Is there some form of generalized assumption that can be made about a pickup based upon resonant peak (such as the res. frequency peaks given in SD tone chart)? Higher peak = ??? Lower peak = ??? If one pickup has a res. peak of 6 khz, and one a peak of 7 khz, which will be brighter?
Resonant peak
- Thread starter EFK
- Start date
Fikealox
New member
Re: Resonant peak
This is a tonechart with the various SD humbuckers ordered by their resonant peaks. I'm can't see any real pattern to the changes in EQ as a whole. If we're lucky Frank Falbo'll pop in and fill us in on what resonant peak means for the treble (and tone generally) of pickups - as I remember he's very knowledgeable on the subject (as with everything related to pickups). If I correctly recall what Frank has said previously, the resonant peak will limit how high the highest frequencies that get through will be, but I think the EQ balance as a whole will have an influence as to whether you perceive the pickup as being bright or not.
This is a tonechart with the various SD humbuckers ordered by their resonant peaks. I'm can't see any real pattern to the changes in EQ as a whole. If we're lucky Frank Falbo'll pop in and fill us in on what resonant peak means for the treble (and tone generally) of pickups - as I remember he's very knowledgeable on the subject (as with everything related to pickups). If I correctly recall what Frank has said previously, the resonant peak will limit how high the highest frequencies that get through will be, but I think the EQ balance as a whole will have an influence as to whether you perceive the pickup as being bright or not.
Last edited:
hamerfan
Well-known member
Re: Resonant peak
We should not only discuss the resonant frequency, but also the volume of the Peak which is not display in the chart.
I did some tryout with cover and non covered pickups. Sometimes i had the feeling that a covered has different treble content as the uncovered. But the cover does only dampen the peak. Moreso do gold plated covers.
'Seth Lover once stated that gold plating increased the capacitance of the pickup covers and dulled the sound, so there you go.' (TonequestReport April08)
We should not only discuss the resonant frequency, but also the volume of the Peak which is not display in the chart.
I did some tryout with cover and non covered pickups. Sometimes i had the feeling that a covered has different treble content as the uncovered. But the cover does only dampen the peak. Moreso do gold plated covers.
'Seth Lover once stated that gold plating increased the capacitance of the pickup covers and dulled the sound, so there you go.' (TonequestReport April08)
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: Resonant peak
Did he actually measure that?
The only confirmed effect of the covers is eddie currents, which dampen the amplitude of the resonance peak.
Additional capacitance would lower the frequency of the resonance peak.
And I don't see how the plating would lead to noticeable more capacitance towards the coil wire inside, even if the capacitance was strong enough to make an audible difference, which I doubt.
On the other hand I can easily see how gold plating (which IIRC implies previous non-gold plating with some base) will increase eddie currents.
Did he actually measure that?
The only confirmed effect of the covers is eddie currents, which dampen the amplitude of the resonance peak.
Additional capacitance would lower the frequency of the resonance peak.
And I don't see how the plating would lead to noticeable more capacitance towards the coil wire inside, even if the capacitance was strong enough to make an audible difference, which I doubt.
On the other hand I can easily see how gold plating (which IIRC implies previous non-gold plating with some base) will increase eddie currents.
Zhangliqun
Questionologist
Re: Resonant peak
I haven't measured it but in my experience, gold covers do dull the tone a bit more than nickel or chrome, assuming the alloy of main cover material is the same.
Gold apparently requires a coating on the main cover of copper or brass or the the gold won't stick, and that copper or brass would explain why gold covers give a bit duller tone. Brass (as opposed to nickel-silver) covers certainly sound duller.
I haven't measured it but in my experience, gold covers do dull the tone a bit more than nickel or chrome, assuming the alloy of main cover material is the same.
Gold apparently requires a coating on the main cover of copper or brass or the the gold won't stick, and that copper or brass would explain why gold covers give a bit duller tone. Brass (as opposed to nickel-silver) covers certainly sound duller.