(almost) EVERYTHING About Pickups | Too Afraid To Ask
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- čas přidán 22. 05. 2024
- Output? Magnets? Resistance? Inductance?
What are pickups all about? What physical properties and materials define their sound? A plethora of viewer questions are answered in this episode of Too Afraid To Ask.
#pickup #tata #tooafraidtoask
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____________________________________________________________________ - Hudba
Output? Magnets? Resistance? Inductance?
What are pickups all about? What physical properties and materials define their sound? A plethora of viewer questions are answered in this episode of Too Afraid To Ask.
#pickup #tata #tooafraidtoask
More from CSGuitars:
Gain access to exclusive content at: www.patreon.com/csguitars
Join CSGuitars Discord - discord.gg/d7b6MY8
Buy CSGuitars Merchandise - www.csguitars.co.uk/store
Website - www.csguitars.co.uk
Contact - colin@csguitars.co.uk
If you did a course on building a pickup from beginning to end I'd be interested in paying for that.
Colin, what was that you were winding that looked like 2 halves of a single coil? Looked interesting.
This was wicked
"The physical relationship between the magnetism and electricity" is by far the deepest nerdic erotic trigger I've experienced in YT and some other tubes combined.
For the love of God - timestamps please
it feels illegal to watch a video this good for free
I'll gladly accept any donations. Thanks for the kind words.
Dude he has a Patreon
@@JuveriSetila yeah video is still free i would give him some cash if i had any tho :d
An ill eagle is a sick bird!
It is. You're under arrest.
As a physicist, I know explaining complex topics in depth can very quickly become very boring; whereas explaining a simplified version might lead to wrong conclusions. I think this was very well balanced - thoroughly explained, but not so much so that someone unfamiliar with the specifics wouldn't understand it
Can you fississists please change that eternal fississist into a proper English word? Fississist is just white noise, I can't stand that word.
He got the whole stacking of the windings wrong though about causing the sounding different in the magnetic field. As an EE with an emphasis in electromagnetics, I can tell you that it's the distributed capacitance that effects the sound of the pickup with short vs tall wound bobbins, esp into higher impedance amplifier input stages.
Why am I tempted to see if I can build an electric forge, heater or motor using guitar pickups after watching this video?
@@voornaam3191 what is proper English though? Each English speaking country has different spelling.
@@indridcold4210
Thanks, now I'm completely confused about everything again, good job.
The fact that only 240k people are subscribed as I type this is absolutely fkn criminal. Absolute fkn quality.
People obsess over the types of wood and joints in guitars and completely ignore what’s actually generating the signal.
Such people are "guitarded".
Actually, most people who obsess over the construction of the guitar are just as obsessive about their pickups. I have no idea where you get the oppinion that they ignore what's generating the signal at all never mind completely.
@@Relayer6a I'm talking about people who think tonewood is a thing, not the craftsmanship.
@@joshuabarron8535 I know what you meant. And those people most assuredly care about the pups, nut, bridge, etc... They probably care more than the people who don't think the guitar itself matters.
Besides, if it doesn't matter to you that's ok. But people telling others that it only matters if they think it does, is just self righteousness.
@@Relayer6a whatever
"When it sounds right it is right" something new guitarist don't learn fast enough. At least for me, I was basing my pickup height on forum discussions(they know everything🙃) till 3 months ago
Damn, man! You are a true treasure on CZcams, so many questions answered over the years; keep it up! Love your work!
Thank you!
@@ScienceofLoud 🤘🤘💪💪👏👏👏YES INDEED YOU ARE A TRUE CZcams TREASURE !!!
AND.... I AM SUBSCRIBED SINCE MANY YEARS AND THE CZcams ALGORITHM DOES NOT HELP YOU
AT ALL ! SHAME ON YOU "SO CALLED" CZcams !!!
OMG ! You just answered a question I have made to various CZcams guitar luthier/players like you and nobody never ever cared to read nor answered it !!!
I was going to start writing the same question to you having a weird Double Note that happened everytime I hammer-on any strings on some of my guitars specially when practicing WITHOUT an AMPLIFIER.
( BTW, I do not remember if it was more pronounce on the High non wound strings )
So, I happen to have a cheap practice Strat with NO pickups and I just tested it to hear if it has this Double Note problem and .....NOPE ....it does not happen on any string ! I should had noticed this did not happened on my Martín guitar, but I never did !!! Shame on me !!! Duhhhh....
I also called some excellent USA premier luthiers and ALL to my surprise, they said that my problem
was " STRATITIS " , which is a different problem for what I have read.
So now I ask you .....What is the diference between Stratitis versus Double note problem ?
And what if some of my Humbucker guitars also the Double note ISSUE ?
What should I do ?
Lower all the pickups on the problem Double Note guitars !
Please BE THE ONE THAT DOES A EXPLICIT VIDEO ON THIS ISSUE WITH NO AMP AUDIO EXAMPLES including the STRATITIS ISSUE TOO !!!
I am so happy now because of you !!!
You are my MASTER LUTHIER FROM NOW ON ! PERIOD !!!
THANK YOU AND MANY BLESSINGS TO ALL
ps. I hope you get to read my video suggestion !
And sorry for the length of the text !!!
It might be helpful to note that Seth Lover, inventor of the far-famed Gibson PAF humbucker, stated that the magnetic field of the permanent magnets in pickups extends upwards into the guitar's strings and MAGNETIZES them. They therefore generate their own mag field, which then penetrates the coil(s) beneath the strings. When any string moves, it necessarily moves its mag field with it, and the part of the field that penetrates the coil(s) below induces a small electrical current in said coil(s). THAT'S YOUR SIGNAL! I, too, used to think that the strings simply disturbed the mag field coming from the permanent magnet, but it isn't so. What IS so that matters is that the pickups WORK!😀
Laphroaig 10? You are truly a man of taste
*watches whole video
**googles “what is a peckup?”
But seriously love these videos, great content 😂
Nice comment, part of the charm of his videos. Somehow makes them more interesting, I certainly have to listen a little closer.
It reminds me of Mr. Scott on Star Trek. "The engines canna take much more of this, Captain! Ach, my poor wee bairns!"
@@JohnShalamskas This was a beautifully done video. But only understood/deciphered about 80-85% of his plethora of valuable information, due to my hearing issues(I'm almost deaf), and Colin's really thick Scottish/Irish Brogue, my problem, not his. There was a lot of info here to assimilate!! Great video!!
"peckup", "sund", "defferent"... I've never heard this accent before and I really got curious where it comes from. I couldn't identify at all.
Wee Scotland🏴....... hearts desire💜
I didn’t think I would find a 22 minute video about pickups that interesting, but I am happy to admit that I found it extremely well put together and very interesting! Cheers!
Not going to lie I half heartedly came into this video but after the first couple minutes I was hooked
Such a breath of fresh air when you finally find the video made by a true expert who is also good at explaining 🙏🏼
Colin can you PLEASE do a ‘What’s the Difference’ between Silicon and Germanium transistors in fuzz/boost pedals?
That is a really good request/question. I'd like to know too.
@@timmotel5804 I'm a little late, but fundamentally they have a similar sound because their transfer function is similar, much more similar than between transistors and tubes. From an engineering standpoint, germanium transistors may have an elusive quality to their sound due to their inconsistency. The properties of germanium transistors are much less consistent than modern silicon transistors, and their properties change much more with temperature, so devices built with them were temperamental and not two would sound exactly alike - I speak in past tense because they're no longer manufactured and any germanium effects you find now use new old stock parts, so they'll be gone soon. When using germanium, the same unit which sounds great in the summer might be unusable in the winter. Jimi Hendrix was known to keep several fuzz pedals with him to resolve this issue. Fuzz pedals built with germanium also have a lower maximum gain available for the most part because the majority of silicon transistors have higher gain factors than germanium transistors. It's important to remember that the differences between different types of transistors and tubes is only really audible when they're operating nonlinearly (distorting), especially if not using negative feedback in the circuit, otherwise circuits sound the way they do because of how they're designed. People will sell you on all sorts of hocus pocus, but there's nothing magical about germanium transistors - tubes on the other hand offer an appreciable difference in distortion characteristics. If you want to build a silicon fuzz that sounds closer to germanium fuzz circuits try a low gain transistor like 2N4123. You can't directly substitute an NPN transistor like that in a germanium circuit though and would need to find a PNP equivalent.
@@maudiojunky Thank You. Very informative. Best Regards
I guess I did it backwards, changing pups before knowing the science. Either way, thanks again colin!
"More resistance = more output, less resistance = lower output"
Not quite true. More windings equals more output, which happens to also make the DC resistance go up.
If your DC resistance goes up because you've used thinner wire, you won't get more output, you'll get less, due to the additional resistance.
Great video though. Awesome to see inside all those pickups
Yes! DC resistance is only a first order approximation of what's going on. In a coil, the resistance to current flow increases as the frequency rises. The AC equivalent of resistance is called "impedance" and is also measured in ohms. There is a reactive component to impedance, either inductive or capacitive, which means the voltage and current are out of phase. A stronger magnet increases the impedance. More coil turns increases the impedance and the DC resistance. Smaller wire increases DC resistance.
Now this is the most solid package of information on peckups i've seen so far, much appreciated.
As someone who works in manufacturing, I appreciate your understanding of the elements and how they interact with each other, as opposed to some people you can tell when they read a paragraph off of the internet and are trying to make it seem like they know it all.
I think I've finally gotten used to short heard Colin
Seth Lover's original humbucking pickup design had no adjustable pole pieces. They were only added at the request of the sales guys so that they would have a talking point with the Gibson dealers.
"Train your ears to actually listen, and forget about numbers and measurements... What matters is how it sounds."
YES, THANK YOU! I do my own adjustments to the action, intonation, and necks of my guitars, and it's so weird to me that a lot of people just adjust to measurements they find online.
I find the best playability and sound that my instruments will produce. I don't care what the measurements are. 🤘
Brilliant, simply brilliant! University quality Pickup course 101. I’m ready to enroll in Pickups 201.
That was a way more complicated subject than I expected. But man I can’t wait to see the finished project. I was *this* close to pulling the trigger on a Fender Dave Murray sig Strat back in the day but passed due to lack of funds.
This is flat out the single best high-level overview of the electromagnetic mechanics of pickup coils on YT (at the time of this writing). Attaboy, Colin. Slàinte à Ameireaga
Great vid! This answered so many questions I had
Can't believe these videos are free to watch, the amount of knowledge you put into these is amazing, great work as usual Colin.
Love every second of this. It's not so much that I was *afraid to ask* but rather, most of it were simply things I had never thought to ask myself before assembling my own guitar just now. Thank you so much!
Great stuff, very informative! Thanks!
thanks so much for mentioning "oh just turn up the treble on the amp to make up for a dark-sounding pickup" I mean for a totally clean sound that kinda sorta is a little tiny bit true but once you factor in ANY distortion it is definitely NOT the same thing LOL.
This is my favourite video you’ve done. I love this shit.
By far the best gear youtube channel: great animations, great (and scientific!!) explanation and great fun!
This the best video on pickups on the entire world wide web. ❤
Very well done! Explaining complicated stuff the easy way is a very rare gift!
GREAT FRIGGIN VIDEO!!! That cleared up so much confusion I had about pick ups, thanks! I’ve watched so many videos about exactly this end and none of them have been this helpful, appreciate it man!!🤘🤘🤘
DISCORD NOTIFICATION SQUAAAAAAADDDDDDDD
SQUAAAAAD
SQUAD!
Fascinating and informative. Well done, Colin.
That was fantastic and well produced too! Thanks.
Spot on, good graphics, well produced video, excellent summary! Information is well written and very correct.
This was so interesting from beginning to end, thank you Colin! During this video I had flashbacks to my college years 30 years ago for NDT(non destructive testing) of metallurgy class, eddy current/magnetic particle/math classes! Thanks for that trip too! Rock on Bro! :D
Thank you, Great primer!
Could you upload a one hour video of just the coil winder? That is so pleasing and relaxing to watch.
I know you don't make guitars anymore. And I think that if you made pickups that would be really awesome. I know I'd buy some.
I think it would be fun to watch you and ElectroBOOM build a low-wattage valve guitar amplifier together 🤘
Thank you for the fantastic information. Cheers!
Thank you. Great information flawlessly delivered.
I'm consistently amazed at just *how much* the sound of guitar gear is reliant on imperfections, or on recreating said imperfections from older versions of the gear, and coils are no different it seems.
I’m only 4 minutes in and this video is bomb. 😎
Your videos are getting really good, man! Keep it up.
Absolutely fascinating. I love the deep dive you have done. Thanks.
I wonder if anyone could tell the difference between machine-wound and hand-wound pickups in a blind test
No. It’s a wallet thing!
..Wondered the same as well..
Question: What happens if the pickup cover is made of brass? or even in the case of the humbucker ring. Just curious how would that affect the sound. I mean, I would guess its supressed to a small degree but does that actually translate to a "finer" sound.
Awesomely informative. Thank you so much.
Excellent video, learned tons.
DISCHORD SQUAAAD
You said about different magnets having different properties, do pickups that have both have a mix of properties, or is it different as there is a much stronger magnetic field?
I'm not sure I understand what you are asking. Can you detail your question a bit further for me?
@@ScienceofLoud yeah, I've seen some pickups that have alnico pole pieces with a ceramic bar below, and others marketed as hybrid pickups with both magnets in?
As always, super well explained. Keep it loud!
17:39 Sidenote: I see you drink Laphroaig as well? You sir, have very good taste in whiskey.
That's the best video I've ever seen talking about pick ups, you did a tremendous job, on the explanation (the Eddy currents one is 👌) and on the aesthetic. You've become one if not the best guitar technologie popularizer on youtube.
Absolutely BRILLIANT!!!! Most intellectual explanation I have ever heard about how pickups react and how the subtleties effect the sound!!! BRAVO. Thank you for making this video!!!
Super interesting. Thanks for posting.
I’ve started changing the inlays in the fretboard on all my upgraded guitars. From perfect abalone to simple cream or white clay it makes ALL the difference
You really have a knack for explaining technical topics in simple terms. I get a better understanding for every topic I have watched. Thank you and love the content!
This video is really winding me up. I think you gave it a nice spin though. There is a magnetic voice that keeps me watching. Not sure what to think yet, it's down to the wire.
I gave this comment a dislike
U pun'ce of shit
Great explanation, great visuals, just perfect! Thanks Colin :)
Thank you Collin, your contribution of knowledge to us guitar players to understand our instrument is an invaluable gift and I for one thank you for your time and effort that you’ve chosen to gift us
Just a superb educational video. Well done
This has to be the single most informative video about pickups ever made. Bravo Colin! 🤘👏💙
Wow that is a flipping awesome video Scotsman. I will be watching that several times and learning something every time I watch it. Just subscribed in the last week and I will be busy catching up! Thank you very much keep up the good work. God bless
This was a fantastic video, Colin. Thanks!
Easily one of the best pickup videos around. Thanks!
Brilliant video. Well done. Thanks for doing this.
Of course the beaswax for the potting needs to be from beas fed on organic wildflower meadows as that really brings out a depth of tone.
Fantastic video. This came across my suggestions randomly, but it was right up my alley. Thanks for all of this great information. It answered a lot of questions I've always had about pickup designs and tradeoffs.
Great video! Nice touch with the Laphroaig next to the brass.
A very well constructed lesson - a lot of great info to pick up here - thanks
Great video. Thank you for making it.
thank you, great info!
Awesome video! I've learned so much! Thanks
Great video. I’ve learned a lot! Thank you!
Amazed by quality of your video. Thank you❤
What a great video, I understood things I didn’t expect to understand. Subscribed.
Another video that is perfectly done. Great content, presented really, really well!
20:40 That guitar with a built in metalzone pedal is awesome!
This is hands down the best and most indepth explanation of all the varying parameters of guitar pickups I've ever seen and heard.
Excellent work and thank you. I'll be sharing this on several fb groups I'm involved with
That has totally blown my mind! Very informative video thank you 😊
Thank you for this in-depth education about pickups. Much appreciated.
you're such s treat to listen to! and tons of valuable information, everything's very well explained. cheers from finland!
Excellent video, thanks man!
One of the best vids I've ever seen in my life! Thank you!
Best pickup explanation on CZcams. It all makes sense now. Makes me want to try my hand at winding my own.
Well done! Thanks!
Absolutely amazing video. Thank you for such an in depth and well written masterpiece! I love to know the intricacies of whatever I'm working with whether it be music or any other hobby I'm into and this really scratched that itch.
Lotta correct info here, but some speculation as well.
Stong magnetic pull affects the string harmonics in a way that can make the note timbre sound harsh or nasal.
A thinner wire coil has more consistent impedance. The Q is lower, but it also extends into higher frequencies. Some players might interpret that as being less dynamic, but such a coil actually has increased sensitivity and dynamic response depending on how much of it is within the stronger flux lines from the strings.
Different core alloys also affect the Q. Even different types of AlNiCo have some effect on the Q, and the permeability of the core alloy affects output as much as the field strength. Finally, the electrical conductivity of the core affects inductance and the high freq roll off from eddy currents.
A Nickle cover does slightly roll off the highs, but has no significant effect as a baseplate. A Brass baseplate doesn't have nearly as much effect on tone as a Brass cover. A Steel baseplate slightly increases inductance, and the high permeability draws flux lines down through the coil, as well as reduce the field strength at the top of the poles.
There's some confusion about the effect of hand-winding. A more scattered coil is fatter and less efficient, and there's also increased capacitance and semi-shorts to consider as insulation is stretched thin or even cracked. That tends to roll off the highs, and a brighter sounding pickup can be interpreted as sounding "sterile". Pickups hand-wound with the old HF insulation wire tend to have lower capacitance and less semi-short issues than those wound with the old PE wire, and the less dense coil results in weaker lower note harmonics. The way that hits gain stages increases higher freq content-- sometimes interpreted as more dynamic, yet those same players would complain that a coil without any high freq loss may sound sterile?
In short, any guitar player might prefer a densely wound coil over a scattered one with random eddy-current losses depending on the inductance and core properties, the guitar it is in, the phase of the moon, etc. Guitar players can be a fickle and naïve bunch. It takes one to know one.
Great vid brother. Gotta be The Best video I've ever seen on this subject. Just Brilliant! Thanks.
Incredible info. Thanks for this.
this video is outstanding. you explain it so well, thanks!
Very informative. Thanks for sharing.
Learned a lot here. Things I'd never thought about, would never have asked about, now I know... Cheers.
Thanks for sharing all that tech in an entertaining and understandable way. I learned stuff!
The information density in this video is so high, I had to watch it twice.