Why no output in millivolts?

[Kent S.]

Re: Why no output in millivolts?

Bear in mind that that output rating is the A string alone, pups at standard height,A 440, RMS voltage measured 350mS (or so) after the initial attack into a 100k load. Like the guy said, a lot of variables, a bright sounding pup might sound a bit louder than one that warmer, but shows a louder signal.
I like the way DiMarzio does it and understand it; However, the SD way of using bars is just as good. It is a subjective indicator based on a rough set of variables ... some the the DMZ specs don't tell the whole story there ... such as some pups don't show much difference dB wise (according to the voltages shown),but that certainly isn't the case. Maybe if you had some mechnical arm using a particular gauge of pick, with a particular gauge of strings, with all measurements equal (pup height, angle, poles), one guitar set up, and then strummed all six strings, with a set pressure, and then did the mesurement, then yeah that might get a bit closer to something more exacting, but that's a lot of money still for a purely sci-tech process.

 

[Metalblaze]

Re: Why no output in millivolts?

...and then strummed all six strings, with a set pressure...

I think this is the most difficult variable to control. Maybe Artie's calibrator could be the answer. Without interfering strings and guitar woods.

 

[sanrafael]

Re: Why no output in millivolts?

The better way, I believe, is to vibrate a small metal armature over the pickup at a calibrated frequency and amplitude, and use that as a reference.

Artie, I like the idea with vibrating peice of metal. I suppose you could use a short section of a stiff guitar string, like an unwound G, further stiffened with a non-metallic material. The more the material is like a real string, the more accurate the measurement will be from pup to pup. The mechanical drive must avoid making a changing magnetic field that would affect the pickup response directly.