FAQ

The main factor in an instrument’s sound is the type of wood used in its construction, and each wood produces its own tone. The basic character of a guitar is defined by the body wood, while the neck wood colors that sound.

In general, the hands can produce a clear, articulated sound or a rounder, darker tone, depending on the player’s technique.

Solid maple necks are said to sound brighter with more attack, while maple with a rosewood fretboard sounds warmer and rounder.

A device that converts vibrations (such as from a string) into an electrical signal. The most common pickups are magnetic and piezoelectric.

The guitar’s sound is produced by the body and neck woods, while pickups emphasize or color that sound as they convert it into an electrical signal.

It is the simplest pickup type, with a single coil (magnets wound with wire). Its sound is clear, focused and defined.

It is a pickup that uses two coils (magnets wound with wire) to cancel unwanted noise. Invented at Gibson by Seth Lover in the 1950s, the humbucker is known for a stronger signal and a warmer sound.

Certain crystals, ceramics and polymers produce piezoelectricity. “Piezo” means pressure in Greek. Piezoelectric materials generate electrical voltage when deformed by pressure or vibration.

Factory magnet heights are usually balanced; adjust them only if one string is much louder or quieter than the others.

This is a general reference for how different magnet types sound:

• Alnico II: Warm, round, compact mids, soft lows. Good for adding weight to a bright-sounding guitar. Woods: maple, ash, walnut, pau ferro, alder.

• Alnico VClear and bright, very good dynamics, compact lows and defined attack. Good for adding weight to a warm-sounding guitar. Woods: mahogany, korina, koa, alder, poplar.

• Ceramic: Bright with compact upper-mids, strong with aggressive harmonics, compressed dynamics and weighty lows. Woods: mahogany, korina, koa, alder, poplar, ash.

The terms refer to two related ideas. The first describes how two coils are wired. In series, current flows through one coil then the other, for more output and a thicker sound. In parallel both coils work together, with less output and a clearer, more open sound.

They also describe how two different pickups are combined with the selector. Pickups are usually in parallel. Two pickups in series give more output and a darker tone.

Low-output pickups feed the amp with less signal for a more blues or vintage feel and greater dynamics. High-output pickups drive the amp sooner for a more modern, compressed sound.

It is a pickup with an electronic preamp for gain, tone shaping and/or lower impedance. Advantages: less noise sensitivity and more tonal flexibility. Disadvantage: it needs a battery.

Passive pickups use the magnetic force of the coils to generate signal. Active pickups use smaller coils and an internal preamp to boost the signal and shape the tone.

They can be mixed, but it is not recommended because component values differ and wiring becomes more complex.

The main difference is output. A bridge pickup generates less signal because string motion is smaller near the bridge. Bridge pickups often have more wire turns (higher output) for that reason.

It is normal for the neck pickup to put out more signal than the bridge pickup because string vibration amplitude is greater toward the middle of the string length. This is balanced in pickup design or height.

The closer the pickup is to the strings, the stronger the signal. If the magnetic field is too close, it can disturb string vibration and cause tuning or sustain issues.

A good starting point: place a small coin on the bridge pickup under the high E string and fret the highest note; the string should not touch the magnet. Adjust from there to taste and playing style.

String height above the fretboard is called “action.” It is adjusted at the bridge (fixed or Floyd Rose). Action that is too high makes playing harder; too low can cause fret buzz.

Yes. Experienced players create a wide range of tones with right-hand technique alone: nail type, attack point on the string, and force. Single coils and acoustic instruments especially reflect those nuances.

Higher-value pots yield a brighter, stronger response regardless of pickup type. Early electrics often used 500K with humbuckers (Gibson) and 250K with single coils (Fender); that convention remains common.

Usually when you install new strings. Intonation is set by moving the bridge saddles forward or back (octave/intonation adjustment).

It is an adjustable metal rod inside the neck that counters string tension and controls neck relief. IMPORTANT: have a technician do this adjustment if you are not experienced.