Current stock pickups

[Tim Plains]

Geek talk. Something I noticed browsing Mark's Guitar Loft just now.

Bridge pickups are traditionally hotter than the bridge by 0.5k or more. Both neck/bridge pickups measure the same on every new reissue MGL has in stock - both 7.7k or both 7.8k. Is this across the board or just a coincidence based on what Mark has at the moment?

If intentional, does anyone know when Gibson started matching outputs? For reference, he has a 2015 with a hotter bridge, so I assume it's very recent if intentional.

 

[Sct13]

My 2014 MTM has matched output Custom buckers, this pair isn't very "hot" but very well balanced in volume and sound good loud and clean (or loud and dirty) but they really sing when in the middle position, and backed off the volume knobs just slightly.

Neck 7.76k
Bridge 7.79k

 

[KBMelb]

I don't know when it started but my '15 TH8 is pretty balanced but hotter in neck; N-8.12 and B-8.04.

My new late '19 3pup B7 is N-7.77 B-7.86

I have a CC22 that is N-7.25 B-7.39.
May not count as it's a CC but maybe they were the inspiration for matched pups.

 

[framos]

My 2019 (wildwood) are also similar @ ~7.5k The output is not an issue, a small tweak on pickup heights could get things even enough.

IMO, another key point of having a slightly overwound pickup in the bridge is better balancing the EQ. A matched set with a great clear neck would usually be relatively too bright in the bridge, especially on lower output pickups as the CBs.