Can pickups give easier pinch harmonics (without EQ on amp)

[Pierre]

My friend plays through a Roland microcube I think and it has no EQ, just a tone control. She also has a Jackson JS20 Dinky (alder body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard with a humbucker in the bridge). She can't do pinch well and we suspect that the rig is as much in cause as her technique.
Can pickups make pinch harmonics come out much easier without an EQ tweaking? If so, which SD would do that the best?
The other solution is an EQ pedal to place in front of the amp, or a distortion pedal with its own EQ in the CD input of the amp. Which do you think would give the best results for the money?
Thanks for your help

 

[some_dude]

Re: Can pickups give easier pinch harmonics (without EQ on amp)

Pickups can make a big difference....sorry, I can't help with suggestions though.

 

[theodie]

Re: Can pickups give easier pinch harmonics (without EQ on amp)

I have noticed that pickups do better harmonics than other pickups do. As far as Duncans go, the Full Shred does them easier than any of them I have tried. Followed by in this order, the Invader, Distortion, Custom 5 and so on. Maybe its the hex poles in the Full Shred that makes them easier. The EQ of your amp plays a role also.

 

[JammerMatt]

Re: Can pickups give easier pinch harmonics (without EQ on amp)

I'm gonna say it's both. Rig and technique. The Axe itself is probably fine. As for pups, I've had good results with Distortion, JB, Custom and Demon. Someone with good pinch technique can get them out of an acoustic, so there you go.

Also, something on the front end, a distortion pedal, overdrive pedal of some sorts, will also help out tremendously.

Of course, you have to find that sweet spot, which varies for each particular axe. My Les Paul does them best, my USA Jackson is the toughest, so go figure.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Can pickups give easier pinch harmonics (without EQ on amp)

Someone with good pinch technique can get them out of an acoustic, so there you go.

Also, something on the front end, a distortion pedal, overdrive pedal of some sorts, will also help out tremendously.

Of course, you have to find that sweet spot, which varies for each particular axe. My Les Paul does them best, my USA Jackson is the toughest, so go figure.

I can get pinch harmonics out of an acoustic without a pick, so technique is the biggest factor, for sure. :saeek:

An OD infront of the amp will help a TON! Even if it's just used as a clean boost. Great advice.

Matt, I know what you mean; my Schecter gets them easier than my RR-1. You know what I think it is? I've narrowed it down the the bridge. The TOM lifts the string higher off the face off the guitar, so you have more room to pinch. I only have that problem on the low E though.

And, totally off-topic, but I read your thread on the JCF, try disconnecting the tone pot to see if you like the added brightness, and if you want even more, change the pots out to 500k. A good balance between 500 and 250 is a 250 without a tone pot, or a 500 with 250k tonepots. That's how my RR-1 came stock, actually. 500k for the master volume, 250k for each tone pot.

 

[Pierre]

Re: Can pickups give easier pinch harmonics (without EQ on amp)

Ah you guys are on the JCF too? haha who isn't now! I'm Pott over there!
Thanks for the tips! I think the cheapest solution for her would be to get a second hand pickup but it may be too complicated. It'll probably be an EQ pedal. Thanks a bunch!

 

[nuntius]

Re: Can pickups give easier pinch harmonics (without EQ on amp)

Matt, I know what you mean; my Schecter gets them easier than my RR-1. You know what I think it is? I've narrowed it down the the bridge. The TOM lifts the string higher off the face off the guitar, so you have more room to pinch. I only have that problem on the low E though.

That's probably because of the higher tension (I'm guessing anyway). I find harmonics much easier to get on a stiffer tension than on something a little looser.

Technique is the major factor, but as mentioned, the level of gain is also important.

 

[JammerMatt]

Re: Can pickups give easier pinch harmonics (without EQ on amp)

Matt, I know what you mean; my Schecter gets them easier than my RR-1. You know what I think it is? I've narrowed it down the the bridge. The TOM lifts the string higher off the face off the guitar, so you have more room to pinch. I only have that problem on the low E though.

And, totally off-topic, but I read your thread on the JCF, try disconnecting the tone pot to see if you like the added brightness, and if you want even more, change the pots out to 500k. A good balance between 500 and 250 is a 250 without a tone pot, or a 500 with 250k tonepots. That's how my RR-1 came stock, actually. 500k for the master volume, 250k for each tone pot.

Hey buddy, what's your handle over there?

I started a thread over there with regards to pinch harmonics and how they are tough with a neck-thru. The general concesus was that it is a common quirk of the neck-thrus. My Dinky does 'em easy. You're probably right as the strings' low profile against the body makes it tougher to get in there. What I have found is that a lighter touch helps alot, I'm training myself not to dig in as hard on the Soloist, and it seems to help. But, no matter, my Jacksons can't touch that maple-capped Les Paul for outright raging pinch's... perhaps one of the reasons why Wylde uses 'em

As for the tone knob, well I need to keep one as I roll it off when playing clean stuff in the neck position. My Soloist oddly enough has a nice warm neck tone for clean playing.... go figure.

Answer me a dumb question, what does the 500k Volume pot do, tonewise? I never knew there was a relationship.

Okay, sorry to hijack this thread, but I'm selfish

:hijacked:

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Can pickups give easier pinch harmonics (without EQ on amp)

Hey buddy, what's your handle over there?

I started a thread over there with regards to pinch harmonics and how they are tough with a neck-thru. The general concesus was that it is a common quirk of the neck-thrus. My Dinky does 'em easy. You're probably right as the strings' low profile against the body makes it tougher to get in there. What I have found is that a lighter touch helps alot, I'm training myself not to dig in as hard on the Soloist, and it seems to help. But, no matter, my Jacksons can't touch that maple-capped Les Paul for outright raging pinch's... perhaps one of the reasons why Wylde uses 'em

As for the tone knob, well I need to keep one as I roll it off when playing clean stuff in the neck position. My Soloist oddly enough has a nice warm neck tone for clean playing.... go figure.

Answer me a dumb question, what does the 500k Volume pot do, tonewise? I never knew there was a relationship.

Okay, sorry to hijack this thread, but I'm selfish

:hijacked:

I'm DSS3 .

I didn't know that about neck thru's, I have to go look for that thread!

The 500k volume pot will increase brightness, and make the JB more 'sparkly,' so to speak. Many people will agree with me when I say that the 250k pots with a JB is like putting a blanket over your speakers.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Can pickups give easier pinch harmonics (without EQ on amp)

Technique is the biggest factor... practice hitting them on an unplugged electric. Once you've got that down, the pickup won't matter so much.

However, the more mids you've got, the more they're gonna sing. Typically, louder pickups are a plus as well. Thicker strings make them easier for me, as well.

 

[junior]

Re: Can pickups give easier pinch harmonics (without EQ on amp)

I have a warmoth mohagony/ maple top body and maple/ rosewood finger board, bolt on, and in the bridge I have an EVH pup, and I have a hell of a time getting pinch harmonics out of it, which is ironic, considering Eddie has no problem. I don't have a problem on my other guitars, and I didn't on this one, until I put this pup in. I've even tried messing with height, and nothing seems to work. So, I guess the pup does havean effect on pinch harmonics.

 

[JammerMatt]

Re: Can pickups give easier pinch harmonics (without EQ on amp)

I have a warmoth ....

If you're using alot of gain, dial it back some. If you're using little gain, dial it up some. And like someone mentioned earlier, dial up your mids if you're scooped.

If nothing else works, then perhaps a pup change. For me personally, the pups don't seem to be as big an effect as the other stuff.

-Matt

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Can pickups give easier pinch harmonics (without EQ on amp)

Some guitars just respond better to harmonic overtones. My dad had a Peavey T-60 that sounded great, but had little in the realm of natural overtones. Pinch-harmonics were virtually impossible on that guitar...it was much more than technique.

I do find that the HR's on LesStrat are VERY responsive to harmonics.

 

[Imp]

Re: Can pickups give easier pinch harmonics (without EQ on amp)

ever wondered why vai and satriani use a keeley DS-1 onstage when they're surrounded by $20,000+ worth of gear? it's to boost their input signal and saturate their tubes slightly

something like an SD-1, DS-1, tubescreamer etc is perfect for getting screaming pinches... technique is still important though, remember you can't polish a turd

think of some of the big pinch harmonic players, and the pedals they use

vai + satch - DS-1
Zakk Wylde - SD-1 (MIJ. i have pretty much the same thing, and it really is a big part of his tone..)
matt bellamy (more natural harms, but yeah) - Z-VEX fuzz factory

its all about pushing your input stage the right way.. i can get pinches that kill small mammals using a spina DS-1 into a MIJ SD-1 into the yellow channel, and i play a strat :laugh2:

tom

 

[tfb1990]

Re: Can pickups give easier pinch harmonics (without EQ on amp)

MAYBE a live wire metal... might be a little hot for yall tho, just different tastes

 

[V-Spot]

Re: Can pickups give easier pinch harmonics (without EQ on amp)

I use an Invader in my Flying V, but before I had it strung with GHS Wylde's (the 10-60's), and I could only get pinch harmonics if I really, really dug in. But I changed those strings out for a set of Gibson Brite Wires (10-46), and those really make a difference. I can get a pinch hamonic 9 times outta 10, that one time being if my pick is in a weird position.

It also helps to find all the sweet spots using natural harmonics, except over the pups, not over the fretboard. Add some string vibrato, and you're squealin' like a stuck pig

EDIT: Like one of the above posters said, practice with an unplugged electric until you get the hang of it, then it's a whole lot easier. Trust me, once you can do that, there'll be absolutely nothing that can stop you, you'll always be able to do a pinch harmonic no matter the guitar, but some may be stronger than others.

 

[Moonsorrow]

Re: Can pickups give easier pinch harmonics (without EQ on amp)

Pickup height plays a role as well!!!!!! Too high or too low can be a problem with harmonics!!!!!!

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Can pickups give easier pinch harmonics (without EQ on amp)

I would say it has little at all to do with the pickups or the bridge...I con get them just as easy on my Moderne (stop/tune-o-matic and a PG set) or my Strat (vintage trem and Duncan CS Alnico II singles). It's all in the way you play!