Why a BIG variance in VOLUME between Bridge and Neck Pickups????
- Thread starter jozLuck
- Start date
Kam
Shaftologist
Re: Why a BIG variance in VOLUME between Bridge and Neck Pickups????
The neck pickup is a naturally louder position simply because the strings are free to vibrate over a wider area and generate more volume.
Common practice is to have the neck pickup set further away from the strings to balance the volume with the bridge pickup.
It's also possible that you have a higher output pickup in the neck than you do in the bridge. What pickups in particular are we talking about?
The neck pickup is a naturally louder position simply because the strings are free to vibrate over a wider area and generate more volume.
Common practice is to have the neck pickup set further away from the strings to balance the volume with the bridge pickup.
It's also possible that you have a higher output pickup in the neck than you do in the bridge. What pickups in particular are we talking about?
Evan Skopp
SDUGF Founder
Re: Why a BIG variance in VOLUME between Bridge and Neck Pickups????
It's also possible that your neck pickup isn't wired properly. If it's wired in split mode or parallel mode, that will create a volume drop.
It's also possible that your neck pickup isn't wired properly. If it's wired in split mode or parallel mode, that will create a volume drop.
OsvyRock
New member
Re: Why a BIG variance in VOLUME between Bridge and Neck Pickups????
+1
All of this is true! Try to work on your pickups height. That's an important factor. Also... which 2 humbucker pickups are we talking about?
A high output pickup may not match so nicely with a very low output pickup, maybe the pickup EQ difference is too much.
Feel free to give us more details! I'll be glad to help!
+1
All of this is true! Try to work on your pickups height. That's an important factor. Also... which 2 humbucker pickups are we talking about?
A high output pickup may not match so nicely with a very low output pickup, maybe the pickup EQ difference is too much.
Feel free to give us more details! I'll be glad to help!
Jericho1976
New member
Re: Why a BIG variance in VOLUME between Bridge and Neck Pickups????
OsvyRock is absolutely right!
Pickups height is key to balancing volume between neck and bridge pickups, but you do have to consider if the difference between the outputs (low or high) may be significant enought to prevent you from succeeding in balancing them using only height.
OsvyRock is absolutely right!
Pickups height is key to balancing volume between neck and bridge pickups, but you do have to consider if the difference between the outputs (low or high) may be significant enought to prevent you from succeeding in balancing them using only height.
Falloffthebonetone
New member
Re: Why a BIG variance in VOLUME between Bridge and Neck Pickups????
Flat out, first things first which pickups do you have?
Flat out, first things first which pickups do you have?
BlueTalon
New member
Re: Why a BIG variance in VOLUME between Bridge and Neck Pickups????
I think the OP is asking a theoretical question, not a practical one based on specific pickups or guitar.
The reason pickups come in sets, where an bridge pickup has a higher output than its otherwise identical neck pickup, is the reason Kam stated above.
Pickups work the way any electrical generator works. They have the same three elements: a magnetic field, conductors, and motion. Motion is the variable element, and vital. In a generator, it determines frequency. In a pickup, it determines both frequency and amplitude.
The simple fact is that at the neck position, the strings have a lot more movement than they do at the bridge position. More movement = more amplitude = hotter signal. In order to create a balanced output, pickup companies compensate for this by making the bridge pickup hotter than the neck pickup.
The corollary, of course, is that if two pickups with the same output are used, one in the neck position and one in the bridge position, then the neck pickup will have a significantly hotter signal, making a balanced output problematic.
I think the OP is asking a theoretical question, not a practical one based on specific pickups or guitar.
The reason pickups come in sets, where an bridge pickup has a higher output than its otherwise identical neck pickup, is the reason Kam stated above.
Pickups work the way any electrical generator works. They have the same three elements: a magnetic field, conductors, and motion. Motion is the variable element, and vital. In a generator, it determines frequency. In a pickup, it determines both frequency and amplitude.
The simple fact is that at the neck position, the strings have a lot more movement than they do at the bridge position. More movement = more amplitude = hotter signal. In order to create a balanced output, pickup companies compensate for this by making the bridge pickup hotter than the neck pickup.
The corollary, of course, is that if two pickups with the same output are used, one in the neck position and one in the bridge position, then the neck pickup will have a significantly hotter signal, making a balanced output problematic.
Last edited:
darthphineas
New member
Re: Why a BIG variance in VOLUME between Bridge and Neck Pickups????
How would you define a vast difference?
Sent from my armored space station using Tapatalk on iPad
How would you define a vast difference?
Sent from my armored space station using Tapatalk on iPad
jafo
Member
Re: Why a BIG variance in VOLUME between Bridge and Neck Pickups????
Heh, you wanna talk volume differences? Check out this case study. I've got an A4 Jazz neck (7.16k) that overpowers a C5 (13.35k) in the bridge; the JazzN is about a half an inch from the strings and the CC is about an eighth, both are wired in series, both coils are active, yadda yadda. Strumming a chord and flicking the selector switch while looking at my DAW's meter shows the neck is a good 3dB hotter. That said, the neck pup doesn't distort as much as the bridge does.
*shrug* Some of us are just unlucky. Whatevs; bad luck makes for better songs than good.
Heh, you wanna talk volume differences? Check out this case study. I've got an A4 Jazz neck (7.16k) that overpowers a C5 (13.35k) in the bridge; the JazzN is about a half an inch from the strings and the CC is about an eighth, both are wired in series, both coils are active, yadda yadda. Strumming a chord and flicking the selector switch while looking at my DAW's meter shows the neck is a good 3dB hotter. That said, the neck pup doesn't distort as much as the bridge does.
*shrug* Some of us are just unlucky. Whatevs; bad luck makes for better songs than good.
Falloffthebonetone
New member
Re: Why a BIG variance in VOLUME between Bridge and Neck Pickups????
I think it's pretty handy to have one more powerful than the other even beyond the balance, its like having a boost/cut on your own gutar kinda when you seitch from one to the other..
I think it's pretty handy to have one more powerful than the other even beyond the balance, its like having a boost/cut on your own gutar kinda when you seitch from one to the other..
MrTondo
New member
Re: Why a BIG variance in VOLUME between Bridge and Neck Pickups????
All the things mentioned above factor in, pickup strength (of which a crude indication is the DC resistance), pickup placement (where are they situated compared to the fretboard/length of the string), pickup height compared to the strings (inclusing use of pole-pieces and screws etc).
Then their is the more general stuff, such as that a very mid-heavy pickup will sound louder than a scooped one, due to the way our ears work. And that due to their placement bridge pickups always pickup a different harmonic content from the string compared to neck pickups, so perceived loudness will also automatically differ (even if the actual loudness is equal).
In conclusion let your ears do the hearing and adjust accordingly
.
All the things mentioned above factor in, pickup strength (of which a crude indication is the DC resistance), pickup placement (where are they situated compared to the fretboard/length of the string), pickup height compared to the strings (inclusing use of pole-pieces and screws etc).
Then their is the more general stuff, such as that a very mid-heavy pickup will sound louder than a scooped one, due to the way our ears work. And that due to their placement bridge pickups always pickup a different harmonic content from the string compared to neck pickups, so perceived loudness will also automatically differ (even if the actual loudness is equal).
In conclusion let your ears do the hearing and adjust accordingly
.
IMENATOR
Well-known member
Re: Why a BIG variance in VOLUME between Bridge and Neck Pickups????
The same pickup will sound louder in the neck, that is so natural. Once I got this crazy idea and put my Jazz neck in the bridge position, it was so low in volume that it was not usable
, maybe that is the case ofr this post. And remember, the Jazz neck sounds so coool in the neck position, where it belongs 
The same pickup will sound louder in the neck, that is so natural. Once I got this crazy idea and put my Jazz neck in the bridge position, it was so low in volume that it was not usable
, maybe that is the case ofr this post. And remember, the Jazz neck sounds so coool in the neck position, where it belongs Similar threads
