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Re: Question from a Newbie.

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Posted by TJ (from: ) on August 31, 2002 at 19:49:02:

In Reply to: Question from a Newbie. posted by Mad Dog on August 27, 2002 at 22:14:29:

No one is born knowing about guitar electronics, as much as some may wish to believe otherwise. My guess is the smart-asses who've answered you know less about guitar electronics than what they don't know. Like most of us, come to think of it. I'm assuming you're serious, otherwise why respond?

Magnetic pickups work under the following principle/fact of physics: an electronic impulse (and this is obviously just the basics) can be caused by moving metal in a magnetic field. (The reverse is true for electric motors, where electrical impulses cause motion in metal.)

Pickups, in a variety of ways depending on the underlying philosophy of the manufacturer/designer, create magnetic fields in which the metal guitar strings move, creating corresponding impulses that leave your guitar and go on to your amplifier and speaker. A guitar's tone has more to do with how these impulses are created, which gives the signature and character of the tone, than pretty much any other factor (as much as exotic electric guitar builders would prefer you believe). Put a chicken pickin' Telecaster pickup (or a Danelectro or old Gretsch pickup, for that matter) in the bridge spot one of Dimebag Darrell's signature axes and you'll have a hell of a time getting his sound. Put Les Paul pickups on a Strat, and it will sound more like a Les Paul than a Strat (if it retains the same wiring as a Strat), despite the whammy bar and lack of mahogany in the body.

Piezoelectric pickups are different but still similar. And if you were just kidding, go play on the porn sites, eh?

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: No one is born knowing about guitar electronics, as much as some may wish to believe otherwise. My guess is the smart-asses who've answered you know less about guitar electronics than what they don't know. Like most of us, come to think of it. I'm assuming you're serious, otherwise why respond? : Magnetic pickups work under the following principle/fact of physics: an electronic impulse (and this is obviously just the basics) can be caused by moving metal in a magnetic field. (The reverse is true for electric motors, where electrical impulses cause motion in metal.) : Pickups, in a variety of ways depending on the underlying philosophy of the manufacturer/designer, create magnetic fields in which the metal guitar strings move, creating corresponding impulses that leave your guitar and go on to your amplifier and speaker. A guitar's tone has more to do with how these impulses are created, which gives the signature and character of the tone, than pretty much any other factor (as much as exotic electric guitar builders would prefer you believe). Put a chicken pickin' Telecaster pickup (or a Danelectro or old Gretsch pickup, for that matter) in the bridge spot one of Dimebag Darrell's signature axes and you'll have a hell of a time getting his sound. Put Les Paul pickups on a Strat, and it will sound more like a Les Paul than a Strat (if it retains the same wiring as a Strat), despite the whammy bar and lack of mahogany in the body. : Piezoelectric pickups are different but still similar. And if you were just kidding, go play on the porn sites, eh?

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