matching pickups-ohm measurement

dijos · May 9th, 2008, 08:36 PM

I just ohm-tested a few pickups I have for a project, and I need some help. the neck p-90 is 8.6, and the tele bridge is 6.4. how close should they be? can I compensate by adjusting height? do I need to?

boneyguy · May 10th, 2008, 12:39 AM

Typically the bridge pickup has a bit more output than the neck pickup to compensate for less string vibration at the bridge compared to more vibration over the neck pickup.

In your case the opposite is true so you would probably have to compensate by having the P90 quite a bit lower than the bridge pickup. It's probably doable but you might have to spend a bit of time getting the height of each pickup just right.

Remember also that adjusting the height of a pickup will affect it's tone as well so you will probably want to have an ear open not only for a volume balance but also a pleasing tone from each pickup. It will undoubtedly result in a compromise of sorts not unlike any other situation.

May 9th, 2008, 08:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
dijos Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: St. Pete Age: 33 Posts: 107	matching pickups-ohm measurement I just ohm-tested a few pickups I have for a project, and I need some help. the neck p-90 is 8.6, and the tele bridge is 6.4. how close should they be? can I compensate by adjusting height? do I need to? __________________ "Kid, it takes a long time"-Danny Kalb to me in NYC, 1992

May 10th, 2008, 12:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
boneyguy Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: victoria b.c. Age: 50 Posts: 2,359	Typically the bridge pickup has a bit more output than the neck pickup to compensate for less string vibration at the bridge compared to more vibration over the neck pickup. In your case the opposite is true so you would probably have to compensate by having the P90 quite a bit lower than the bridge pickup. It's probably doable but you might have to spend a bit of time getting the height of each pickup just right. Remember also that adjusting the height of a pickup will affect it's tone as well so you will probably want to have an ear open not only for a volume balance but also a pleasing tone from each pickup. It will undoubtedly result in a compromise of sorts not unlike any other situation. __________________ "Shut up n' play yer guitar"