Neck vs Bridge Pickup
Pickup refers to the process of capturing the vibrations from stringed musical instruments using transducers placed either in the bridge or neck. Some music enthusiasts believe that the sounds produced by neck pickups and bridge pickups differ significantly, while others think that the transducer’s location does not affect the sound quality. In this article, we will explore the differences between neck and bridge pickups.
Key Takeaways
- Neck pickups have fewer wire turns than bridge pickups, resulting in a lower output and a brighter sound.
- Lower frequencies are more easily amplified when the pickup device is closer to the instrument’s center, where vibrations travel the widest.
- Bridge pickups are more useful for metal music, while neck pickups are better suited for blues music.
The transducer’s function is to pick up frequencies from the stringed instrument and convert them into electrical signals. The pickup’s location on the instrument is crucial. It is evident that a neck pickup has fewer wire turns than a bridge pickup, which causes the neck pickup to have a lower output and, consequently, a brighter sound than the bridge pickup. It is logical that lower frequencies are more likely to be amplified when the pickup device is closer to the instrument’s center, where vibrations travel the widest. However, the choice of music greatly influences the perceived differences in sound quality between neck and bridge pickups. Bridge pickups are more effective for metal music, while neck pickups create a heavenly sound for blues music.
Differences Between Neck Pickup and Bridge Pickup
- The vibrating string travels wider at the neck than at the bridge, allowing the pickup device to pick up more lower frequencies.
- Neck pickups produce a brighter and warmer sound compared to bridge pickups.
- Bridge pickups are more suitable for metal music, while neck pickups are ideal for blues music.
Related posts:
Difference Between Epiphone Guitar and Gibson Guitar
Difference Between Violin and Viola
Difference Between Organ and Piano
Difference Between Violin and Electric Violin
Difference Between Nanoweb and Polyweb