Pickup impedance and output

[Guest MoJo]

Looking at replacement pickups and see figures of 6k, 6.3k, 7k impedance being quoted, but how does impedance relate to the characteristics of a pickup and it's output. Does a pickup with a lower impedance produce a higher output or is it the other way round?

Thanks

[Norris]

Usually the resistance of a pickup will be an indication of the number of turns on the coil. However the thickness of the wire will affect this (thicker wire = less resistance). The more turns on the coil, the higher the resistance and (usually) the hotter the output signal

Edit: But the strength of the magnet(s) also plays a part in the output level

Edited August 31, 2018 by Norris

[Grangur]

Isn't it really the inductance that is of more interest than the impedance?

After all, isn't it the signal is picked up by the metallic string moving in the magnetic field of the pickup and, through inductance, creating changes in the signal that will get amplified? As @Norris says, impedance is a guide to the number of turns, but putting a resistor in the circuit won't help the signal.

[Norris]

The output is directly related to the inductance, however it's much more difficult to measure than the resistance - hence the "rule of thumb" of using the resistance as a rough guide to output 

[Guest MoJo]

Thanks guys

 

[Dood]

I often chuckle at people measuring DC resistance as some sort of gauge of output "power". I'm sure there used to be an eBay seller who took pictures of their meter readings to go with the auction post.