What Does A Calibrated Pickup Mean?

[Clapton'sGreenChili]

I have looked at 59 classic humbuckers for my new epi dot but i'm confused because musicians friend sell those, but they also sell packaged (2 to a box) "blues 59 classics". They say these are calibrated. what does that mean and are the blues 59's any different from the regular ones (if so then in what way)? excuse my ignorance i am still a newb to guitar.

 

[Sanford]

Re: What Does A Calibrated Pickup Mean?

My understanding of "calibrated pickups" is that the output levels are not drastically different, meaning that a calibrated set of humbuckers (in this case the '59 set) will have a gentler transition when switching from bridge to neck...the volume differences won't be so different as to cause major shifts in loudness. Are these 59s different from those sold as singles? Probably not. You could buy two 59s individually and have good results, but in this case the manufacturer has done it for you.

 

[blueman335]

Re: What Does A Calibrated Pickup Mean?

My understanding of "calibrated pickups" is that the output levels are not drastically different, meaning that a calibrated set of humbuckers (in this case the '59 set) will have a gentler transition when switching from bridge to neck...the volume differences won't be so different as to cause major shifts in loudness.

Calibrated means the bridge is wound hotter, and louder, than the neck. This compensates for the bridge's inherent lower string energy & lower output. It can be a small difference or it can be a large difference. The amount of difference isn't relevant, it's just the fact there is a difference and one PU belongs in one position and not the other.

 

[BigJoe77]

Re: What Does A Calibrated Pickup Mean?

Calibrated means the bridge is wound hotter, and louder, than the neck. This compensates for the bridge's inherent lower string energy & lower output. It can be a small difference or it can be a large difference. The amount of difference isn't relevant, it's just the fact there is a difference and one PU belongs in one position and not the other.

With all due respect, this makes no sense to me. I'm not questioning the veracity, it just doesn't make sense. I thought this was why there were different bridge and neck pickups. Why would they make different bridge and neck models if the calibration that you speak of is the key difference?

Thanks

 

[Marshall_Abuser]

Re: What Does A Calibrated Pickup Mean?

Well, let's say you buy a set of Pearly Gates, Full Shreds, Distortions, Invaders, etc. You have the neck model and the bridge model. This is a calibrated set. Both pickups may come separately, but it is a calibrated set that takes into account the differences between the neck and bridge.

Now let's say you want a custom shop '78 which is meant to go in the bridge position and there is no neck offering whatsoever. You like the tone you get in the bridge and would like a neck version. To solve that, Seymour can make a calibrated set of '78 humbuckers, in which a neck version of the '78 is included along with the bridge version.

That's my understanding....and I agree w/ Blueman335

With all due respect, this makes no sense to me. I'm not questioning the veracity, it just doesn't make sense. I thought this was why there were different bridge and neck pickups. Why would they make different bridge and neck models if the calibration that you speak of is the key difference?

Thanks

 

[blueman335]

Re: What Does A Calibrated Pickup Mean?

With all due respect, this makes no sense to me. I'm not questioning the veracity, it just doesn't make sense. I thought this was why there were different bridge and neck pickups. Why would they make different bridge and neck models if the calibration that you speak of is the key difference? Thanks

Calibration is the difference between neck & bridge PU's. It means they're different; necks being underwound so they're bright & clear (to avoid muddiness) and bridges being overwound do the opposite, to add warmth to an otherwise sharp, thin, and weak position. You're making this more complicated than it is.

"Calibration" means that there is a difference between neck & bridge, and non-calibrated means the neck & bridge PU's are identical and interchangeable. In the 1950's & 1960's calibration wan't given much thought. When Duncan started making aftermarket PU's, emphasis was placed on putting hotter PU's in the bridge so that they wouldn't be drown out by the neck.

 

[BigJoe77]

Re: What Does A Calibrated Pickup Mean?

Thanks for the info. I usually do over think things.

So, when SD sells a "calibrated" set of pickups in a box, all they are doing is creating another packaging option for their product and taking the guess work out of what is supposed to go where. I really did expect it to be much more complicated than that. That's pretty cool, though.

 

[cheezemaster]

Re: What Does A Calibrated Pickup Mean?

Thanks for the info. I usually do over think things.

So, when SD sells a "calibrated" set of pickups in a box, all they are doing is creating another packaging option for their product and taking the guess work out of what is supposed to go where. .

Yes. It's just packaging a neck and bridge model together. It's the same pickups if you bought a 59b and 59n seperately.

 

[blueman335]

Re: What Does A Calibrated Pickup Mean?

So, when SD sells a "calibrated" set of pickups in a box, all they are doing is creating another packaging option for their product and taking the guess work out of what is supposed to go where.

Right, just marketing. Doesn't necessarily mean that the bridge is the perfect match for the neck in your guitar though. You can buy a calibrated "set" the manufacturer picked out, or match up two yourself, which is what most of us do. The whole idea, whoever does it, is to equalize the volumes & tones. That helps you avoid a loud, dark, boomy neck and a puny, trebley bridge that gets totally drowned out.

 

[Kosh Naranek]

Re: What Does A Calibrated Pickup Mean?

Yup. The pickups are matched for tone and output. They have to be voiced a little differently to maintain a tone balance between the neck and bridge position, and they have to be different in output to be the same loudness.