General Pickup Variables

[technochild]

Hi there!

Thanks for all the knowledge on this site, it's been really helpful. I have successfully built my first single coil P90 with 8600 coils of 42AWG, Alnico 2 magnet, & paraffin pot. The pickup sounds absolutely amazing, and I love it (still in shock that it came out the way it did actually). Only issue I have is that my existing neck pickup is a tad louder, however my new one is more clear and has a bit more bite to it.

Now, I am trying to compile a list of all the pickup variables to actually have a better understanding of how each element affects sound. Through my research, there seems to be a LOT of conflicting takes on each subject so I thought I'd put it all in one post to see what you guys think.

Here are the variables I could come up with that most likely affect the pickup in some way or another -

1. # of Coils
2. Wire Gauge
3. Magnet Strength


I am currently under the impression that -

1. More coils = more volume but darker | Less coils = less volume but brighter
2. Larger wire Gauge = less definition and darker | Smaller wire gauge = more definition and brighter
3. Powerful magnet = less sustain and brighter | weak magnet = more sustain and darker


Any ideas? I realize that other elements affect tone such as cover material, pot material, etc... but I'm trying to focus on the winding element as there is WAAAYY more mis-information & conflicting information out there.

Thanks!

[big_teee]

Welcome to the Forum.
We have guys that make P90s all the time and can better answer your questions.
On the P90 that you made, Most P90s are wound with 10,000 turns.
Some more, some less.
For a Bridge P90, 10,000 or more, and for neck 10,000 or less.
Make sure you install the 2 magnets head to head, both N/N, or S/S.
It is not uncommon for the neck pickup to be the loudest, and you would want to lower the neck pickup, and raise the bridge pickup.
As far as Your 3 variables.
Too much of that is subjective, and debatable.
I'll leave those to someone else.
GL,
T