(almost) EVERYTHING About Pickups | Too Afraid To Ask

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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[@ScienceofLoud]

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 - [e-mail]

[@robbirose7032]

If you did a course on building a pickup from beginning to end I'd be interested in paying for that.

[@georgelackey622]

Colin, what was that you were winding that looked like 2 halves of a single coil? Looked interesting.

[@chrisnurse6430]

This was wicked

[@GjergjMero]

"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.

[@George_K.]

For the love of God - timestamps please

[@sabbatus]

it feels illegal to watch a video this good for free

[@ScienceofLoud]

I'll gladly accept any donations. Thanks for the kind words.

[@JuveriSetila]

Dude he has a Patreon

[@sabbatus]

@@JuveriSetila yeah video is still free i would give him some cash if i had any tho :d

[@DMSProduktions]

An ill eagle is a sick bird!

[@shanemorgan8910]

It is. You're under arrest.

[@ADaviDTR]

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

[@voornaam3191]

Can you fississists please change that eternal fississist into a proper English word? Fississist is just white noise, I can't stand that word.

[@indridcold4210]

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.

[@LifeSavingDefense]

Why am I tempted to see if I can build an electric forge, heater or motor using guitar pickups after watching this video?

[@LouisianaGator]

@@voornaam3191 what is proper English though? Each English speaking country has different spelling.

[@DavidBostock-ti2fv]

​@@indridcold4210 Thanks, now I'm completely confused about everything again, good job.

[@lexdemonica]

The fact that only 240k people are subscribed as I type this is absolutely fkn criminal. Absolute fkn quality.

[@laa0fa502]

"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

[@Dram1984]

People obsess over the types of wood and joints in guitars and completely ignore what’s actually generating the signal.

[@joshuabarron8535]

Such people are "guitarded".

[@Relayer6a]

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.

[@joshuabarron8535]

@@Relayer6a I'm talking about people who think tonewood is a thing, not the craftsmanship.

[@Relayer6a]

@@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.

[@joshuabarron8535]

@@Relayer6a whatever

[@384Freak]

Damn, man! You are a true treasure on KZbin, so many questions answered over the years; keep it up! Love your work!

[@ScienceofLoud]

Thank you!

[@dnantis]

@@ScienceofLoud 🤘🤘💪💪👏👏👏YES INDEED YOU ARE A TRUE KZbin TREASURE !!! AND.... I AM SUBSCRIBED SINCE MANY YEARS AND THE KZbin ALGORITHM DOES NOT HELP YOU AT ALL ! SHAME ON YOU "SO CALLED" KZbin !!! OMG ! You just answered a question I have made to various KZbin 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 !!!

[@edwinstovall3334]

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!😀

[@Riley-Thurm]

Such a breath of fresh air when you finally find the video made by a true expert who is also good at explaining 🙏🏼

[@justie1220]

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!

[@shiahulud458]

Not going to lie I half heartedly came into this video but after the first couple minutes I was hooked

[@thingsicameheretodo698]

Now this is the most solid package of information on peckups i've seen so far, much appreciated.

[@dinosoarskill17]

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.

[@akrmfk]

I guess I did it backwards, changing pups before knowing the science. Either way, thanks again colin!

[@thewitchfindergeneral4015]

Colin can you PLEASE do a ‘What’s the Difference’ between Silicon and Germanium transistors in fuzz/boost pedals?

[@timmotel5804]

That is a really good request/question. I'd like to know too.

[@maudiojunky]

@@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.

[@timmotel5804]

@@maudiojunky Thank You. Very informative. Best Regards

[@chrisvsmusicny]

"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. 🤘

[@nasher931]

Laphroaig 10? You are truly a man of taste

[@wyattlauth1453]

*watches whole video **googles “what is a peckup?” But seriously love these videos, great content 😂

[@lancecluster]

Nice comment, part of the charm of his videos. Somehow makes them more interesting, I certainly have to listen a little closer.

[@JohnShalamskas]

It reminds me of Mr. Scott on Star Trek. "The engines canna take much more of this, Captain! Ach, my poor wee bairns!"

[@samburkes7552]

@@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!!

[@JulinhodeAdelaide]

"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.

[@warrenbutterfield4208]

Wee Scotland🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿....... hearts desire💜

[@skoneal007]

Brilliant, simply brilliant! University quality Pickup course 101. I’m ready to enroll in Pickups 201.

[@drewgraysonxoxopanda]

This the best video on pickups on the entire world wide web. ❤

[@unlimitedpowerrecords]

Spot on, good graphics, well produced video, excellent summary! Information is well written and very correct.

[@WillMaskellTaylor]

Can't believe these videos are free to watch, the amount of knowledge you put into these is amazing, great work as usual Colin.

[@ikbensiep]

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!

[@oliferous]

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!!🤘🤘🤘

[@ciddax754]

Very well done! Explaining complicated stuff the easy way is a very rare gift!

[@maxrufusschepelernkarrebk8980]

By far the best gear youtube channel: great animations, great (and scientific!!) explanation and great fun!

[@stevemaass3074]

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.

[@broda769]

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!

[@ophic]

"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

[@JohnShalamskas]

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.

[@Superjet113]

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

[@Merjia]

This is my favourite video you’ve done. I love this shit.

[@virtualman5746]

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

[@leelenlesueur8863]

Best pickup explanation on KZbin. It all makes sense now. Makes me want to try my hand at winding my own.

[@Spider602]

I think I've finally gotten used to short heard Colin

[@JuveriSetila]

DISCORD NOTIFICATION SQUAAAAAAADDDDDDDD

[@hazrod13]

SQUAAAAAD

[@ScienceofLoud]

SQUAD!

[@stephenghudson6179]

Thank you so much for this informative explanation of pick ups. I've always felt bewildered by alot of the words and slang people use to describe how and why different pick ups sound the way they do but this has really set it straight for me. You sir, are awesome.

[@fredgenius]

Greight video! Thanks for taking the time to explain the fundamentals of pickups, has filled in some gaps in my knowledge, for which I am grateful.

[@stevencowan37]

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.

[@JeremyBeut]

Great explanation, great visuals, just perfect! Thanks Colin :)

[@cmills9804]

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!!!

[@sounddude47]

I think it would be fun to watch you and ElectroBOOM build a low-wattage valve guitar amplifier together 🤘

[@thechannelforeverything2170]

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.

[@dennyps1]

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

[@Bob-Whiting]

Great vid brother. Gotta be The Best video I've ever seen on this subject. Just Brilliant! Thanks.

[@weistonaski6924]

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.

[@camarotrash]

I’m only 4 minutes in and this video is bomb. 😎

[@johnspalding3842]

This goes straight to my KZbin library "Archive of Most Important Guitar Videos Ever." Your advice on pickup heights was refreshingly straightforward compared to most. I tried to keep records down to 0.1 mm on my changes to pickup heights compared to sounds. All it got me was frustration. Also, this is the first video I've seen that discussed coil geometry vs. sound. Well done.

[@skellyTM]

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.

[@TeslaMaster2]

17:39 Sidenote: I see you drink Laphroaig as well? You sir, have very good taste in whiskey.

[@angush8595]

DISCHORD SQUAAAD

[@courier11sec]

Excellent video, friend! Thank you so much.

[@MrPetersVideo]

Awesome 'teaching' video - as it seems all yours are!! I am not sure if anyone else is making such 'high level', quality, teaching/tutorial videos (in any topic/area!) !! More importantly - well outlined, in quite high (total?) detail, and all CORRECT, plus being understandable by almost any technical/non-technical level person. Thanks for them all !!

[@romanoforsale]

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.

[@erslippers3805]

I wonder if anyone could tell the difference between machine-wound and hand-wound pickups in a blind test

[@malcolmhodgson7540]

No. It’s a wallet thing!

[@samburkes7552]

..Wondered the same as well..

[@MrRatelP]

Thank you soooooo much for this video, it is the best i've seen about the science behind pickups so far. I will surely forward this to my musician friends and certainly the ones who still think that all electric guitars sounds the same. In my own experience I have had the oportunity to test lots of deferent gear and owned a lot of deferent guitars. The one thing that is the most relevant here was the "use your ears" factor. Thank you Colin.

[@tptmnc]

Excellent vid, tons of info, thanks for making it!

[@James_Dawes]

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?

[@ScienceofLoud]

I'm not sure I understand what you are asking. Can you detail your question a bit further for me?

[@James_Dawes]

@@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?

[@D4veJap4n]

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

[@edgodfrey7650]

Easily one of the best pickup videos around. Thanks!

[@Musecrafter]

Excellent information! Thank you!

[@CastToVoid]

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.

[@JuveriSetila]

I gave this comment a dislike

[@JuveriSetila]

U pun'ce of shit

[@DanDjurdjevicplus]

This has to be the single most informative video about pickups ever made. Bravo Colin! 🤘👏💙

[@denniswalsh8476]

Wow, very good video. Very accurate. One of the best pickup videos I've seen.

[@zappasmoustache23]

What a great video, I understood things I didn’t expect to understand. Subscribed.

[@xnoiidb]

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

[@brianblair1478]

This is by far the greatest explanation of the various designs in pickup engineering, the materials used, their interactions with each other, thus why each builds sonic properties react the way they do. Finding the right way to define some these complexities, concisely, while keeping easy to follow, is difficult at best. In turn, doing so without getting to far into the weeds that it puts the viewer to sleep, is a feat unto itself. Bravo!

[@AB-ib8dm]

Fascinating and informative. Well done, Colin.

[@ernieb3626]

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

[@elbass0]

As always, super well explained. Keep it loud!

[@obiwanjacobi]

Excellent video, thanks man!

[@paulmalloy4544]

Exactly what I was looking for, thanks! So many videos with no clear explanation of pickup height. Yours clears it all up.

[@cowgod77]

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.

[@johnskerlec9663]

Brilliant. Just Brilliant. I've been considering making my own pups for some time, and now I think I've got a handle on where I want to explore. Thanks man.

[@lumberlikwidator8863]

This was absolutely the best, most informative presentation on pickups that I’ve ever seen. Sadly, there are some people in the industry selling pickups for upwards of $600.00 US that don’t know a fraction of what you covered here in a little over twenty minutes. I may never get around to winding my own pickups but the info here is really useful since I build electric guitars and do some modding on factory guitars as well. Thanks for a well prepared and informative presentation!

[@jimmiller2270]

Great video. Thank you for making it.

[@scottm121]

Awesome easy to wrap my head around. Thankyou Colin. This was a pleasure to learn.. that is to say ill share with at least 3 freinds and re watch to enjoy having it sink in. Cheers.

[@benfletcher7369]

Fantastic video. Best advice which I’m constantly giving - use you’re ears!

[@a88aiello]

Great stuff, very informative! Thanks!

[@berryj.greene7090]

That was fantastic and well produced too! Thanks.

[@williambock1821]

Your videos are getting really good, man! Keep it up.

[@ernesttenesmus6757]

Thank you for a truly remarkable video. You have presented technical information with an impressive breadth and clarity that offers much for viewers having divers backgrounds and interests. I am an older, amateur musician with modest technical training who has experience with a range of amplified string instruments and amplifiers. The video helps me better understand what I have observed and learned experientially over six decades. I have learned that knowledge and experience is often transferable from one field to another in pleasantly surprising ways, such that something recalled from the shop inspires a solution in the office or organization. I sense great application in this video and with be sharing it with friends and family who appreciate work well done. Thanks again!

[@kluzz]

The information density in this video is so high, I had to watch it twice.

[@ronjones4069]

Absolutely fascinating. I love the deep dive you have done. Thanks.

[@grayaj23]

This was a fantastic video, Colin. Thanks!

[@aipsong]

A very well constructed lesson - a lot of great info to pick up here - thanks

[@jamesro196]

This was a brilliant explanation. I really appreciate the time and writing you put in to this. It’s clear and easy to understand. Great video.

[@geoffedwards189]

One of the best, if not THE best explanations of pick design and operation. Many many thanks.

[@p.s8950]

Incredible info. Thanks for this.

[@rustyl.6358]

Another video that is perfectly done. Great content, presented really, really well!

[@satinwhip]

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.

[@zendragonmindtuner6207]

Great vid! This answered so many questions I had

[@screamoj777]

That has totally blown my mind! Very informative video thank you 😊

[@monkeyfinger7949]

This was one of the best videos I have watched on the science and art of pickup design. I really learned a lot. Thank you for sharing this information!

[@Nakpanduri100]

Thank you. Great information flawlessly delivered.

[@morrelljw]

Absolutely the best pup video I’ve ever watched and just makes me want to try winding my own even more.

[@zipfotoproductions2934]

Awesome video! I've learned so much! Thanks

[@KenIn_NH]

Bloody brilliant! Short, informative and right on point in a clear and consice manner. Well done! Other 'tubers could take a pile of lessons on production from this segment.😎

[@Nakkiteline]

you're such s treat to listen to! and tons of valuable information, everything's very well explained. cheers from finland!

[@aliali-ce3yf]

this video is outstanding. you explain it so well, thanks!

[@goober650NX]

Excellent tutorial, a lot of good basic information to get people's creative juices flowing. Thanks for making the video and for taking the time to upload.