The guitar pickup is the most important electronic device you’ll ever place on your instrument. The pickup sits just above the strings, where they meet the fretboard, and captures the vibrations of each note played. Its job is to transform those vibrations from a physical signal into an electrical signal that can be processed by your amp and other effects pedals. The pickup’s job isn’t limited to translating string vibrations into electricity; it can also add sonic coloration and character. For example, some pickups produce what are termed “coil-voices,” which are similar to strings being plucked at different points along their length. Others produce “hybrid” tones that blend multiple notes together to simulate an acoustic instrument with many strings or a single note played on an electric guitar.
How Amps Work
For the most part, guitar amps work in the same way as record players, tape players, and even computer sound cards. The signal from your guitar is converted into an electrical signal, which is then transferred to an amplifier’s input. The amp then takes the electrical signal and “amplifies” (increases in voltage) it in order to produce an output that reaches your speaker. A guitar amp can be broken down into its basic parts: the speaker, the power amplifier, the speaker cabinet or case, the controls, and the speaker selector. The speaker is the part of the amp that actually converts the signal from the guitar into sound waves. The most common type of guitar speaker is the dynamic, or “piezo,” type, which is what you’re likely to encounter in amplifiers. The power amplifier is what transforms the signal from the speaker into sound. It does this by multiplying the signal and boosting the volume up to the level that reaches the speaker cabinet. While the power amplifier is necessary for getting the signal from the guitar to the speaker, it can be replaced by a separate, smaller amplifier if you don’t have a large enough amp to handle a complex recording scenario. A small floor-based amplifier can be used to mic a guitar amp without the need for a large, complicated recording setup.
What Makes Up a Sound?
In order to understand what makes up the sound of an amp, it’s important to first understand the underlying components of the signal that the pickup is capturing. The signal is based on the vibrations of the guitar string. The string is made up of two pieces of material: the string-body, which is the portion of the string that vibrates, and the string-fret, which is the portion of the string that makes contact with your finger. This combination is what creates the physical signal that is transferred to the pickup. The vibration of the string is constantly changing. If you’re playing a note on your guitar, you’re causing the string to move back and forth between two points (usually the bridge and the nut). These vibrations are what make up the sound of the guitar.
Guitar Pickup Types
You can categorize pickups into three types: magnetic, solid-body, and piezo. Magnetic pickups are typically associated with vintage tones and tend to produce warmer, lower-mids and bassier tones. These are the most commonly found in electric guitars, although they’re also used in fine acoustic-electric and archtop-style instruments. They use a pickup coil with a magnet in it to convert the guitar’s signal into an electronic signal. Solid-body pickups are the most common types found in electric guitars, basses, and even some acoustic-electrics. They use a single, broad-frequency magnetic field to capture the vibrations of the guitar and turn them into an electronic signal. Piezo pickups are the least common types of pickups and are typically found only in acoustic-electrics. They use a piezoelectric element (a quartz crystal) to convert the string’s vibrations into an electronic signal.
Electronic Guitar Bridge and Tailpiece Assembly
Next, the signal is routed to the bridge and tailpiece assembly. The bridge is located directly above the pickup, where it connects the strings to the guitar body. The tailpiece connects the guitar strings to the bridge. The strings are made up of two pieces of material: the core, which is made of metal and is the same thickness throughout, and the outer wrap, which is made of a variety of materials. The bridge is responsible for transferring the string’s vibrations to the body of the guitar. It does this by translating the string’s motion into a linear motion, which is then amplified by the body of the guitar. The tailpiece is what connects the string to the guitar body. It does this by spinning the string around the guitar body and amplifying the motion. The tailpiece can also be replaced by a block-style or a whammy bar, which allows the string to vibrate freely.
Combination Bridge/Tailpiece Assembly
Bridge/tailpiece assemblies can vary in design, but they usually have six components: a bridge that connects the strings to the body of the guitar, a tailpiece that connects the guitar strings to the body, a tuner, a potentiometer that sets the tension on the strings, a tremolo bar (also known as a tremolo bridge or whammy bar), and a tremolo arm. The bridge is where most of the action takes place and is responsible for transferring the vibrations from the strings to the body of the guitar. The tremolo bridge allows for vibrato effects and is sometimes referred to as a vibrato tailpiece. The tremolo arm creates a motion between the strings and the body of the guitar, which is then amplified by the body.
Electronics and Controls on the Rear Side of the Guitar Combo Amp or Head
Your amp or head also includes a variety of electronics that convert the physical signal from the pickup into an electrical signal and pass it to your speaker. This includes a preamplifier, a power source (usually a 9-volt battery), and a tuner. A preamplifier allows you to connect your instrument to another source such as a recording device or a power amp, or it can be used to power a guitar amp. The power source is necessary in order to run your instrument and is generally a small 9-volt battery. The final component is the tuner, which allows you to tune your instrument and keep it in tune.
Final Tips
Guitar amps are fairly complex devices and require a fair amount of maintenance and care. If you’re looking to invest in a quality guitar amp, it’s a good idea to do some research and make sure that you purchase an amp from a reputable manufacturer. Make sure that your amp has a good warranty and that you take care of it by following the manufacturer