Single Coil/ Dual Coil

The coiling on a pickup refers to the number of magnets that the pickup uses to catch the electric field and send it out to the amplification system. Single coil pickups for basses are comprised of one magnet coiled by a copper wire, while dual coil pickups have two magnets. Dual coil are also known as humbuckers, as they negate the humming feedback which is created with a single coil model.

Types of Bass Pickup

There are several types of bass pickups. The most basic categories are magnetic and piezoelectric. Magnetic coils work along the mechanisms described above, generating pickups through the magnetic field. Piezoelectric guitar pickups use crystals to generate the electricity that is then picked up and sent to the amplifier. All pickups will use one or the other basic generating mechanisms, and some work in combination. They then fall into one of several other categories.

J Pickups are the basses answer to the hexagonic pickups found for some guitars, in that they lie underneath all four of the strings of the bass. These pickups are wired opposite to each other, so even though they are generally single-coil, the hum generated is greatly reduced.

P Pickups are the original style of pickup found in the first widely popular bass designed by Leo Fender back in the ‘70s. These pickups are two halves of one single coil pickup, and each half is placed underneath two of the bass’ strings. Like the J pickups, they are wired in opposite directions to reduce the hum.

Humbuckers, like the same model for guitars, use a dual coil system to eliminate hum. They are the same shape as the J pickups, but in order to incorporate both magnet systems they are much wider.

People commonly refer to soapbox pickups as a distinct variety, but in fact they are merely housing. Soapbox pickups may contain any one of the three types of pickup used in basses. Further, many bass players use several types of pickup in conjunction in order to round out the sound that they want. The placement of the pickup on the guitar will greatly contribute to the musical effects of the instrument. Having a pickup higher up on the guitar, such as at the neck, will allow the lower sounds to be amplified, maximizing the bass effects. Locating the pickups at the bridge will pick up the tones at the treble end of the scale.

Bass guitar pickups are essential for the sound that you want to generate on your bass. Not only the type, but also the placement of the pickup will influence the sound you are creating. Trying different methods and trying them in combination, along with a good understanding of bass guitar amps, will mean that you can modify your sound to exactly what you want to produce.

Basically, amps work by receiving the signal from the pickup and then amplifying it out so that it can be heard more readily. Amplifiers for bass guitars (and other types of low instruments) have to make adjustments for the low tones generated by the instrument.

    Loudspeakers are larger in bass amplification systems as they need to be able to pull through more air to generate the low frequencies.
    Speakers are made using heavier material, and they are also braced much more tightly than speakers on other amps. Anyone who has ever had a CD or anything else knocked off a stereo by a throbbing baseline should understand the mechanics behind the bracing; low frequencies move more air and thus create more disturbance.
    Preamplifier systems also need to be adjusted to fit low frequencies. These systems generally include equalization controls much lower than other instruments; often down below 40 Hz.
    More complicated internal workings like fans help the amp cool down while using the greater amounts of power.

Types of amp

There are two big types of bass amp, the combo amp and amps assembled by the player. Combo bass guitar amps have all of the components needed to play in one piece, and are best suited to beginner bass players. The assembled package means that there is no assembly required either at first or when moving the amplification system to another gig.

Amps that are assembled must include the basic components of the bass system. These components include the head and the cabinet. These components both further contain specific elements of the amp makeup. The head contains all the electronics that manipulate and reproduce the bass sound, while the cabinet will contain the speakers.

One important part in the head of all bass amps is the preamp. This is where the signal from the pickup enters the amp system. The preamp manipulates the tone from the pickup. Once the sound has been modified, the signal is sent to the power amp. This part of the system drives power into the sound which is put through the speaker. Reconciling the amount of power generated from the power amp with the size of the cabinet is vital in building an amplification system as a cabinet can be wrecked if too much power is sent through it.

If you are thinking about creating your own bass guitar amps from the basic components, remember that not all parts of amp systems are created equal. A preamp system designed for classical guitars, for example, will not be very effective for a bass. Keep your instrument in mind when considering components in order to maximize the sound.

Another excellent resource to find musical instruments for sale is gearmusician.com.

Music

In addition to classic music, the classical guitar is also widely used in two specific types of folk music:

    Celtic Music The guitars are used to add flavor to the other stringed instruments typical in celtic folk music, such as the fiddle and the stand up bass. Celtic music has also incorporated the previously little used strumming patterns on the classical.
    Spanish Music Perhaps the culture best known for their use of the classical guitar in their music are the Spanish. The classical guitar in the hands of a Spanish master gives off a sound like no other, and needs little in the way of accompaniment. It is virtually impossible to find a popular classical guitar player who does not include several dozen songs of Spanish origin in his or her repertoire.

Design

There are several different design variations in classical guitars when compared with acoustic guitars.

    The tuning pegs of the classic instrument are turned backwards.
    The body is made entirely of wood. Acoustics generally have a truss rod made of metal running through the neck. The classical guitar strings do not put the tension on the neck that steel strings of an acoustic will, so this part is generally not included.
    No inlays on the fretboard.
    Classical guitars are slightly wider at the nut than their acoustic and electric counterparts.

Style of Play

Another important difference in the guitar used to play classic music is the ways in which it is played.

    There is a specific posture recommended for classical guitar players. The guitar should be held at a 45 degree angle, with the curve resting on the left knee. The right leg is extended, or used to brace the bottom of the guitar.
    No type of pick or other plectrum is used to pluck the strings. Instead, the fingers are used to pluck the strings to produce a polyphonic sound.
    Strumming is rare in classical guitar playing, but when it is used it is done as a special effect.

And the most important difference….

The most important difference between this instrument and other types of guitar are the strings. Classical guitar strings are made of nylon (they used to be made of ox gut). The three treble strings are made purely of nylon, while the three bass strings are made of a steel wire wrapped with nylon. This string makeup produces the unique sound of classical guitars as well as accounting for the differences in makeup noted above. Nylon strings are also easier to break, which is why strumming is rarely used.

Unlike guitars, bass strings are much less likely to break on a player. This is because of the much heavier gauge that allows the strings to make the deeper sound. Of course, the lighter strings may be prone to breakage, especially depending on your style of play. Aggressive play that includes a lot of slapping will mean that your strings break more often than players with a lighter style. If you do not play aggressively and find that you are having trouble with frequently breaking strings, you might want to check and make sure that you are stringing the bass guitar correctly in the first place; check your bridge to make sure the strings aren’t cutting on any sharp outcroppings.

Aside from breakage, basses may need their strings changed in order to maintain a sound that is clear and bright. Changing your strings for tonal maintenance will mean that the frequency you change the strings at depend on what you want to hear from your instrument and how often you play; some players may prefer the deader sound that well-used strings give off.

Types of Bass Strings

Bass guitar strings are classified according to how they are wound. Bass strings are actually made of two different strings; the core string and the winding string. The core string is pretty thick, while the winding string coils about the core in a wrapping pattern; this is why strings appear grooved.

Each type of bass string is named after the winding string used to wrap the core. Roundwound strings have a round shape, while flatround are created flat. Both will produce a different sound. Roundwounds sound very clear and are the most widely used type of string, as they can be applied to all sorts of musical styles. Flatround have flatter wrapping strings, and produce a mellower sound than roundwound. They are also very durable, as they have fewer grooves due to their broad makeup.

Re-using Bass Strings

Because of the durability of bass guitar strings, they do not have to be replaced as often as those used on acoustic and electric guitars. In fact, many players find that they can regain some of the brightness of the strings just by cleaning them. To do this, denatured alcohol is used (do not use water, as it will rust the strings). All the musician has to do is soak the strings in the solution for a half a day or more.

Because bass guitar strings are so important to your individual sound, it is best to gain a lot of knowledge about the way you play each type of string. As noted above, some players might find that they prefer the deader sound of old strings. When changing your strings, make sure not to bump your bass guitar pickups out of position!

One of the big differences in each of these kinds of amps is the power it uses. The power is located in the head of the amp, and the places that generate the power used for the amplification system are known as power amps.

Audio power amps are included in combo amps, along with everything else. The power produced is measured in watts, which is the unit used in many electric functions. The more range or power that is needed, the greater the wattage in the power amplifier. The result might be called a high power amplifier. This is useful to know for those musicians who prefer to design their own amplification systems.  There are also several major types of audio power amplifiers. Some of the more commonly used are the stereo power amplifier, the mono power amplifier, the solid state power amplifier and the vacuum tube power amplifier just to name a few.

Measuring the power used by amps can be tricky, as there is not a proportional measurement in the power output and the decibel level (dB). Decibels are used as measurements (for the purpose of music) of acoustics, although they also apply to electric functions. Decibels are very small units, and one decibel is roughly equivalent to the smallest change in sound that a human can perceive.

Simply put, doubling the wattage of the power output in power amps will not double the decibel level. Instead, increasing the wattage by two times will increase the decibel level by 3. This is the case no matter what wattage you are doubling, be it 300W to 600W, or 100W to 200W. It is always constant.

For the musician, the measurement of the power amp is important as it directly relates to how well the instrument will be heard over other systems. Most soundboards will include equalization controls which compensate for electronic instruments which require greater power amps, such as keyboards and even basses. As a mid-range instrument, guitar amplifiers do not require such a high power output. However, levels on the power amp of the amplifier hooked up to the guitar need to be adjusted upwards so that the guitar, including solos and rhythms, can be heard over the other instruments. Often, guitar players find that the power setting should create a +3dB in comparison with the other instruments.

Understanding the function of power amps is essential to musicians who play in bands. The power amplifier is what will produce the electric energy necessary for an instrument such as the guitar to be heard over keyboards and drums, without the instruments drowning each other out. Amps should be purchased according to the style of music that you play, and the venue you play in.

The types of electric guitar pickups

There are two kinds of pickup. Both use different principles of electronics and sound wave manipulation to send the sound to the amplifier. The oldest type are the magnetic pickups. These pickups consist of a magnet encased in hundreds of turns of copper wire. The vibrations from the strings of the guitar are picked up on the magnetic field that runs between the magnet and the strings, which is always the same when a string has not been plucked. When a string is plucked, the field is changed, and an electric pulse is created which is transferred to the amplification unit.

One issue with magnetic pickups is that the electronic field can create a hum on the low frequency end of the vibration. This hum is picked up by the amplifier along with the sound. To combat this effect, the double coil pickup was created, which has two magnets instead of just one. These pickups are also called humbuckers.

It is possible to make your own pickup, but it takes a lot of time and a lot of patience. In addition, you will not know if you have coiled the wire properly until you feed the power in, and if it does not work that is more hours spent wrapping and figuring out where you went wrong. Still, if you feel confident with this type of activity, there are kits that you can purchase to create your own pickup.

The other, more recent type of pickup is the piezoelectric pickup. Piezo electronics uses crystals to manipulate electric fields to generate voltage. In order to ensure the full response of the sound field, it is necessary to fit the guitar with a buffer, since they are in series. Due to the frequency of the series version of piezoelectric pickups, they are often labeled hexaphonic pickups. This is erroneous, however, as hexaphonic pickups can be used in both piezoelectric and magnetic pickups. The term merely refers to a pickup modulator located under each of the six strings of a guitar (in the case of a piezo electric device, there would be six crystals).

There are dozens of electric guitar pickups available, including those that are built in to electric guitars and those that serve as replacement pickups. Just like with the bass guitars, though, different people will find that some pickups work better with different guitars. Generally, the lower the output of the pickup, the cleaner the sound.

Types of Guitar Amps

There are basically two types of guitar amps. Each can be found today both second hand and off the assembly line.

• Vacuum tube amps are named from their active electrical component. These amps were the only kind available from the 1930s to the mid ‘60s. The construction of the tubes meant that they were hard to transport as well as costly, as they had to be replaced every year. Still, they remain popular for their sound.
• Solid state amps came about with the use of semiconductors. These amps did not have to be replaced as often as the vacuum tubes, as the name suggests the insides were packed more tightly and less prone to being shaken loose. They were also much lighter and therefore easier to transport. They also do not require the warm up that tube amps need.

Components of the Amp

A guitar amp has two major sections, the head and the cabinet. The speakers are housed in the cabinet, while the electronic parts are stored in the head. These sections can be purchased together (as a combo amp) or separately.

All parts of the amp are responsible for producing the unique sound of the guitar. Guitar heroes are known for messing around with all parts of their instruments and amplification systems to produce signature sounds. Often, Fender amps or those designed by other companies are abused in ways beyond the designer’s wildest dreams. Often these changes result in companies like Fender designing effects pedals and built in drives on the amplifiers in order to reproduce the sounds, although in some cases, like Eddie Van Halen, no one has been able to copy his choppy sounds.

Parts of the Amp

• The preamp is where the signal from the guitar is first sent. This electric device manipulates and distorts the signal to the programmed sound.
• The power amp sucks in the air used to drive the sound through the speakers.
• The speakers are the output for the sound. There can be several speakers located within the cabinet of the amp.

Amp Effects
Perhaps the most well known effect of a guitar amp is distortion. Distortion was not always a part of the amplifier’s makeup, but with the popularity it gained in the ‘70s manufacturers such as Fender began to incorporate distortion dials on their amps, and today there are distortion knobs on almost all guitar amps.

Many musicians will use the same amp for a combination of musical instruments. It should be noted, though, that there are amps designed specifically to different instruments. Guitar amps will produce a different frequency from keyboard amps, and so forth.

The changing definition of the sequencer

Since the production of electronic music was first started, sequencers were any devices which recorded information from electronic musical instruments and then played it back to the mixer, musician, or composer. For this reason, sequencers have always been a vital component in devices such as drum machines, keyboards, synthesizers, digital pianos and even music software.

Today, the use of midi sequencer data has cast the role of sequencers in an entirely different scenario. The synced data from the MIDI when read by the sequencer is an important step in a composer’s journey towards putting together an overall piece of music; the use of the MIDI also allows a substantial amount of time to be cut out of the process of creating a specific sound and making sure that vital pieces are not cut out simply due to human error.

Choosing a sequencer

As advanced technology, sequencers are not cheap and not all are created equal. Generally, a music sequencer can be purchased built into workstations or as part of an assemble-yourself project. There are some important things to keep in mind when selecting a sequencer.

1) Is the sequencer right for your musical style? Mixers, engineers, and producers will ensure anyone that piecing together a composition which involved a multitude of musically voices is every bit as intricate as writing the music in the first place. Putting together a piece is a work of art unto itself, not unlike assembling a mosaic, only with tone instead of tesserae. Putting the piece together requires a certain feel to the process, even though to the untrained eye the feel may be about a bunch of lines and graphics on a screen. Therefore, potential buyers of sequencers should make sure they are comfortable with the feel of the sequencer they invest in.

2) Is the audio sequencer user friendly? Like any hardware, sequencers come in varying degrees when it comes to ease of use. Advanced mixers might enjoy the challenge of figuring out various layered functions on their investment, but others may prefer a straightforward approach to the mixing process. Keep in mind here that as a general rule, more complicated processes will yield higher results in the end. User friendly features will include items like the graphics interface and the ease of selection (ie, just a click of the mouse, or do you have to push a combination of buttons on your keyboard?)

3) Is this model reliable? Like any piece of technology, sequencers are prone to bugs. Some companies have just been more successful in preventing bugs from messing up the reliability of their sequencers than others. Some of the names that come up time and time again in terms of reliable sequencers are Cakewalk and LogicExpress as well as yamaha sequencer.

All sequencers will need to be used in tandem with samplers. The compatibility between your music sequencer and your sampler will also be a major consideration in your purchase.

For more information visit: music sequencers or to buy sequencers online.

1. Play the guitar
2. Inspect for cracks, dents and scratches
3. Test the neck for strength and twist
4. Sight the neck for straightness
5. Check a bolt-on neck’s alignment
6. Inspect the nut’s shape, slots and action
7. Check the fret condition and height
8. Make sure the truss rod works
9. Check the bridge and tailpiece
10. Check the tuning keys
11. Make sure the hardware is secure
12. Check the electronics

If you follow these steps, your questions about what to look for at ‘guitar sales’, ‘how to buy a guitar’ or ‘how to buy a bass guitar’ will be quickly answered. The rules for either are the same.

Here some more excellent tips on how to buy a guitar, when investigating a guitar for sale, from Dan Cross:

Have patience - do not decide you HAVE to buy the guitar that day. Plan on taking at least two trips to the music store.
Maintain control - You are in charge! Don’t let music store salesmen intimidate you.
Research - The web is a great place to find info on guitars. Use it to your advantage!
Get help - if at all possible, recruit a friend who plays guitar to help you choose an instrument. If not, don’t be afraid to ask music store employees multiple questions.

You do not have to be an expert guitarist to get a good deal on a good guitar at a guitar sale. What you do have to be is a disciplined shopper.

For many guitarists, especially novices, trying out a guitar in a music store can be an intimidating experience. Invariably, there are several other guitarists in the store who feel the need to show off their skills on the instrument, by playing all their most impressive licks. Understandably, this can be scary, but you’ll need to focus on your goal - finding the best instrument possible, for the least money.

Scan the store until you find an instrument that appeals to you. Make sure you are given a good stool, and a pick (although I suggest you bring one you’re comfortable with). If you’re looking at electric guitar sales and playing an electric guitar, make sure you’re plugged into an amp similar to the one you plan to use. If you’ve only got a small practice amp at home, don’t allow the guitar to be plugged into a Marshall half-stack through a rack of pedals.

The first few times I tried out a guitar in a music store, I remember playing very quietly so no one would hear that I wasn’t very good. A perfectly natural instinct, but in retrospect I’ve realized it was the silliest thing I could have done. In order to really hear the tonal qualities of a guitar (either electric or acoustic), it needs to be played at a reasonable volume. Do not be afraid to strum the open strings hard - listening to the guitar’s sustain, and keeping an ear open for problems like buzzing strings. If you’re having a hard time hearing (due to other guitarists in the store, etc.), ask to play the guitar in a separate room, or in a quieter part of the store. It should be noted I’ve been in music stores where owners glared at me for turning up the guitar a little, or strumming an acoustic vigorously. My solution to the problem - I hand them the guitar, say thanks, and take my business to a store that allows me to find out what the guitar sounds like before I buy it. I urge you to do the same… these people are obviously not very familiar with the way guitars work, thus not the best stores to deal with anyway.

Let’s look for a moment at guitar makers and manufacturers and which are at the top of the heap. Probably the 3 most widely known and respected guitar makers are Martin, Gibson and Fender guitars. These manufacturers have been a huge part of the industry for decades and their reputations speak for themselves. Martin guitars however, are slightly different than Gibson guitars or fender guitars in that they don’t make electric guitars, per say but only acoustic and acoustic-electric models. Hopefully, before you start hunting down the guitar sales in your local area you’ll learn these simple steps. For more information, visit this article at Guitar Sales.

The guitar standard tuning is as follows:

STRING - 6th String (bottom, bass, low) NOTE - E
5th String - A
4th String - D
3rd String - G
2nd String - B
1st String (top, treble, high) - E

Tips For Any Guitar Tuning Method

First, lets cover a few things that every player should know when taking the proper approach to guitar tuning and how to learn to tune guitar.

Learn to attach the strings to the machine heads properly. Never try to tune down to a note. Stretch the strings and tune up to the note. Tuning heads have a certain amount of ‘play’ in them so make a couple of deep bends and then fine tune the string. Before tuning a suspect string, check it against both adjacent strings to determine which string is actually out of tune. The string you suspect may not even be the culprit. When tuning a guitar with a vibrato arm, tune the string, give the arm a good shake, stretch the string, give the arm another shake and fine tune.

Veterans of guitar playing will already know these things so if you’re a beginner and just learning to play the guitar, you’re already ahead of the game if you implement these practices into your routine. For a great tool visit Guitar Tuner.

Here’s A Quick Method For Guitar Tuning

Tune the treble (high) E string to an A440 tuning fork by holding your finger on the 5th fret, then tune the open B string to the open treble E string – listening to the interval of a fourth. It’s easy to hear the fourth in that register.

Play the A note fretted at the 2nd fret of the G string, and compare it to the open treble E string – you’re listening for a perfect fifth interval.

Fret the 2nd fret E note on the D string and compare it to the treble E string open. Double check this by fretting the E note on the 14th fret of the D string.

Now tune the 7th fret harmonic on the A string (an E note) to the open treble E string.

Finally, tune the 5th fret harmonic on the bass E string to the open treble E string.

This is a simple guitar tuning method that works well.