High Gain to Toaster Conversion?

drathbun · Post by **drathbun** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 12:28 pm

Is there any other difference between a high gain pickup and a toaster other than the higher number of wire wraps? Is it possible to unwrap a high gain to the point it is at a vintage toaster level, like 7.5K? Would it sound the same?

jps · Post by **jps** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 1:35 pm

There are several differences between the two pickups including but not limited to the type of construction, magnet type, number of magnets, etc. If you want a toaster sound, get toasters; you can probably trade your hi-gains to someone towards toasters.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 4:06 pm

the toaster is scatterwound ... that changes the tone ... the high gain is hotter and dirtier sounding ... the toaster is cleaner and more "jangly" sounding ...

drathbun · Post by **drathbun** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 4:29 pm

Thanks Jeff(s)! As a follow up; since I only really use the bridge pickup on my 320JG, would there be a problem in just replacing the bridge high gain with a toaster (other than the look of course).

jps · Post by **jps** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 5:26 pm

No problem at all.

beatlefreak · Post by **beatlefreak** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 5:28 pm

No problem with swapping out one pickup at all. You could even get a toaster cover to replace the cover on your high gain.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 5:40 pm

the toaster is a good pickup and some prefer the look and sound to the high gain ... it makes for a good neck pickup ... it can be replaced with a screw driver and a soldering iron ...

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 7:01 pm

And unwinding a high gain down to the 7.4k toaster range does approach the sound of the toaster, but the magnet type differences can still be heard. I did just this on my bass pickup before deciding to get a toaster, just to see if I'd like the sound.