Winding 6 string bass pickups? Less winds than a 4??

[Lowstringc]

Hi,
I have wound some pickups for an experimental bass I build several years ago, and now I’m faced with a quandary I can’t find a direct answer to for a new project. I’m building 2 new 6 string basses, and am looking to make my own pickups for them (looking to wind a J and a P style)
I’ve been digging for how many winds, and the resistance for bass pickups, but I’m wondering if I need to alter those numbers for a 6 string pickup. Should I use less winds since there’ll be more wire?
From what I understand (poorly, I admit freely), the number of winds (and bobbin depth/width) are a more important factor than resistance per-say... does this mean that I should aim for number of winds first and then see about resistance second? I’m really not sure what to do...
Thanks for any help!

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Quick answer: Yes, the number of turns (winds) of the wire is a basic parameter of pickup design. Combined with the magnetic field strength, the number of turns determines the output level; how loud the signal is.

The DC resistance itself isn't as important. It mostly affects the harmonic peak of the signal. However, DCR is often used as a quick reading of the output level of common configuration pickups. Because a coil which has more turns on it, of the same size wire, will have a higher DCR. And DCR is real easy to measure with a meter.

In most standard coil and magnet configurations, 5000 to 7000 turns of wire will get your output level in the right range to work with amplifiers, passive, no preamp. If you want to use weaker magnets, then you may need more turns of wire to bring the output level up. If you use fewer turns, you may use stronger magnets to boost the output level. Or, send the weaker signal into a preamp to boost it. These are options which each have their tradeoffs in the sound shape and quality.

Come on over to the pickups thread if you want to talk over your pickup design ideas:

Magnets & Copper Wire: A Pickup Building Thread

 

[Lowstringc]

Thanks so much Bruce! And thank you for pointing me to the pickup thread also!