What is a pickup?

[WallsOfJarrow]

Hey, whats a pickup on an electric guitar? and What does it do?

:)

[da_ardvark]

Basically it detects the motion and frequency of each guitar string and generates an small electrical current that can then be put thru a preamp and power amp to allow for really loud volume. If you look at any electric guitar you'll see them on the top of the body. There are different number of pickups depending on the type of guitar. Some have one, some two, some as many as 5.

[markc2005]

yer its basically a magnet or several magnets with coils of wire wrapped round them, here goes the bit of physics:
The whole principle they work on is electromagnetic induction, the string when picked vibrates through the magnetic flux lines of the magnet in the pickup and thats induces a alternation current in the coil.
As mr ardvark said the frequency of the alternating current depend on the frequency that the string vibrates and thats where ya get youre sound from when its amplified. :p

[elklandercc]

Just a heads up, its good to put threads in the right section and use a proper title as well.

[rockonn91]

hahaha I personally love the title.

[WallsOfJarrow]

Just a heads up, its good to put threads in the right section and use a proper title as well.

Sorry. I just had to put that title on there. Next time I'll put it in the right section. Thank You.

n0w i'M a L33t hax0r!!!

There is no spoone - THe MatriX

[Weslaba]

Might wanna keep the wh0le num83rs th1ing t0 a m1n1mum. M1ght dr1ve s0me of us f0lks 1nsane. :rolleyes:

[PRSplaya]

Moved to the correct section, and fixed the title of the thread ;)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/PRSplaya/threadmoving.jpg

[da_ardvark]

Might wanna keep the wh0le num83rs th1ing t0 a m1n1mum. M1ght dr1ve s0me of us f0lks 1nsane. :rolleyes:

I second this motion :cool: