Don't take the DCR as an absolute measure of output. You also need to know the wire gauge used and the magnet type. Alnico 2 is less powerful than Alnico 5 (and which are both a lot less powerful than ceramics or neodymium magnets).
Smaller wire (higher wire gauge value) means that you can fit more turns on the same bobbin, and it's the number of turns that along with the magnet power, determines the output signal strength. Moving down from 42 AWG (typical standard coil wire size) to 43 AWG, the resistance per unit length of the wire goes up by approx 29%. So for the same number of turns, the 43 AWG winds will have roughly a 29% higher DCR. But you use 43AWG to fit more turns on, so the output goes up, but the longer length of wire also pushes up the resistance. So you really need to know the magnet and the wire gauge to really judge output levels. An 11.8k 43AWG pickup won't have 30% more output than an 8.6k 42 AWG one, as most of that will be taken up simply by the increased wire resistance.
I know the DiMarzio PAF will use 42 AWG, but Tonerider don't say what gauge is used on the Rocksong bridge unit, but I am guessing that it is 42 AWG, though the Alnico 2s will reduce the output compared to Alnico 4 or 5.
The Rocksongs are marketed as "our perfect hybrid-vintage set", so would seem to be emulating the classic Seymour Duncan JB bridge and Jazz neck combination.
Unless you are playing a lot of rock, then to me, JB s really don't make sense. I've fitted one to a LP copy, and removed it because it sounded far too thick and loud, with not a huge amount of dynamics. Difficult to get a clean sound without pushing the amp into overdrive. I've also fitted an IronGear JB-alike to a friend's guitar, and I didn't like that either (though they were happy).
It's hard to recommend different pickups when your style of playing really asks for a PAF style pickup. Now I'm sure the Tonerider Alnico 2 or Alnico 4 bridge pickup would sound different to the DiMarzio PAF, but I don't know if it would sound different enough for you.
The Generators are out-and-out rock machines, and I really don't think that's what you're after.
If you can get them the new Tonerider Birmingham set would be worth considering, with a 5% underwound neck and 5% overwound bridge with Alnico V magnets, so a reasonably powerful bridge and a cleaner sounding neck, but without going over the top. https://tonerider.com/product/birmingham/
Or maybe you could consider something very different and go for standard humbucker sized Gretch-style pickups. Clean and twang but still with enough power for a decent overdriven sound.
The Tele isn't a totally different style of guitar to your G&L, but there will still be some differences imparted on tone even if using the same pickups. So it is very hard indeed to say what a pickup I know about will sound like in your Tele. The chamber won't make it sound like a semi-acoustic (you'd need a much different construction method to achieve that), it just makes the guitar lighter, so sound-wise it would be just like a standard Tele.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Simon Barden
