Are There Electric Guitar Pickups with Output So High That You Can’t Play Clean Tones?
The short answer is yes, certain pickups produce such high output that achieving a clean tone can be challenging, especially with high gain settings. This article delves into the nuances of electric guitar pickups, highlighting how output levels affect your clean tone and suggesting alternative solutions for achieving clarity and control in your playing.
Understanding High Output Pickups
High output pickups, like those from Bare Knuckle or EMG, are designed to produce a powerful signal. However, this strength can create issues when trying to play clean tones, particularly when using high-gain amplifiers or preamps. The increased output necessitates slight adjustments to the guitar's volume knob or additional gear to maintain a clean signal.
Personal Experience with High Gain Pickups
Much like my experience with a B.C. Rich ‘Gunslinger’ fitted with a Seymour Duncan ‘Jeff Beck’ humbucker, these pickups can be challenging to play clean. Despite their impressive sonic capabilities when paired with an early British all-tube amplifier or a Marshall 4x12, the combination of humbucker output and tube amplifier can blur the edges of a clean tone, leaving you with an almost distorted sound.
Factors Influencing Clean Tone
The ability to achieve a clean tone depends on several factors, including the type of amplifier or preamp used, as well as the specific pickup design. Higher wattage amplifiers, like Fender silver face models, are often more forgiving with high-output pickups, allowing for a cleaner sound. In contrast, classic Marshall amplifiers, with their lower wattage, may not be as accommodating to such powerful signals, requiring delicate balance between volume and gain.
Alternatives to High Output Pickups
For those seeking high output with better clean tone control, a guitar-mounted preamp or pedal can be a viable solution. These devices help to manage the signal before it reaches the amp, allowing for cleaner tones even when using high-output pickups. Additionally, Emphasizing the importance of a preamp, the Clapton signature Stratocaster is a standout example, utilizing a preamp to boost the signal and maintain clarity. By manipulating settings and pick attack, a player can achieve the desired tone without sacrificing quality.
High Output Pickups and Clarity
Among high-output pickups, the Clapton signature Stratocaster stands above the rest. Its preamp, powered by a 9V battery, enhances the output of its stacked humbuckers, significantly surpassing passive designs. The preamp inside the guitar boosts the signal to a remarkable level, setting the Clapton signature Stratocaster apart from other models. Its output, measured at 178 volts at 25dB midboost, is more than 139 times higher than a Gibson Les Paul and over 16 times higher than an active EMG 85 humbucker.
Conclusion
In summary, while high-output pickups offer incredible versatility and power, they can challenge the purity of a clean tone. By understanding the factors at play and utilizing alternative solutions, such as guitar-mounted preamps or pedals, players can maintain clarity and control, even when dealing with powerful signals. Whether you're a seasoned guitarist or a beginner, this knowledge is invaluable in achieving the perfect blend of volume and tone.