things to the next level sometimes like high output the most.
There's that tightness and effortless power in high-output pickups that can feel really great, and you can always use the tone and volume controls. But if the natural eq of the pu is too heavy in any aspect, i think that quality will be more apparent regardless of how you set everything up.
Middle output pickups are often more responsive to controls, my CC cleans up nicer than my D-Activator. The CC when turned down gets into that regular-PAF kind of vibe while the D-activator always sounds like the D-activator.
I like high output pickups for split and parallel sounds, because the drop in volume is more manageable.
