The subject of guitar/bass pickups is a hot topic in many guitarist circles but not a topic that most intermediate or amateur guitarists would even think about, let alone discuss. Upgrading pickups can be tricky if you are not equipped with the correct tools and don’t have experience in electrical wiring. This leads to the…
No two electric guitars sound the same. This is due to a wide array of variables, but one of the most important ones is the pickups. Even pickups of the same model, brand, variety, and technology can vary depending on certain parameters and values. What factors give guitar pickups their tone/sound? The three main factors…
Pickups are common to solid-bodied guitars and basses, but not all carry the same pickup configuration. This is to be expected, considering each instrument’s general sonic qualities and construction. What are the differences between guitar pickups and bass guitar pickups? There are no differences in the mechanism. Bass pickups could theoretically be installed on guitars…
Whether you are in journalism, the music industry, or just want to record a conversation or lecture, the iPhone has multiple audio recording apps perfect for capturing audio segments. But how do you record on an iPhone? How to record audio on an iPhone: To record an audio segment on an iPhone, open the Voice…
Being able to record audio on your smartphone is a wonderful convenience. Whether you’re using it to record an important story or your newest song, knowing how to record audio on an Android phone can be very useful. How to record audio on an Android phone: To record audio on an Android device, use the…
As smartphones progress over time, people are finding that the original 3.5mm headphone jack that could be used on any device is no longer useable for most of the recently released technology. New smartphones are being designed and released without individual headphone ports at all, which is a large adjustment for many people. How do…
Since remote work has become the norm in our digitally advanced world, wearing headphones and earphones equipped with microphones has become advantageous. By cancelling out the environment’s noise and laser targeting the speaker, it allows for much easier discussion on video calls, virtual meetings, and more. Do all headphones and earphones have built-in microphones? Not…
In the world of electric guitars, there is a myriad of variables to look for, and one of the most important among them is the pickup, which takes the place of the resonance chamber of acoustic/electric guitars. Pickups function through magnets, which can be made of various materials (including ceramic and alnico), and it’s reasonable…
You’ve probably heard from various professional guitarists the notion that removing a pickup cover can make your electric guitar sound brighter. Some attest to this presumed fact, while others claim it’s mostly a placebo effect. Do guitar pickup covers affect tone? Though pickup covers do have some effect on the tone of a guitar, the…
A myriad of variables intervenes in a guitar’s tonal quality and balance. Of them, the pickup takes a preeminent place, along with the strings. Pickups are comprised of parts or pieces that can make or break your guitar’s sound, depending on their placement. How can I improve the sound/tone of my guitar pickups? There are…
Many basses carry more than one pickup (rarely more than two) placed at different positions. Precision basses are almost unanimous in placing one split-coil pickup at the center, while jazz or hybrid basses have two different pickups placed at the top (near the neck) and bottom (reaching the bridge). With that said, many people might…
You’re probably aware of the difference between neck and bridge pickups. Pickups located near the neck will capture a “bassier” and rounder tone, while bridge pickups will render a thinner and sharper sound. Many guitars allow the player to activate both pickups and get a more in-between sound fitting for various music styles. When should…
