PICKUP
FAQ'sThese are the most frequently asked questions we get about our pickups, which I have posted here as it saves me from re-typing all this stuff over and over when answering email questions.
Q: "Is the pickup I want to buy ready-to-ship?"
A: No, we build each pickup per order, at Classic Amplification we are a bespoke business, when you place your order we send you a payment request and then we build and ship the pickup(s). The turn around time is normally about 30 working days.
Q: "What is the difference in sound between the Classic RickTM Button-Top and Flat-Top pickups
A: None, it's mostly about the look, but a flat-top pole does allow the pickup coil to be slightly closer to the strings which can give a slightly different response from the button-top which is the classic vintage type.
Q: "What wire gauge will you use on my pickups?
A: Depends on the pickup type, and the customer's requirements.
- Classic Rick TM
pickups are normally made with #44 SPN
- Classic HB-V TM
vintage style humbucking pickups are normally made with #42 SPN or PE
- Classic HB-M TM
modern style humbucking pickups are normally made with #42 or #43 SPN
- Classic SC-S TM
single coil pickups are normally made with #42 HPN or HFV
- Classic SC-T TM
single coil pickups are normally made with #42 or #43 HPN or HFV
Wire types we use are:
SPN= Single build, Poly-Nylon coated
HPN= Heavy build, Poly-Nylon coated
HFV= Heavy build, Formvar (varnish) coated
PE= Single build, Plain Enamel coated
Q: "What Ohms will you make my pickups?
A: Depends on the pickup type, and the customer's requirements.
First a few words about Ohm readings because Ohm readings do not entirely or accurately describe a pickup's output. They only used as a means for an average person who does not make pickups and may have little understanding of pickup construction to get some idea about a pickups output for comparative use. An Ohm reading only tells us the DC resistance of the coil.
The signal output of a pickup depends mainly upon the number of turns of wire wound on the pickup which is known as the Turn Count or TC and is the number of turns of wire on the bobbin/former. The wire gauge and magnets strength also contribute to the output along with the size and geometry of the coil. The tension the wire is wound with is a critical factor because the wire being very fine (like a human hair) and can actusally stretch becomming smaller gauge and therefor giving a higher Ohm reading for the same TC number.
Pickups are actually wound to a TC not an Ohm reading, a coil winder winds the wire to the TC number at a certain tension.
Temperature effects the Ohm readings too, for instance if you take an Ohm meter reading on a coil wound with #44 wire and it reads 7,600-Ohms, then hold the coil in your hand for 4-5 minutes and take another reading you would get a higher Ohm reading perhaps 7,800-Ohms and finally if you place the coil in the freezer for 4-5 minutes and take another Ohm reading and you would see something like maybe 7,200-Ohms.
In the list below I use the Tilde ~ symbol for meaning "about" or "approximate":
- Classic Rick TM
~7.6K Neck, ~8.3K Bridge
- Classic HB-V TM
~7.2K Neck, ~8.2K Bridge
- Classic HB-M TM
~7.6K Neck, 8-10K Bridge
- Classic SC-S TM
~5.6K Neck, ~5.8K Mid, ~6K Bridge
- Classic SC-T TM
~6K Neck, ~8.5K Bridge
Depending on the pickup type customers can request their pickups wound to a different specification, at no additional cost on a special order basis.
Certain pickups cannot be overwound too much because of their physical constraints for instance their covers or bobbin size may prevent a larger coil.
If you want your own parameters (different wire or certain Ohms reading) different from ours listed above, it will be a special order and you will need to know exactly what you want. I cannot afford the time trading several emails trying to explain things and lead you a decision you should know when asking for special parameters. Special orders are non-returnable.
