Post by ChrisK on Jul 24, 2007 18:58:39 GMT -5
Chris and I contend there is a "dynamic braking" effect. Like a generator with the output shorted.
Exactly, a motor is a generator is a motor.
Since the string is vibrating within the magnetic field of the pickup and inducing changes in the magnetic field surrounding/penetrating the coil and thence generating an output signal, energy for this signal (which is comprised of energy) must come from the string.
We cannot sense something without affecting it.
If the pickup is driving a 100K load, less energy is required than if it is driving a 10K load. A shorted coil is driving its internal impedance only (the maximum load that can be so impressed thereon). Such maximum loading will affect the duration of a given kinetic energy in a vibrating string. The dissipation of that given kinetic energy will depend on many things including (but not limited to) the damping effect of all of the materials making up the guitar in toto, the damping effect of the magnets alone, and the damping effect of the electrical load.
But I'm under the impression that in order to drive a magnet hard enough to affect the real world, one has to use a pretty powerful current, as in amperage, not in voltage.
That requires a definition of "hard enough" and "real world".
There is no quibble aboot regarding the effect of different pots on a given pickup. The higher the resistance, the less the attenuation of the harmonics (it sounds brighter). If we really load the pickup (even with a 50K pot), we really darken the sound. This increased loading affects the apparent tone (harmonics) of the generator coil more so than the fundamental. We are dissipating more energy in the increased loading, and reducing the available output level.
Duncan's Potentiometer Values (scroll down to);
www.seymourduncan.com/support/techtips.shtml
The tone-producing components of pickups and electric guitars in general are subtle at best. A handfull of picoFarads or turns or KOhms makes all of the difference in the world.
When I tested this a few years back, I had the bridge pickup sensing the string and the neck pickup either shorted or open (when open, one wire was hanging from the output). The tone was brighter when I had the neck pickup open. I then tested with the neck pickup sensing the string and the bridge pickup either shorted or open (when open, one wire was hanging from ground). The tone was brighter when I had the bridge pickup open, although the difference was less than the first case.
This goes to the effect on tone.
Now, the effect of the magnets alone may well exceed the effects of shorted coils on string energy dissipation. After all, there are many that claim that a Fender Esquire sounds quite different than a Tele (not as "perturbed", in a chaos theory kind of way).
But loading is and hence, Work Is. This goes to the effect on energy dissipation. It HAS to be.
Chris thinks I'm all wet on that one.
Not really, I just haven't proved it to myself yet.