Reverse polarity?

[rbilleaud]

I read somewhere that Stevie Ray Vaughan reversed the polarity of his middle pickup to achieve his distinctive sound. Is this simply a matter of switching the wiring around or do you actually have to flip the magnets? As you can tell, I'm no electronics expert.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Reverse polarity?

SRV did not have any OOP sounds to my knowledge, and I've certainly heard all of his most popular songs.

edit - I've not come across any SRV toneseeking thread that has ever referenced OOP......where was this from???

 

[Blille]

Reverse polarity?

I think he means RWRP, not out of phase.

I believe the middle was RWRP to avoid hum when it was combined with the neck or bridge.

Edit: from fender’s signature srv Strat spiel:

“The original Strat had three single-coil pickups, so it was able to produce sounds that no other guitar could deliver - particularly once players discovered they could lodge the 3-position blade switch in those in between positions to access neck, middle and bridge, and middle pickup combinations. These were often erroneously referred to as the out-of-phase settings. “

 

[kjrocks]

Re: Reverse polarity?

Pretty sure Blilles got it.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Reverse polarity?

I think he means RWRP, not out of phase.

I believe the middle was RWRP to avoid hum when it was combined with the neck or bridge.

Edit: from fender’s signature srv Strat spiel:

“The original Strat had three single-coil pickups, so it was able to produce sounds that no other guitar could deliver - particularly once players discovered they could lodge the 3-position blade switch in those in between positions to access neck, middle and bridge, and middle pickup combinations. These were often erroneously referred to as the out-of-phase settings. “

RWRP would have required a whole new pickup......but the vintage strats he owned like #1 and Lenny both had stock pickups in them. Also there is no special tone from RWRP, only a decrease in hum......which certainly doesn't seem to be anything to do with the 'special tone' the OP seems to be searching for.
Especially given that some of his most famous songs are on the neck pickup alone.

 

[Blille]

Re: Reverse polarity?

RWRP would have required a whole new pickup......but the vintage strats he owned like #1 and Lenny both had stock pickups in them. Also there is no special tone from RWRP, only a decrease in hum......which certainly doesn't seem to be anything to do with the 'special tone' the OP seems to be searching for.
Especially given that some of his most famous songs are on the neck pickup alone.

I think it’s clear from the second part of my post that you quoted that the “OOP rumors” were in fact the in between sounds.

And yes, like I mentioned the RWRP would only take care of the hum.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Reverse polarity?

Yes, that was directed to the OP mainly..........as your was.

 

[PicoRiveraTele]

Re: Reverse polarity?

I read somewhere that Stevie Ray Vaughan reversed the polarity of his middle pickup to achieve his distinctive sound. Is this simply a matter of switching the wiring around or do you actually have to flip the magnets? As you can tell, I'm no electronics expert.

It sounds like you're thinking of Peter Green.