X-X-X huh? You mean I get to choose where to place the pup? How 'bout (here)...

[DustyCat]

Right smack dab, square on the natural harmonic?  :evil4:

Meaning...do the necessary math to figure out where the "5th, 7th or 12th fret" natural harmonic would be in pup real estate (24th, 29th, 31st 36th fret?) And place the pickup so the poles lie D-I-R-E-C-T-L-Y underneath that naturally occurring harmonic?  :blob7:

Would it chime like crazy and get the crispiest, clearest, strongest harmonics?  :sign13:

Are the pickups already placed here in standard configurations? :doh:

 

[spauldingrules]

I think you get NO harmonic.  See tele neck pickup and 5th fret harmonic.

 

[B3Guy]

well, a harmonic "location" is actually a node (in simple physics terms) when you play the harmonic. it is a node . . . basically a spot on the string that vibrates the least.

 

[DustyCat]

well, a harmonic "location" is actually a node (in simple physics terms) when you play the harmonic. it is a node . . . basically a spot on the string that vibrates the least.

Node.
Right. Forgot about that word, but that's exactly what I meant. :doh:
If the pickup poles were directly under a node (a strong one? Like a 12 or a 24 or a 36) how would that affect the tone? :dontknow:

Basically, I'm thinking about going with just one pickup on the body of my next kit (I wish I could build) and want to make the most out of it. (Was thinking P90, or shit...even a Zephyr if it can do what they say it does). :toothy10: :tard:

 

[line6man]

If the pickup poles were directly under a node (a strong one? Like a 12 or a 24 or a 36) how would that affect the tone? :dontknow:

The harmonic that corresponds to the node in question would be close to inaudible, as the string would vibrate least in that specific area.
If you want to get a feel for this, try playing the neck pickup on a Strat, versus the middle pickup. You will find that the neck pickup has harmonic dead spots.

 

[Dan025]

well, a harmonic "location" is actually a node (in simple physics terms) when you play the harmonic. it is a node . . . basically a spot on the string that vibrates the least.

Node.
Right. Forgot about that word, but that's exactly what I meant. :doh:
If the pickup poles were directly under a node (a strong one? Like a 12 or a 24 or a 36) how would that affect the tone? :dontknow:

Basically, I'm thinking about going with just one pickup on the body of my next kit (I wish I could build) and want to make the most out of it. (Was thinking P90, or shite...even a Zephyr if it can do what they say it does). :toothy10: :tard:

the thing with nodes is that they move when you fret strings. picking up the string on a node occasionally cant really be avoided

 

[AutoBat]

i remember when i first detected the missing 5th harmonic on the neck pup strat/teles.
immediately followed by hitting it, then using the pup selector to make killswitch type sounds.

 

[erogenousjones17]

i remember when i first detected the missing 5th harmonic on the neck pup strat/teles.
immediately followed by hitting it, then using the pup selector to make killswitch type sounds.

I must try this, even though I've never noticed the lack of 5th fret harmonics on a Strat... Dammit, why can't I have an office guitar?!?

 

[DustyCat]

[/quote]

the thing with nodes is that they move when you fret strings. picking up the string on a node occasionally cant really be avoided
[/quote]

Ahhhh....dang it...I forgot about that part too! Gr....

Alright, maybe I've been going about this the wrong way...There's a beautiful body I want, and don't want to cut it up (as few cuts as possible) meaning 1 Volume, 1 Tone, 1 Pickup...Now what is the most common 1 pickup configuration 1 Humbucker in the bridge...
However, I was thinking maybe going P90, maybe also a Piezo (doesn't it attach real slim-like to the bridge?)

P90 for Firery/Beefy tone arty07:, Piezo for a little sophistication/versatility. :guitaristgif:
Unless you guys have suggestions, which I've heard some good ones already  :icon_thumright:

 

[B3Guy]

you could go ape-shyeat crazy and do what I've had in my brain for the last couple weeks:

you take one of these: http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/stratocaster/progressive/classic_stack_p/
one of these: http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/stratocaster/cutting-edge/little_59_for_s/
and stick them both under one of these: https://tvjones.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=02-030-10
(which of course you have drilled the appropriate holes in). Voila! Ultimate neck "pickup" that is actually 2 in 1.

 

[swarfrat]

You can get piezo bridge saddles for a wide variety of bridges - you just have a hole for the wires to go down - minimal cutting. I've pondered a middle pickup for a single pickup before, although I suspect, somewhere between middle and bridge is probably about where you'd really want a single pickup to be. (But maybe that's my strat position 2 bias creeping in - and it really isn't the same thing)

 

[SGD Lutherie]

You can put a pickup anywhere you like. It doesn't, and probably shouldn't, be under a harmonic node. If you put one there you will lose those open string harmonics. But they have been a good rule of thumb for finding locations to stick pickups, so people keep putting them there.