Ratings on pickups????

[Mr. C]

I'm looking at a few pickups, SD, and some PAF from Customparts.com.
The PAF are rated at 8.48 for the bridge, and 7.85 for the neck. On the SD site I was looking at the JB and it has ratings for the D.C. resistance, and the resonant peak. So what do these categories mean (I imagine it has something to do with the output). So are the PAF ratings the D.C. or resonant peak??? HELP!!! and... thanks!!!

 

[Hard2Hear]

Those ratings (in ohms) are dc resistance. But the only real way those numbers really mean anything is when you are comparing pickups that are exactly the same to each other. Same magnets, same wire, same construction. Any of those variables change and the numbers go out the window as a way to compare pickups to each other.

H2H

 

[Rokket]

Yep, just put 'em in and play. Then you will know which one sounds right for you.... if that's an option...

 

[goldtopchas]

The resistance of the pick-ups relates to the output, but as mentioned it kind of doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. The actual tone is probably more important to most musicians. The ones I use are pretty high output. 13.5k for the bridge and 12k for the neck. I use a 76' jmp master vol. Marshall and I like to "push" the input of the amp for distortion.
If you use a pedal for distortion, or a solid state, or even a modeling amp, chances are that you'll wind up with a better tone using pick-ups with less output. I've found that high output pick-ups usually have more mids and highs than weaker ones. More of a "cut through" tone. Vintage models like "PAF's" are more warm and smooth sounding in my opinion. Of course, it all depends on the sound that you're going for and the amp & effects you use.

The resonant peak has to do with the frequencies that are most pronounced in the pick-ups response. Kind of like a speaker cab. response.
I think I saw a good bar graph on Di'marzio's site that showed bass, mids, and treble of each of their models as well as output. It was a good visual aid as far as understanding what the performance of each pick-up would be like.