Electric Guitar Pickups
By: Curt BouchardThursday June 11, 2009
ENG 3060Professor Jared Grogan
What is it? A guitar pickup is a copper wire
wrapped around a magnet. They are used to “pick up” the sound
created by the strings and sends it to the amplifier.
Most guitars are equipped with two or more.
There are two types, single-coil and humbucker.
What does it look like?
The wires are wound around the bobbins. The amount of turns of the wire will determine the type of sound. More wraps will produce a higher output and more midrange sound. Fewer will produce a more open sound with greater clarity, yet less output.
What does it do? A magnetic pickup is a closed electrical
loop. When power is applied to the guitar, an
electrical current flows through the pickup.
The current creates a magnetic field which produces magnetic flux.
Why does it work? The vibration of the string will “vibrate”
the field and cause motion of the flux lines.
This generates an electrical signal. The signal generated is the sound
created by the frequency of the string.
Magnetic Flux
The vibration of the string passes through the flux lines created by the magnet. The electrical signal generated is the sound that is being produced by the frequency of the string. This travels through the cord connected to the amplifier, which amplifies the sound.
Types of Pickups Single-Coil
Humbucker
Only one coil wrapped around a magnet
Two coils wrapped around two magnets or a single magnet.
Differences? Single-coil pickups are the most
simplistic. They do their job but are subject to 60
cycle hum, the electromagnetic interference from outside sources.
Humbuckers are more complex. More wires and, sometimes, more magnets.
Eliminate 60 cycle hum and produce a deeper sound.
Conclusion
Simple mechanism with complex intricacies.
Rock on!
Image Sources
The Polyphase Motor/Generator http://www.stanford.edu/~hydrobay/lookat/big/pmg/fnfig-07.jpg
eHow
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Stewart-MacDonaldhttp://www.stewmac.com/freeinfo/i-5961/5961_1.jpg