The Steel Guitar Forum

What was the impendence range of the late 60’s to mid 70’s Emmons single coil pickups. What do the experts say is the most prefered? I have one reading 1548? Just curious how this one falls in the range of what Emmons was using at that time. Thanks for any insight.

I have a 67 S-10 PP with orginal PU 14.5
I also have a 2000 LeGrande II D-10 with 19.8
Larry

I had an early 70's Emmons S12, pickup was 12K ohms. Sounded fabulous, but I couldn't get used to the extra strings. Kenny, do you mean your pickup reads 15.48 K ohms? Modern ones are 18K or higher. I like lighter wound pickups, but I'm no expert..Jerry

my 66's pups are just under 14K

I was once, at a daylong meeting, told by famed pickup designer Mr. Bill Lawrence, that the resistance readings of a pickup had nothing to say as too how they sound. Also that "low" impedance designs, as used before Fender took the market by storm in the 50's and thus set new standards, had little to do with low resistance of the pickup bobbin.

I was explained the "hows" & "why's" but being an electronics bum, I did not quite get the bigger picture.

The truth is, that some very old pickups can read ridiculously low resistance and still blow many newer pickups with high reading off the stage.


... J-D.

Larry Moore wrote:I have a 67 S-10 PP with orginal PU 14.5
I also have a 2000 LeGrande II D-10 with 19.8
Larry

Larry is that on E9, C6 or both necks

Hi J D
All other things being equal, the resistance reading will give a relative indication of how many winds are in the coil. Fewer windings, brighter sound, lower output. You can demonstrate this by flipping between the coil taps on a pickup that is tapped. The difference is dramatic...Jerry

I don't own a vintage Emmons, but I seem to remember Buddy Emmons posted recently that the pups on the "Blade" are wound to about 17,500 ohms.

My 1975 Emmons S-10 measures 17.64K

I had 2 of John Hughey's black push-pulls (wood necks) and they were both 17.5K - Sure wish I had 'em back!