Any advantage to using a single pickup?

+SAM+ · #1 11-16-2009, 12:31 PM

I've seen a load of guitarists do this, they remove the pickups from their guitar apart from one. VH done it too, does it actually do anything or is it just aesthetic?

nsabino · #2 11-16-2009, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by +SAM+

I've seen a load of guitarists do this, they remove the pickups from their guitar apart from one. VH done it too, does it actually do anything or is it just aesthetic?

Well basically it leaves you with one pickup...... Don't see any advantage in this in comparison to having say 3....

Regards,
Nelson

AxeHappy · #3 11-16-2009, 01:49 PM

You don't need a pickup selector switch. Less wiring means less noise. If you only want that bridge pickup sound, in theory it is superior.

However, most people are more than willing to put up with the tiny (and I stress tiny) amount of extra noise you get out of the extra connection for the tonal options provided by having multiple pickups.

I also suppose not having to cut the wood out provides additonal building options. Something about a strong join or more wood = more tone or something like that...

Magical Muffin · #4 11-16-2009, 02:26 PM

Of course, it's completely pointless if you're guitar already has more than 1 pickup, unless you really want to pull out a bunch of wires.

The neck pickup is way to cool sounding to not have though, imo. If it's a guitar that was built with only one, I'd be fine, but pulling them out just seems silly to me.

djohns74 · #5 11-16-2009, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magical Muffin

Of course, it's completely pointless if you're guitar already has more than 1 pickup, unless you really want to pull out a bunch of wires.

The neck pickup is way to cool sounding to not have though, imo. If it's a guitar that was built with only one, I'd be fine, but pulling them out just seems silly to me.

Agreed, though I have done it. I have a Strat copy that I had Van Halen-ized with a striped paint job at one point, but the three single coils in it made no sense and sounded like crap besides. So I picked up a single humbucker pickguard with just a volume control and installed that instead. Seemed more in line with the idea of the guitar to me. Besides, I have plenty of other guitars with neck pickups.

GuitarBizarre · #6 11-16-2009, 02:52 PM

less noise in the wiring, simpler circuit, and you don't get magnet pull on the strings from the neck pickup, so the guitar MIGHT sustain a TINY bit longer.

Though really, its an aesthetic thing for most people, serving no real purpose.

C.Thep · #7 11-16-2009, 03:49 PM

Because re-wiring an entire guitar is a bitch.

LowYaw · #8 11-17-2009, 08:56 AM

becuase they want the Oi! Me Punk! or EVH or sort of "meat-and-potatoes no "s**t straight rock and roll" attitude. no reasoning other then this, i believe.

crossbones · #9 11-17-2009, 09:04 AM

Fill the neck slot, or be made un routed and it will give better tone! More wood!

theapprentice · #10 11-17-2009, 09:30 AM

One of the probable effects of using only one pickup would be slightly more sustain, due to more wood being saved and having less magnets interfering with the vibration of the strings. At least, according to a guitar buddy of mine.

SonicProvocateur · #11 11-17-2009, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuitarBizarre

less noise in the wiring, simpler circuit, and you don't get magnet pull on the strings from the neck pickup, so the guitar MIGHT sustain a TINY bit longer.

Bingo. Also, when it comes to pickup choice, having a hot pickup that you can use only one volume knob to control the entire spectrum of tones to go from clean to full blown is important.

This is also Paul Gilbert and Brad Paisley's approach to wiring, but with more than one pickup. Having less wiring DOES affect tone, and having less magnets pulling on the strings DOES affect sustain. Positively or negatively...

**jim777** · #12 11-17-2009, 10:53 PM

I am ALWAYS shredding on my one pickup shred machine!

Manticore · #13 11-17-2009, 11:13 PM

there is absolutely no advantage to having pick ups and/or controls on you guitar you don't have any use for.

+SAM+ · #14 11-18-2009, 06:00 AM

Oh ok, I thought if I took out my neck pickup and just left in my bridge Evolution it'd give me some killer sound improvement!! Stupid me believing Hollywood guitarists

RedTiger · #15 11-19-2009, 05:35 PM

Sorta/kinda related, if you look at one humbucker guitars, you might see a Kramer Baretta that has the pickup slanted at an angle.

This was originally done by EVH to have the pole pieces on an old humbucker line up better with the strings. This is before there was any such thing like "F-spacing" or "Trembuckers". Having played a Focus for a bit, I think there is a noticible difference tone-wise when the pickup is slanted like this. It seems like I can get a more resonant sound but maintain the crunchiness on those base strings because I can turn down the bass EQ and maintain the treble.

So, you should keep your neck pickup, but there's the reason why you should take out any middle pickup and chop out the bridge pickup's route. Who needs versatility?