Whether or not hotter pickups are better is a matter of opinion. Some guitarists prefer the sound of hotter pickups, while others prefer the sound of lower output pickups.
What are hot pickups?
Hot pickups are pickups that have a higher output voltage. This means that they produce a stronger signal, which can make your guitar sound louder and brighter. Hot pickups are also more sensitive to the dynamics of your playing, so they can help you to create a wider range of tones.
Advantages of hot pickups
Hot pickups have a number of advantages, including:
- Louder sound: Hot pickups can make your guitar sound louder, which can be useful in some situations, such as when you are playing in a loud band or in a noisy environment.
- Brighter sound: Hot pickups can also make your guitar sound brighter, which can be useful for playing certain genres of music, such as metal or rock.
- More sustain: Hot pickups can also increase the sustain of your guitar, which can be useful for playing long lead guitar solos or for creating a more powerful sound.
- Greater versatility: Hot pickups can be more versatile than lower output pickups because they can be used to create a wider range of tones. For example, you can use a hot pickup to get a clean, sparkling sound or a heavy, distorted sound.
Disadvantages of hot pickups
However, hot pickups also have some disadvantages, including:
- Muddy sound: Hot pickups can sometimes produce a muddy sound, especially when they are used with a high-gain amp. This is because hot pickups are more sensitive to the low frequencies of the strings.
- Feedback: Hot pickups are also more prone to feedback, especially when they are used with a high-gain amp. Feedback is a high-pitched squealing noise that can occur when the pickups are too close to the strings or when the amp is set to a high volume.
- Less dynamic response: Hot pickups can sometimes have a less dynamic response than lower output pickups. This means that they may not be as responsive to the nuances of your playing.
- Higher cost: Hot pickups can be more expensive than lower output pickups.
Ultimately, the best way to decide whether or not hotter pickups are right for you is to experiment with different pickups and see what sounds best to you. There is no right or wrong answer, and it depends on your personal preferences and the type of music you play.
Here are some additional factors to consider when choosing pickups:
- Type of pickup: There are two main types of pickups: single-coil and humbucker. Single-coil pickups are brighter and more articulate, while humbucker pickups are fuller and warmer.
- Position of the pickup: Pickups can be positioned in different places on the guitar, such as the bridge, neck, and middle. The position of the pickup will affect the sound it produces. Bridge pickups are brighter and more aggressive, while neck pickups are warmer and mellower.
- Impedance: Impedance is a measure of the electrical resistance of a pickup. A pickup with a higher impedance will produce a brighter sound, while a pickup with a lower impedance will produce a warmer sound.
