Output specs of Duncan pickups?

[greendy123]

I have seen the Dimarzio puts the specs for the output of each pickup they have in mV. Does anyone know where I can find out the output specs of Duncan pickups in number form instead the bar they use in the spec sheets?

 

[greendy123]

Re: Output specs of Duncan pickups?

I would expect that the high output dimarzios would be more or less, the same output of high output duncans and the same for the vintage pickups.

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Output specs of Duncan pickups?

My understanding is that Seymour Duncan doesn't quote output in millivolts, as this is dependant on other factors than the pickup itself: string gauge, distance of pickup from strings, pick gauge, picking attack etc. The quoted DC resistance gives an approximate output comparison when comparing pickups of like construction, so a Duncan Distortion at 16k would be hotter than a Custom at 14k, which in turn would be hotter than a '59 at 8k. DC resistances vary slightly with temperature I believe. Whether you can effectively compare DC resistances between manufacturers I'm not sure - I see the DiMarzio Super Distortion's DC resistance is quoted at 13.68k. Does that mean the Duncan Custom is slightly hotter and the Duncan Distortion considerably hotter than the Super Distortion?

 

[Moonsorrow]

Re: Output specs of Duncan pickups?

We may never get the answer to this question!!!!!

 

[AdmiralB]

Re: Output specs of Duncan pickups?

In the absence of any kind of industry standard for measurement, voltage specs (which are the ONLY way to measure output) are only meaningful on a by-manufacturer basis. DiMarzio has a test rig that creates a standardized set of parameters - distance from string, string size, plucking force, etc. And then there is the question of frequency...if DiMarzio uses, say, a string tuned to A, that doesn't necessarily speak to the output an octave higher.

 

[WICKED LESTER]

Re: Output specs of Duncan pickups?

JB= 355MV
DD= 395MV
custom=365MV
DIME= 376MV
Invader=423MV :burnout:

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Output specs of Duncan pickups?

In the absence of any kind of industry standard for measurement, voltage specs (which are the ONLY way to measure output) are only meaningful on a by-manufacturer basis. ....

Exactly... This is the main reason uses the bars to guage the percieved output

JB= 355MV
DD= 395MV
custom=365MV
DIME= 376MV
Invader=423MV :burnout:

Which brand and guage of string, tuned to which note, on what scale length, on what kind of a guitar, with what guage and material of pick, picked how hard..... ? :laugh2:

 

[WICKED LESTER]

Re: Output specs of Duncan pickups?

Which brand and guage of string, tuned to which note, on what scale length, on what kind of a guitar, with what guage and material of pick, picked how hard..... ? :laugh2:

ZERB you are dead on! :laugh2:
this is the MAIN problem with dimarzio's figures they dont count for anyone else but the guy who did the tests :laugh2:

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Output specs of Duncan pickups?

I want to see this test rig DiMarzio uses to derive the mv figures. I am having visions of a guitar-playing droid.

 

[ranalli]

Re: Output specs of Duncan pickups?

In the absence of any kind of industry standard for measurement, voltage specs (which are the ONLY way to measure output) are only meaningful on a by-manufacturer basis. DiMarzio has a test rig that creates a standardized set of parameters - distance from string, string size, plucking force, etc. And then there is the question of frequency...if DiMarzio uses, say, a string tuned to A, that doesn't necessarily speak to the output an octave higher.

This is true. But it does make for an excellent pickup to pickup comparison within manufacturers. I don't really care what the mV value is....I care how much more or less it is than the last pickup I tried...that's how you find what you're looking for.

 

[Moonsorrow]

Re: Output specs of Duncan pickups?

JB= 355MV
DD= 395MV
custom=365MV
DIME= 376MV
Invader=423MV :burnout:

How did you get these numbers?

 

[chill]

Re: Output specs of Duncan pickups?

Does that mean the Duncan Custom is slightly hotter and the Duncan Distortion considerably hotter than the Super Distortion?

I think the magnet strength plays into the equation as well. E.g. compare the JB, DD, and Invader all with about 16.*K windings, but the Invader has a higher output. Or compare the Super D, 13.68K with 425mV output, with the Tone Zone, 17.31K with 375mV output.

Unfortunately even when there is a starndard for measurement, competition will creep into the tests. In the speaker world most folks would agree that 100dB from Celestion is louder than 100dB from Eminence, even though both say they use the 1M/1W measurement system.

...but it sure would be nice to be able to compare apples and apples.