Guitar Pickups

In the process of playing the guitar, the sound is formed through several components - its quality is influenced by the technique and manner of the artist himself, but the sound pickup also has a significant effect on the sound timbre. For each guitar, it must be selected individually, of course, if you want your instrument to sound perfect.

A pickup is an electrical device for converting the wave vibrations of metal strings into an electrical signal. Such a device is necessary for playing stringed electric instruments, but it is also relevant for acoustic guitars, when you need to increase the sound volume or record a piece of music. The operation of this equipment is based on the principle of electromagnetic induction - the strings of guitars are usually metal, and this material is capable of perfectly conducting current.

In the field created by permanent magnetic sensors, the sound waves emitted by them cause the formation of a signal of a certain frequency. Then - after being fed to the amplifier via a radio system or ordinary electrical cables - the sound appears.

In fact, a guitar pickup is a magnet with a choke (inductor). Playing an electric guitar without a pickup is not possible because the sound will be very quiet. And the magnetic pickup transforms the resonance of the strings into current, which is fed to the amp, into the speakers, which gives us the opportunity to enjoy a unique guitar sound.

Pickups also play an important role in the sound production of an acoustic guitar. This instrument has a lively sound of indescribable beauty. But at concerts, especially in large halls, it is difficult for a musician to cover a large space due to the low volume.

Previously, a microphone was used for this, which was mounted in close proximity to the strings. But this method of amplification is irrevocably outdated, besides, the guitarist is limited in his movement and is forced to stand in one place, as if chained.

In addition, distortions of sound caused by extraneous noise in the speakers and microphone interfere with the artist's performance. But the pickup already built into the body of an acoustic guitar solves all the problems. At the same time, any melody sounds distinctly and loudly, without losing its specific naturalness.

Knowing the electrical parameters and technical features of pickups, it is easier to understand how the operation of these devices affects the sound of the instrument. To do this, we will consider two types of electromagnetic devices that are most often used to transform sound vibrations of guitar strings and are in demand by musicians using electric instruments.

Such devices are relevant only in the presence of strings made of ferromagnets - materials based on iron, which also include other elements and alloys: gadolinium, nickel, cobalt, etc. These devices include a choke and magnets.

They fall into two categories of devices.

• Passive, transmitting sound without conversion. These are the most primitive devices with a simple circuit. In this case, the high inductance of the guitar is caused by the high resistance of the magnetic pickup and due to the significant number of turns on the coil. This leads to an increase in the mid-frequency vibrations that the human ear picks up best, and, in fact, determines the loudness of the sound of instruments with passive pickups. But using such components, you need to take into account the likelihood of failures: attenuation of wave vibrations of the strings, deterioration of the quality of high frequencies when adjusting the tone and sound.

• Guitar transducers with active pickups have a small number of turns in the choke, so the resistance does not increase much. As a result, the low and mid frequencies do not diminish, although the sound - although it spreads over a wide range - does not reach the required power.

Electromagnetic transducers are produced in accordance with different musical styles and have their own characteristics.

• Single coil devices Are a kind of pioneer among power tool accessories. These are products with one choke equipped with copper turns and 4–6 magnets. The single provides clear loud sound, but has one significant drawback - in the absence of a screen, it is able, like an antenna, to attract low radio frequencies, which leads to the appearance of extraneous noise. To prevent this from happening, it is advisable to simultaneously use another pickup of any category. Sound blurring is possible when it is distorted (distortion), when the signal limits are limited on both sides.

• Humbucker consists of two singles with two chokes, simultaneously connected in antiphase. If the winding is of high quality, you can not be afraid of interference - the noise from the coils is mutually neutralized. In this case, the sound vibrations are constant. This type of pickup provides a really spacious, balanced sound even in quiet areas, eliminating the pronounced overtones. Also worth mentioning is the rail-mounted humbucker, which features cleaner sound reproduction and uniformity.

For acoustic guitars, including those with nylon strings, another type of device is suitable - piezo pickups. The vibrations of the nylon calibrated line are best transformed by the piezo transducer. Such a device can be removable and stationary.An example of this is a "tablet" that can be mounted on the outside and inside of a guitar body, and a "stick" - a pickup that is installed in the body of the instrument by a professional craftsman.

But there are also universal plug-in devices that transform waves into sound that can be put on acoustic instruments with both steel and nylon strings. These are the Acoustic Soundboard Transducer and Under-Saddle Transducer (AST and UST) pickups. They can be mounted inside the guitar on the stand and under the saddle. Some sensors are attached to the instrument with a special clothespin.

Interestingly, due to the huge assortment, the question of choosing a pickup remains open. The cause of the problem is the impossibility of checking the device and uncertainty about the benefits of such a purchase. Therefore, we have a specific task - to find a suitable sound for the guitar. Guitarists who are versed in this advise you to simply familiarize yourself with the characteristics of different converters.

Here are the options for instruments for bass guitars.

• Single-coil - a magnetic pickup, impeccably suitable for solo, with the help of it the bass is perfectly readable in the mix, heard against the background of other instruments, but sometimes the phonite is not intended for extreme "metal".

• Improved Single - Split-coil model, devoid of pickup drawbacks: pickup and interference.

• Advanced Option - Humbucker, converts signals from all strings, has a deeper sound, but the sound may be washed out in the mix. It is used for very "heavy" styles.

• Similar sound - Hum-canceller, produces a less saturated sound, but absolutely no phonit.

Pay attention to the P-style pickup with two coils: it reduces noise and enriches the sound with overtones. Ideal for rock, blues and soul styles. The J-style pickup, used for pop, funk and blues genres, has similar parameters.

For a classical guitar with nylon strings, professionals choose piezo pickups - they transmit all the known effects, perfectly conduct the sound, although they give it a somewhat unnatural shade of plastic. Usually these are all the same elements like Humbucker and Single, but in the first case the sound output is more powerful, and in the second it is not so dense and with the presence of insignificant noise.

Connecting pickups for different guitars involves certain steps.

• Installation on an acoustic device will require the transducer to be secured to the body in the resonance cavity, close to the strings. Then you need to lead the wire to the bottom of the deck, cut in the entrance and install the sensor. The power button and volume control are located in a convenient place. The classics are also equipped with piezoceramic Velcro devices: outside or inside.

• On a bass guitar, frameless sounds are fixed with bolts or screws on a rubber gasket. Sometimes soldering is required - similar to connecting to an electric guitar. You will need a blowtorch, solder and rosin, it is better to entrust this type of installation to a specialist.

When tuning, you should avoid touching the instrument with the pick - just move it away from the strings. Adjusting the sound begins with setting the volume to the center, and the amplifier remains in its normal position. Tightening and loosening the screws adjusts its height - for a deep sound, lift it closer to the strings. Adjust the cores with a screwdriver.