My New 'Signature' Humbucker:

Robert Herndon said:
Really???

So 355Mv would be 710Mv for both coils???
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Yes, on the actual guitar I think that would be more accurate.

If you have a good meter (like a fluke) you can set it to AC volts and hook the guitar up to the meter.
The meter might have "hold," which records the highest voltage and keeps the reading on display.
But on an RMS AC (normal) voltmeter it should read the max output when strumming the guitar.
I think it will be quite a lot more than 355 mv.

For a singe coil PU, you should be able to get 350 mv at least.

When that is measured, the volume on the guitar should be set to 10.
 
Robert Herndon said:
Really???

So 355Mv would be 710Mv for both coils???
Click to expand...
Yes, on the actual guitar I think that would be more accurate.

If you have a good meter (like a fluke) you can set it to AC volts and hook the guitar up to the meter.
The meter might have "hold," which records the highest voltage and keeps the reading on display.
But on an RMS AC (normal) voltmeter it should read the max output when strumming the guitar.
I think it will be quite a lot more than 355 mv.

For a singe coil PU, you should be able to get 350 mv at least.

When that is measured, the volume on the guitar should be set to 10.
 
I've been working on putting my own band together for a while. It's a slow process, but I am already designing logos and that sort of thing. I've decided to name my band "No More Bullshit" and this might be a good moniker for my pickup...
 
Robert Herndon said:
@Amp Mad Scientist - I am always about 2/32" from the strings....
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You had me curious, so I just checked the five '70s DiMarzios that are in my tool box. They all seem to be within 12.5-13.5.

What I'm more curious about, is why so close to the strings? 1/16" is real tight, and with higher output pickups, there is more of a magnetic field pulling on the strings messing with tuning, intonation, and sustain. I'm running around 3/16" or so these days to get more vibration out of the strings and work the amp a bit more. I think that the norm has always been about 1/8", but I've been noticing in photos of all the guys from the sixties and seventies (Page, Kossoff, Hendrix, many others), they are sinking the pickups pretty deep into the guitars, and they're using stock Gibson and Fender pickups.
 
SG John said:
You had me curious, so I just checked the five '70s DiMarzios that are in my tool box. They all seem to be within 12.5-13.5.

What I'm more curious about, is why so close to the strings? 1/16" is real tight, and with higher output pickups, there is more of a magnetic field pulling on the strings messing with tuning, intonation, and sustain. I'm running around 3/16" or so these days to get more vibration out of the strings and work the amp a bit more. I think that the norm has always been about 1/8", but I've been noticing in photos of all the guys from the sixties and seventies (Page, Kossoff, Hendrix, many others), they are sinking the pickups pretty deep into the guitars, and they're using stock Gibson and Fender pickups.
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I can't get a sound I like unless I am right up against the strings. I discovered this when I had the opportunity to look at one of Angus Young's SG's in person. Angus lowered the pole pieces and run the pickup right up against the strings. Years later, this was confirmed by Fil 'Solo Dallas' Oliver when he wrote an article about Angus' guitars.

I have no issues with magnetic pull or sustain. If you listen to the 'held notes' in some of my recordings, they a dead-solid with no oscillation.

I've also seen the low pickup adjustments that you mentioned and I've tried it. It was an absolute disaster. No gain. Low volume...it was almost depressing.

I think the reason Kossoff, Page and the like ran them so low is because they (at least to me) play with very low gain. Could that be the reason???

My new DiMarzio pickup was purpose-built for being close to the strings. I posted above about how they reduce the magnetic pull.
 
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syscokid said:
Welp... I hope all this mumbo jumbo adds up to a pickup that you're going to enjoy... :cheers:
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Yes! Me too!

I don't understand all of this, and that's one reason I quit building pickups from my junk box.

Don't get me wrong, YelloStrat sounds good and the modified (A4) Artec Classic Standard PAF is a good pickup. However, when I switch guitars, YelloStrat makes quite a bit less gain.

The main points behind this pickup was to increase output while reducing magnetic string pull, place emphasis on enhanced mids and tighten bass response.

The dude at DiMarzio told me that it was a real pleasure to work with me on this project in comparison to the guys who call them looking for the "bell chime" single coil tone or those who want to "Sound Like _____."

Based on my playing style, I decided to call this the "Neanderthal."
 
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