Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Sergio, can you explain the electrical and measurable parameter differences between short and fat wound single coils (like a P90) and tall and narrow wound pickups (like those on a Strat)? (assuming wire gauges and other construction parameters are equal).

...Dean

I read somewhere many years ago that a squat, fat coil would sound bassier than a tall, narrow one. True? Not True? I believe the electrical and parameter differences between both coil types to be dictated mainly by the number of wire turns (assuming wire gauge remains the same).

"Hey you're short & fat..."

There is a lot of great discussion on the Ampage pickup forum about design info like this. There are more than just dimension differences that determine the sound of a pickup. Things like magnet type and strength, wire thickness and amount, tension of the coil, arrangement of the coil in relation to magnetic fields, amount of metal in pickup, all play an effect in the sound. A P90 usually has a much higher inductance reading than your typical Strat type, but they also typically have a higher DC resistance, AC resistance, and capacitance too.

Thanks guys,

The things you learn from this place! Guess I'll get out the Fluke and start measuring...

...Dean