what's the lowdown on body mounting the neck pup?

morroben · June 26th, 2008, 10:57 PM

I'm cutting a new pickguard for my '69 Thinline RI and I thought that before I drilled the pup mounting holes, I should see what the story is on body mounted neck pups. Opinions? Suggestions?
I actually favor the neck pup quite a bit, but the pg mounted pickup has never bothered me. I just happened to be at a point where it would be convenient to make the change if it's a change for the better.

side note: You never notice how often the letter U comes up until your keyboard freaks out and decides to not like that key.

Ricky D. · June 26th, 2008, 11:14 PM

I think it's just a personal preference. It's real handy to be able to adjust the pickup height without tearing down the guitar. But I think the body mount is a cleaner look.

You choose and be happy.

eryque · June 27th, 2008, 10:40 AM

Tonally, I don't think it makes a bit of difference whether the pickup is mounted to the pickguard or the body. There are those that believe that if the pickup is screwed down tight against the wood there will be extra resonance, but I don't really buy it.

mellecaster · June 27th, 2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eryque

Tonally, I don't think it makes a bit of difference whether the pickup is mounted to the pickguard or the body. There are those that believe that if the pickup is screwed down tight against the wood there will be extra resonance, but I don't really buy it.

Tend to agree....They work from sensing the Strings...not the Body, but some will Always choose to ignore that....and that's OK !......

firefuocco · June 27th, 2008, 12:34 PM

This is interesting. In which respect does the body affect the sound (if any)?

Genuine question, I am not trying to wind anyone up.

Ricky D. · June 28th, 2008, 08:20 AM

From an engineering standpoint, think of the neck and body (really the points of contact:bridge and frets) draining energy from the string. Of course, air resistance absorbs energy also, but that won't change from one guitar to another. The pickup senses the vibrational energy left in the strings, and that is what's heard through the amp.

The more the body and neck vibrate, the more of the string's vibration is being absorbed. Different frequencies are not absorbed equally, so different designs and materials sound different. The effective mechanical impedance at the ends of the string will determine the tone quality. Stiffness and mass.

rhinocaster · June 28th, 2008, 02:39 PM

Well, let's start with some very basic questions and see if we can get somewhere with this.

Why do hollowbody electric guitars want to feedback more than solid body guitars?

Why do PAF equipped Flying V's, Les Paul's and 335s sound different than each other?

What makes a pickup feedback or "Squeal"?

June 26th, 2008, 10:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
morroben Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: california Age: 32 Posts: 1,874 18 Photos	what's the lowdown on body mounting the neck pup? I'm cutting a new pickguard for my '69 Thinline RI and I thought that before I drilled the pup mounting holes, I should see what the story is on body mounted neck pups. Opinions? Suggestions? I actually favor the neck pup quite a bit, but the pg mounted pickup has never bothered me. I just happened to be at a point where it would be convenient to make the change if it's a change for the better. side note: You never notice how often the letter U comes up until your keyboard freaks out and decides to not like that key.

June 27th, 2008, 10:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
eryque Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: albany, ny [not chicago] Posts: 7,127 44 Photos	Tonally, I don't think it makes a bit of difference whether the pickup is mounted to the pickguard or the body. There are those that believe that if the pickup is screwed down tight against the wood there will be extra resonance, but I don't really buy it. __________________ my blog: eryque.blogspot.com Updated 9.17.08! Subscribe_____________________

June 28th, 2008, 02:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
rhinocaster Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Oregon Age: 44 Posts: 1,370	Well, let's start with some very basic questions and see if we can get somewhere with this. Why do hollowbody electric guitars want to feedback more than solid body guitars? Why do PAF equipped Flying V's, Les Paul's and 335s sound different than each other? What makes a pickup feedback or "Squeal"? __________________ Just because I "Don't" get it doesn't mean I "Won't" get it!

June 26th, 2008, 11:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ricky D. Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Maryland Age: 57 Posts: 908	I think it's just a personal preference. It's real handy to be able to adjust the pickup height without tearing down the guitar. But I think the body mount is a cleaner look. You choose and be happy.

June 27th, 2008, 12:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
firefuocco Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cornwall UK Age: 41 Posts: 138	This is interesting. In which respect does the body affect the sound (if any)? Genuine question, I am not trying to wind anyone up.

June 28th, 2008, 08:20 AM	#6 (permalink)
Ricky D. Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Maryland Age: 57 Posts: 908	From an engineering standpoint, think of the neck and body (really the points of contact:bridge and frets) draining energy from the string. Of course, air resistance absorbs energy also, but that won't change from one guitar to another. The pickup senses the vibrational energy left in the strings, and that is what's heard through the amp. The more the body and neck vibrate, the more of the string's vibration is being absorbed. Different frequencies are not absorbed equally, so different designs and materials sound different. The effective mechanical impedance at the ends of the string will determine the tone quality. Stiffness and mass.