Interpreting Pick-up Specs.

[Big Red]

Hi Guys,

I have a general idea on how to read them, and have looked up of the meanings for output (in millivolts), and DC resistence, but these explanations look like they were written by a Trekie. Can someone dumb it down a bit for me? Here's what I am currently assuming:


Dimarzio Super Distortion

Output: 425mv (sheer volume)
DC resistence: 13.68k (distortion level)

Is this assumption correct? Thanks.

[-Rhaab]

i'll agree with the output assumtion, i havent tried enough pickups to quite make it all out yet

[StevenMikel]

You're right about output but,the higher the output the more gain you'll have.D.C. resistance has more to do with tone,the higher the d.c. resistance the darker the tone,the lower the dc resistance the brighter the sound.DC resistance is also an indication of output but,I'm not sure how.Seymore Duncan uses dc resistance as reference to output,they don't give milivolts in any of they're pup discriptionsnI hope I helped some.

[Roadstar]

Originally Posted by Big Red

Hi Guys,

I have a general idea on how to read them, and have looked up of the meanings for output (in millivolts), and DC resistence, but these explanations look like they were written by a Trekie. Can someone dumb it down a bit for me? Here's what I am currently assuming:


Dimarzio Super Distortion

Output: 425mv (sheer volume)
DC resistence: 13.68k (distortion level)

Is this assumption correct? Thanks.

the resistance has nothing to do with dist level!
as a matter of fact the resistance is more about how clear a pup will be
like the HS-3 or HS-2 is 23.72K and it is NOT a hot pickup at all
the 14K super distortion is much hotter in output

[Big Red]

Originally Posted by Roadstar

the resistance has nothing to do with dist level!
as a matter of fact the resistance is more about how clear a pup will be
like the HS-3 or HS-2 is 23.72K and it is NOT a hot pickup at all
the 14K super distortion is much hotter in output

Thanks, now I understand.


Cheers