Information Required

[curiousparent]

I dont play guitar and I dont own one either. My son does however (age 16).
Is there anyone logged in that can take pity and fill me in on the details of pick ups.

My son has at the moment a Gibson SG copy (I know this cause he told me)

Easy so far, one rythm and one treble pick up - I looked!

The pick up business is full of choices that look nothing like the ones we have.

When there are two sets where we have one - what do these do? how do they work from the control switch? Why have two at all. Is one rythm and the other treble?

What in blazes is a power bridge? What does it do and is it operated from the three position switch - if fitted.

What are pots? (I thought these were for putting plants in - steady that was a bit of Scottish humour)

What is the middle position for the three position switch for?

Is there a book we can buy that makes this all clear and cuts out the jargon.

I recognise all you guitar nuts will not understand this level of ignorance but you gotta understand it is not my fault my son wants to play guitar (I blame his mother - another joke). I feel the need to be able to talk intelligently about these matters - well I ask you whats a father for

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Information Required

Here ya go:

http://www.seymourduncan.com/website/support/seymours_q_and_a.shtml

Welcome to the forum Mom!

Lew

 

[Curly]

Re: Information Required

Is one rythm and the other treble?

yes, the one closer to the neck is rhythm, the other is treble

What in blazes is a power bridge? What does it do and is it operated from the three position switch - if fitted.

a power bridge emulates an acoustic guitar. It usually has it's own control, as far as I know.

What are pots?

they are variable controls that control volume and tone

What is the middle position for the three position switch for?

uh.. the middle position is the rhythm and treble together

Is there a book we can buy that makes this all clear and cuts out the jargon.

I'm sure there is, but I don't know one.

 

[midnite_man]

Re: Information Required

I never knew that existed, Lew! That page should be mandatory reading for anyone who joins this forum, let alone for those who are beginning guitar players.
I learned much from just the few q & a's I did read.
Thanks for pointing that out!

-Bob

 

[tone4days]

Re: Information Required

welcome to the forum - very cool of a parent getting involved in their child's hobby ...

"pots" is short slang for potentiometers ... they are the rotating control knobs that control the volume and tone ... if there are 4 pots on the guitar, it is probably configured so that each of the two pickups have their own tone and volume control ... the 3 way switch controls which pickup is selected for output to the amp .. in one position it selects the pickup closest to the neck (sometimes called the rhythm pickup) .. in the other position it selects the pickup closest to the bridge (sometimes called the lead pickup) ... in the middle position, the 3 way switch selects the combination of both pickups ...

if you let us know what kinds you have, we could advise about options ... if they look something like these (color and logos not withstanding) ...

or these ...

then they are double coil pickups (often called humbuckers) ...

if they look like this ...

...
then they are single coil pickups

hope this helps
cheers
t4d

 

[curiousparent]

Re: Information Required

I am grateful to all those who helped.

Onother question id what is clean neck/bridge and dirty neck/ bridge. How do you achieve this on a guitar?

If my son tells his mother he has a a dirty neck he will be made go upstairs and '' clean it now''!!

 

[Russ]

Re: Information Required

Onother question id what is clean neck/bridge and dirty neck/ bridge. How do you achieve this on a guitar?

If my son tells his mother he has a a dirty neck he will be made go upstairs and '' clean it now''!!

haha. ..Clean neck/bridge = Distortion from amp is turned off. Dirty = distortion effect from amp is ON.