Snake Aces
Singlecut Slut
Re: Why are hot pickups the trend these days?
Just like most hot wound pickup users will usually find the one spot that works for them. That does not mean that is the only spot those pickups work in. There is no "one spot" fits all saying when it comes to any kind of pickup. I understand you are trying to say some hot pickups can have more useable range, however, in the process you said some things that were not explained well (if at all).
Anyway, I tried moving my Jazz neck 1/4" away from the strings just to prove my point and it did not sound weak or terrible. It was full of chime, still had bass and plenty of volume. So, I decided to try the same with an Alnico II Pro on another guitar. The results were also fantastic.
I find that vintage humbuckers sound good in one spot. Wasn't trying to imply some law of pickup setting, of course it's not going to be the same spot for everyone. It's good that you found the one spot that your jazz pickup works in for you. Your measurements aren't far off the strings at all though.
Try moving a vintage bridge pickup 1/4 inch away and see how it sounds. With a Tone Zone it get more dynamic range and takes on some vintage pickup characteristics at this distance. With a Seth Lover it just sounds weak and terrible. Hence what I was talking about . . . there's more range you can adjust a high output pickup and get usable sound. You can't make a vintage humbucker sound high output, no matter how close you raise it to the strings.
Just like most hot wound pickup users will usually find the one spot that works for them. That does not mean that is the only spot those pickups work in. There is no "one spot" fits all saying when it comes to any kind of pickup. I understand you are trying to say some hot pickups can have more useable range, however, in the process you said some things that were not explained well (if at all).
Anyway, I tried moving my Jazz neck 1/4" away from the strings just to prove my point and it did not sound weak or terrible. It was full of chime, still had bass and plenty of volume. So, I decided to try the same with an Alnico II Pro on another guitar. The results were also fantastic.