Mahlon
Well-known member
Why does the string sound "different" at the neck pickup from how it sounds at the bridge pickup? I assume the string is vibrating at the same frequency all along its length. 
- Thread starter Mahlon
- Start date
smallequestrian
Well-known member
One of the easiest explanations is that the string has a bigger range of motion towards the neck. Your own right hand should tell you that there is more tension by the bridge then there is at the neck. So, while you are correct and assuming the string vibrates at the same frequency no matter what, the amplitude is not the same.
maddog
Well-known member
smallequestrian said:
+1
Amplitude of the fundamental is larger towards the neck so you pick up more of the fundamental. As opposed to near the bridge where the amplitude of the string is confined and smaller so you get less of the fundamental compared to the harmonics. So it sounds tinier.
"Gone. Sounds kind of woody. Gone." -Graham Chapman
If you think of the string vibrating in it's fundumental mode (like a jump rope) Then the amplitude of the string vibration would be different at the different locations.
Think of the bridge (and nut) as dampening forces. While they act more like rigid bodies they are really just dampening forces that don't move much. The dampening forces they provide can be non linear (ie more math than I care to do) down the length of the string. So the string vibrates differently at different parts of the string. This is also why different metals and densitys of the bridge make a guitar sound different. Hopefully once built this effect will produce consistant and desireable effects. (The user likes it)
Also where you apply force (pick) to the string makes the string sound different at different locations.
So the simple answer is the while the string is vibrating at the same frequency all along it's length it is not vibrating with the same waveform. Frequency is but a small part of the wave equation. <--Don't Google this unless you mean it.
Think of the bridge (and nut) as dampening forces. While they act more like rigid bodies they are really just dampening forces that don't move much. The dampening forces they provide can be non linear (ie more math than I care to do) down the length of the string. So the string vibrates differently at different parts of the string. This is also why different metals and densitys of the bridge make a guitar sound different. Hopefully once built this effect will produce consistant and desireable effects. (The user likes it)
Also where you apply force (pick) to the string makes the string sound different at different locations.
So the simple answer is the while the string is vibrating at the same frequency all along it's length it is not vibrating with the same waveform. Frequency is but a small part of the wave equation. <--Don't Google this unless you mean it.
adouglas
Well-known member
Doesn't it also have to do with harmonic content? A plucked string is vibrating in many modes at once...the fundamental and a whole range of harmonics on top of that.
I'm thinking that because of its location, the bridge pickup can't sense the lower-order harmonics as well as the higher-order ones, so the tonal character changes.
Or am I suffering from another case of cranio-rectal interface syndrome?
I'm thinking that because of its location, the bridge pickup can't sense the lower-order harmonics as well as the higher-order ones, so the tonal character changes.
Or am I suffering from another case of cranio-rectal interface syndrome?
bovinehost
Administrator
Man, look at 'em all, parading those big brains around the forum.
Showoffs!
Showoffs!
Mobay45
Well-known member
bovinehost said:
I'm surprised they can even hold their heads upright.
TSanders
Well-known member
I pluck bass with finger. It go boom.
smallequestrian
Well-known member
Mobay45 said:
It can be a struggle sometimes...
adouglas
Well-known member
From "So I Married an Axe Murderer":
STUART
Let's have a look at the re-play.
William, move your head. Look at the
size of that boy's heed. I'm not
kidding. It's like an orange on a
tooth pick.
MAY
Stuart, you're going to give the boy
a complex.
STUART
I'm not kidding. That's a huge
noggin'. It has it's own weather
system. It's a virtual planetoid.
(shouting to William)
Heed! Move!
STUART
Let's have a look at the re-play.
William, move your head. Look at the
size of that boy's heed. I'm not
kidding. It's like an orange on a
tooth pick.
MAY
Stuart, you're going to give the boy
a complex.
STUART
I'm not kidding. That's a huge
noggin'. It has it's own weather
system. It's a virtual planetoid.
(shouting to William)
Heed! Move!
maddog
Well-known member
adouglas said:
Yes, sort of. At the neck, because the string can vibrate more freely, it has a larger amplitude and so the fundamental is stronger than the harmonics. As you get towards the bridge where the string is clamped, the string cannot vibrate as freely, therefore the fundamental is not as strong, the amplitude is not as large, as compared to the near the neck. Therefore, you hear more harmonics. Think of it in terms of Signal to Noise ratios.
maddog
Well-known member
smallequestrian said:
Why do you think I cut my hair off.
Mahlon
Well-known member
Wow. Thanks, guys. Interesting stuff!
Mahlon
Mahlon
adouglas
Well-known member
adouglas said:
maddog said:
Hmmmmmmmmmm.................
MM Mike
Active member
Mobay45 said:
i'm surprised the rest of us even walk upright.
shamus63
Well-known member
bovinehost said:
"Look at the big brain on Brett!"
maddog
Well-known member
adouglas said:
Ooops.
Was refering to your explanation and not answering your question. Sorry.
adouglas
Well-known member
MM Mike said:i'm surprised the rest of us even walk upright.
Ook.
MM Mike
Active member
adouglas said:Ook.
genius. pure genius.
