Strange problem..help

KaiserSoze

Senior Member
Messages
309
So I have a Strat with just a bridge humbucker. I can tap on the pickguard and it sounds like bongos through my amp. Why is that? The pickup shouldn't pick that up should it?
 
It's possible you have a microphonic pickup.  You could also be picking up the sympathetic vibration of the strings, but if you're muting them when you tap on the pickguard, that seems unlikely.


Here's a video demonstrating what a microphonic humbucker can sound like.  Compare to this.


[youtube]tRrPl43v3l0[/youtube]
 
I have an unpotted bare knuckle mule. Probably the issue. Sounds great but I guess I'll have to live with a microphonic pickup
 
So something cool…If I have my fuzz and delay on, I can tap a drumbeat on my pickguard that comes through sounding like a bongo beat.  Kind of fun.
 
My old Telestar does the same thing. Every thing you touch (switches, knobs, pickguard) comes through the amp. Annoying, yet somehow kinda fun sometimes (especially if you add echo, reverb and an octave pedal).
 
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