What is the hottest pickup known to man?

[Masta' C]

Re: What is the hottest pickup known to man?

SD's output ratings came under fire when they were posted due to glaring inaccuracies. Has that since been resolved?

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: What is the hottest pickup known to man?

They pretty much scrubbed most references to that artist when he got booted off the roster a few years back. Literature from the time referred to it as a bit of a tweak on an early JB prototype.

MJ can still make those in her custom shop.

Thanks for the info. It seems a odd that the SuperV was forgotten yet the Demon went on to become part of the regular line. Just makes it more special, I guess. Maybe a Super V at the bridge and a Demon at the neck would be a good combo for a mid-heavy PRS SE. I have an extra MJ-wound Demon looking for a good home. I wonder about the balance with that combination though- the Super V is described as comparable to vintage pickups in output. Might be overpowered by a Demon at the neck, even though the Demon isn't especially hot.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: What is the hottest pickup known to man?

Ya mum.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: What is the hottest pickup known to man?

I had a Dimebucker. Wasn't *that* hot.

In truth, I'm sure the hottest pickup made is some crappy stock humbucker in a generic Chinese guitar. Cheap guitars seem to disguise a lot by using super-hot pickups; I've replaced humbuckers with Duncan Distortions and realized a volume/distortion drop.

...The Duncan Designed Hot Rail is actually a massive distorting pickup, I acquired one a couple months ago (after having owned one long ago) but realized there's nothing I want to put it in at this moment. It's just novel to have.

 

[blueman335]

Re: What is the hottest pickup known to man?

In truth, I'm sure the hottest pickup made is some crappy stock humbucker in a generic Chinese guitar. Cheap guitars seem to disguise a lot by using super-hot pickups.

Ceramic magnets are used in some crappy PU's for that reason.

 

[darthphineas]

Re: What is the hottest pickup known to man?

- the Super V is described as comparable to vintage pickups in output. Might be overpowered by a Demon at the neck, even though the Demon isn't especially hot.

Vintage output? Um...no. That's why other companies have mV output specs on their entire catalog. It might have a slightly vintage character to the voicing, but it's not going to get overpowered.

The Demon, on the other hand, is a more vintage-level output.

People can stop wondering and wringing hands over pickups if they would just buy them and try them. Most companies have an exchange policy and MJ will work with people until they get what they want.

 

[Aceman]

Re: What is the hottest pickup known to man?

People can stop wondering and wringing hands over pickups if they would just buy them and try them. Most companies have an exchange policy and MJ will work with people until they get what they want.

Problem of our times. Too much intarwebs. Not enough real world experience.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: What is the hottest pickup known to man?

Vintage output? Um...no. That's why other companies have mV output specs on their entire catalog. It might have a slightly vintage character to the voicing, but it's not going to get overpowered.

The Demon, on the other hand, is a more vintage-level output.

People can stop wondering and wringing hands over pickups if they would just buy them and try them. Most companies have an exchange policy and MJ will work with people until they get what they want.

Didn't realize you'd played one; firsthand info on these is a little hard to come by. Here's what zenmindbeginner said about his own Super V over at TGP (italics mine):

"The pickup is a contradiction as it has lots of winds of really fine wire that reads a high DC resistance but yields a very low output... lower than you'd expect. I'm not sure if that is from a degaussed magnet or that the wire is truly smaller than 44AWG... maybe both? I didn't get any specs from Scott Olson over at SD... the Custom Shop releases the information they feel comfortable with releasing. The available specs are a DC resistance of 17K (mine was 16.7K), Alnico II magnet and a resonant peak of 4.7kHz.

The output is along the lines of a '59B or a Seth Lover bridge model... but what's unique about the Super V is that it has incredible harmonics for such a low output pickup. It really allows the unique character of the guitar and gear come through. It's got a total vintage vibe yet is aggressive and forward leaning. It has supreme articulation and a raspy edge that lends itself perfectly for some dirt, overdrive, fuzzboxes or distortion."

That's what made me question whether a Demon might be a little powerful to pair with it. Demon isn't a high output pickup, but in neck position mine's certainly stronger than a 59N was in the same guitar. And the older Demon is hotter still: 10.5K as opposed to the 9.7K one I'm using now. I guess MJ is really the one to ask.

FWIW, I didn't realize SD's exchange policy would apply to Custom Shop orders too.

 

[darthphineas]

Re: What is the hottest pickup known to man?

Didn't realize you'd played one; firsthand info on these is a little hard to come by.

Re-visited the Super V again yesterday after giving another round of evaluation to another set of humbucker for an upcoming review.

This Super V is in a HSS super strat with a JB Jr bridge in the middle and a Hot Rail neck in the neck. Nope. Nothing low output or low gain about the Super V.

On the other hand, when I used to still use the Demon, I had one in the bridge with a Hot Rail in the neck. The Hot Rail overpowered the Demon to the point of me pulling the Demon from that guitar.

So.... in my opinion, putting a Demon in the neck with a Super V in the bridge shouldn't be a problem.

As far as tone, I think I may have already suggested (or maybe just thought about it) that you can hear some "vintage" characteristics in the Super V. It is a little more open and airy than, say, a JB or a DD. It's still a little more compressed than a Seth and obviously has more drive and grunt. I think the mids might be a little more of a snarl or growl than a roar. It is edgy for an A2, which is also something the Seth has going on, but it does not have that A2 sag of something like the 78.

I'm not pulling quotes from how the company has described the product, but I'm using my own ears to relate this, so maybe that helps a little. Or not...who knows? That's why it's good to talk to MJ about what she makes and discuss what you want.... as well as have a back up in mind in the event you determine you need to exchange it.

Isn't Masta'C also talking about the Super V? I think he has one as well and should be able to confirm the Super V as NOT low output.

I can't find a guitar that has my other Super V in it, so maybe it's back in the box for now. I do have a single space Super V bridge that MJ made for me a few years back. It has good poles to go with the gold hardware of the guitar it's been it. It's paired with an Eclair (also with gold poles) in the bridge and a Hot Rail neck in the neck. Also, very well proportioned with those other 2 high output pickups.

 

[darthphineas]

Re: What is the hottest pickup known to man?

. I guess MJ is really the one to ask.

FWIW, I didn't realize SD's exchange policy would apply to Custom Shop orders too.

Yep, MJ is definitely going to be where the buck stops on what she makes.

I'm not really known to exchange anything, and have only felt the need to do so once so far with Duncan. And it was a CS model. I might not have cared if it were a production model, but I think we all want to be happy with what we pay for when we are paying a little more for it.

 

[Mincer]

Re: What is the hottest pickup known to man?

Has the company released the outputs of "custom shop" pickups in mV? I understand it wouldn't be anything comparable to mV ratings from other companies, but it would be interesting to see a quantified verification of how the entire menu (custom and production) line up.

If they have, I have never seen it.
I'd even go for a list of every pickup made in order of output that gets updated. The rainbow graph that is there now is inconsistent form pickup to pickup and I think causes more questions than provides answers.

 

[EDX]

Re: What is the hottest pickup known to man?

if i remember correctly the rainbow graphic is read by how long is it, the color only indicates the output category in which a pickup falls

 

[darthphineas]

Re: What is the hottest pickup known to man?

If they have, I have never seen it.
I'd even go for a list of every pickup made in order of output that gets updated. The rainbow graph that is there now is inconsistent form pickup to pickup and I think causes more questions than provides answers.

Yep. That graph you are referring to doesn't cut it.

Maybe at some point, an unbiased source can get mV output readings across the board on all the major models from the bigger brands so that we, as customers, can have much better tools to base our spending decisions. Perhaps Guitar Player or one of those other publications that are already getting $ from gear companies.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: What is the hottest pickup known to man?

Re-visited the Super V again yesterday after giving another round of evaluation to another set of humbucker for an upcoming review.

This Super V is in a HSS super strat with a JB Jr bridge in the middle and a Hot Rail neck in the neck. Nope. Nothing low output or low gain about the Super V.

On the other hand, when I used to still use the Demon, I had one in the bridge with a Hot Rail in the neck. The Hot Rail overpowered the Demon to the point of me pulling the Demon from that guitar.

So.... in my opinion, putting a Demon in the neck with a Super V in the bridge shouldn't be a problem.

As far as tone, I think I may have already suggested (or maybe just thought about it) that you can hear some "vintage" characteristics in the Super V. It is a little more open and airy than, say, a JB or a DD. It's still a little more compressed than a Seth and obviously has more drive and grunt. I think the mids might be a little more of a snarl or growl than a roar. It is edgy for an A2, which is also something the Seth has going on, but it does not have that A2 sag of something like the 78.

I'm not pulling quotes from how the company has described the product, but I'm using my own ears to relate this, so maybe that helps a little. Or not...who knows? That's why it's good to talk to MJ about what she makes and discuss what you want.... as well as have a back up in mind in the event you determine you need to exchange it.

Isn't Masta'C also talking about the Super V? I think he has one as well and should be able to confirm the Super V as NOT low output.

I can't find a guitar that has my other Super V in it, so maybe it's back in the box for now. I do have a single space Super V bridge that MJ made for me a few years back. It has good poles to go with the gold hardware of the guitar it's been it. It's paired with an Eclair (also with gold poles) in the bridge and a Hot Rail neck in the neck. Also, very well proportioned with those other 2 high output pickups.

Thanks Darth! That's exactly what I wanted to learn. SuperV sounds as if it might be right up my alley in general, and a good match in this instance. I'd been thinking about putting my 59/C into this guitar, but the SuperV seems like a better fit.

BTW, if you have an extra one gathering dust somewhere and you feel like letting it go to someone who'll give it a good home...

 

[Masta' C]

Re: What is the hottest pickup known to man?

Isn't Masta'C also talking about the Super V? I think he has one as well and should be able to confirm the Super V as NOT low output.

The Super V is not a "low output" pickup, but I feel it would be a big mistake to think of it as a true "high output" design, also. I think it's very unique, blending some attributes of both families of pickups very nicely.

Earlier, I said it was fairly close to the '78 in output and that's my take, having played both in the same guitars. Our famous forum friend and Duncan video reviewer, ZenMindBeginner, actually told me he felt the Super-V was right between the Screamin' Demon and '78 in output, with the '78 being the hottest of the three. I think a lot of it comes down to the pickup's character. After all, the Super-V uses a very unique wire, wind and an A2 mag which few "high output" designs dare to do.

Dig in and the Super-V responds like a high output pickup...notes tighten up and there's a lot of midrange grunt on tap. Pull back, however, and it's full of nuance and chime. It's really dynamic with great touch sensitivity and retains a lot of the musical complexity and "3D" qualities that can get lost in higher output designs.

Unfortunately, none of these descriptions do the real thing justice. It's one of those pickups you simply have to try yourself to understand. It's just...different.

Here's the video ZMB did:



EDIT: Fast forward to 6 minutes and 30 seconds in that video and read what ZenMindBeginner says about the output and vintage character of the Super V...

If they have, I have never seen it.
I'd even go for a list of every pickup made in order of output that gets updated. The rainbow graph that is there now is inconsistent form pickup to pickup and I think causes more questions than provides answers.

That's what I figured...people are getting confused by the inaccurate scales and mV specs posted.

My input stemmed from trying those pickups first hand. I don't want to sound like the grouchy old guy in the room ('cuz I'm neither grouchy nor old), but I think experience trumps specs *most* of the time.

 

[darthphineas]

Re: What is the hottest pickup known to man?

BTW, if you have an extra one gathering dust somewhere and you feel like letting it go to someone who'll give it a good home...

um.... no.

the Super-V was right between the Screamin' Demon and '78 in output, with the '78 being the hottest of the three.

I'm gonna have to go ahead and wait for someone to run mV output specs on those, as I'm not so certain and there's really no way to tell otherwise.

the overwound PG (aka the 78 Model) does cover a lot of bandwidth in a way that does make it feel bigger and louder. and once again, are we looking as "hottest" as the most output or as being hot? additionally, the 78 Model is much more at the mercy of the wood of the guitar it's being put in... sorta like the RTM, where they benefit from a brighter guitar to help them shine. there's been a bit of the "marketing speak" of some of the models available that can tend to get in the way of how they actually sound... which can risk leaving someone disappointed.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: What is the hottest pickup known to man?

I'm gonna have to go ahead and wait for someone to run mV output specs on those, as I'm not so certain and there's really no way to tell otherwise.

the overwound PG (aka the 78 Model) does cover a lot of bandwidth in a way that does make it feel bigger and louder. and once again, are we looking as "hottest" as the most output or as being hot? additionally, the 78 Model is much more at the mercy of the wood of the guitar it's being put in... sorta like the RTM, where they benefit from a brighter guitar to help them shine. there's been a bit of the "marketing speak" of some of the models available that can tend to get in the way of how they actually sound... which can risk leaving someone disappointed.

I agree with most of this.

I feel it's similar to the '78 in output, you feel it's noticeably higher than that and ZMB felt it was closer to the Demon than something like a JB or Distortion...Very interesting to say the least! How much is due to the Super-V's unique character and how much is actual output is hard to say. That's kinda what makes it so cool, though, and why I was giving Blueman a hard time for limiting himself to "14K and under" designs.

I agree that we need some standardized mV specs for these (and not by the same peeps at SD that tried to do it with the current lineup)

Of course, for the purpose of this thread, it doesn't matter a whole lot since none of those (Demon, Super V, RTM, '78, PG, etc) are even in the top 20th percentile for output in the pickup world.

 

[darthphineas]

Re: What is the hottest pickup known to man?

Of course, for the purpose of this thread, it doesn't matter a whole lot since none of those (Demon, Super V, RTM, '78, PG, etc) are even in the top 20th percentile for output in the pickup world.

Agreed. I'm not even sure how it got off an a tangent about pickups associated with someone that got booted off the roster. lol!

 

[Dave Locher]

Re: What is the hottest pickup known to man?

PSA: Motherbuckers are on sale for $9.99 each right now if anybody's interested. Too hot for me but it's a screamin' deal.

Dude, THANKS!

Never mind - too late. Sold out.

 

[dave74]

Re: What is the hottest pickup known to man?

"Hot" to me is more of a perceived-gain thing. A medium-high-output alnico5 that feels loose and fluid kind of sounds "hotter" to me than a very-high-output ceramic that tracks tight and clear.