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Easy signal flow for pickups?

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  • Easy signal flow for pickups?

    When I went to sound engineering school back in the dark ages, they pounded the idea that if you understand signal flow, you can always figure out the system no matter how simple or complex. And, it's always held true, even 25 years later.

    Coming at it from that POV, what's the simple signal flow for guitar electronics? Is it Pickup(s)>Switch>Volume(Tone)>Output jack? Or does it vary greatly depending on the number/type of pups, knobs, etc.?

  • #2
    Re: Easy signal flow for pickups?

    Let’s look at a Strat and Les Paul.

    These are simplified due to text, etc.

    Strat:
    Pickups -> Switch -> (Tone Controls; in parallel to ground) -> Volume -> Output Jack
    The only signal that flows through a tone control are the treble frequencies that are bled to ground.

    Les Paul:
    Neck Pickup -> Neck Volume -> (Neck Tone in parallel to ground) -> Switch -> Output Jack
    Bridge Pickup -> Bridge Volume -> (Bridge Tone in parallel to ground) -> Switch -> (Output Jack)

    There are a few different ways to wire a volume control and connect a tone control to the circuit. I think the best thing to do is to sit down and deep dive either a Strat or Les Paul (or Tele) schematic to really understand it. Once you do that, if you’ve got questions there are lots of people here that like to help and answer question.
    Oh no.....


    Oh Yeah!

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