So what does it mean when someone says a particular pickup is "hot"? Is it just the amount of sound it produces, or is it something about the sound quality? And is it a technical term of some sort, or just an overall quality of the sound, like "rich" or "full"?

If there's another thread that's already covered this, let me know.

Thanks, everyone!

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2008 MIM Strat w 3-tone sunburst
2002 LP Special Ebony Faded
2008 G-Dec
'59 Reissue Bassman 4x10 combo
TS 808
DS 1
Gretsch 6120DS (on loan)

"Hotness" in a pickup generally means it has a higher output.

Can give a fuller tone / help drive the amp harder / be more responsive to your picking etc...

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MIM Std Tele, MIM HSS Strat, Homemade Mongrel Tele, Blues Jr, Champ600, coupla pedals...sweeeet!

They also sound louder to me.

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More drive on the Amp heavier metal sound.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Usually, the 'hotter' a pickup is, compared to a standard issue pickup already on a guitar (or is a special feature of a particular model), the less your amp needs to work to get the same volume, crunch, bite & ballz, errrr I mean gutz.... LOL

It also can mean extra windings around the poles for more umphfffffff, if you understand that. It's kind of a 'Tim Taylor' (Allen) thing.... or the difference between a car's stock motor and a beefed-up &/or modified one.
The problem with all this is that pickups are given different output ratings related to their position, either near the bridge, near the neck or in between. Anything with a rating higher than such 'common standard' ratings (which vary company to company & model to model) is said to be "hotter'"..... than 'commonly issued'. All you can do is compare specs.

For the most part, the average perception is understood as the difference between single coils and humbuckers, but that is only part of the audio spectrum analysis. As a swords-man might say: It isn't how sharp your blade is.... it's the depth of the wound that matters.

IE: Your amp (settings & speaker/s), is as much a part of the resulting factor(s) as your pickups. To be informative as possible: Upgrades can be subjective. Weigh your options & do some research for your own information and collective -musical- knowledge.

Really, it mostly means higher output.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

Smokin' Joe Bonamasa started playing at 5 and could cut anything SRV had out at the time by age 7...... What exactly does that say?



BTW: Anyone here who uses a pick has really got to check out V-Picks! They are THE best! I personally recommend the Ultra Lite Medium Pointed.

haha its a movie quote. bad news tour/more bad news.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

OK...... what movie & what does it say a lot about?
IE: How's does a composer's age (when they write a tune) relate to or make any difference to how old anyone else is when they learn to play it? Do I need to see the movie to get the joke?

It is a British comedy called Bad News as Twelve Bar says. Think of it as a British Spinal Tap 'rockumentary' style film. It was by a group of comedians known as 'The Comic Strip' back in the 1980s I believe. Worth seeing even though its not quite as good as the all-conquering Tap.
When you see it, you will realise that this comment has tongue firmly in cheek!

E

It's a fake documentary about a terrible mid 80's metal band trying to make it. they have delusions of grandeur. if you can find a copy get it and watch it.

And your question is really the point of the joke, plus the fact he compares playing someone else's composition with composing said piece.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

"Tongue in cheek", eh? OK.... I get it now..... apparently the 'cheek' his tongue is implanted in ISN'T part of his FACE! LOL eeeewwwwwwwwww

Are we talking pickups or the opposite sex?

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2008 Am Dlx Strat HSS
2008 Am. Std. Ash Telecaster
2009 Gibson SG Standard
Hot Rod Deville 410
Blues Jr. NOS
Marshall MG100DFX
2006 Martin HD-28
1993 Alvarez Regent

BD: Looks to me like both..... at the same time!

Guitars have pickups..... so do mics and telephones....
So do Taxi Cabs, Escorts & Delivery Services.....
It's also what you do when you walk your dog..... (yuk!)
or (it's your job) if you have a pointy stick & a bag in the Park......