Slanty pick-up

Welcome the the best guitar forum on the net 'Scapegoat.

B/c the strings vibrate less at the bridge (b/c of the tightness), the overall amplitude of the bridge pups is lower compared to the neck or center position. To make up for that, the bridge pups have to be on an incline so that they "pick up" as much vibrations (lower and higher) as possible.

If it was not inclined, then the pups wouldnt get a broad enough variety of vibrations from the strings and the overall amplification would be pretty low.

Also: Just so you know, the bridge pups are usually winded more than the others. This also helps with the amplification.

Hello all, first post 'n what have you. Bit nervous of sounding like an idiot, but....why is the bridge pick-up on a Fender style guitar on a slant whilst the others aren't?"Fender style" is rather broad, since they make the Stratocater, Telecaster, and more. But the Telecaster ("Tele") would come to many guitarists' minds when you mention a slanted pickup at the bridge.
Check out this page http://www.fender.co.uk/fenderfiles/TenTerrificTelecasterGuitars.asp , and scroll down to "Pickup."

Welcome to the forum. "The only 'stupid' question is the one that goes unasked." :wink:

--
Doug C.

Cheers VM, I understand now. Does that mean that Humbucker pick ups have more gain? They seem to be always perpendicular to the strings.

Well, the ouput to the amp is twice as powerful with 'buckers. So, yes. They will sound alot more "gainey" (w/o the added "hum" that single-coils have).

Humbuckers have a very strong, dark, fat tone with little to no buzz or hum.

Single-coils have a bright, clean, twangy tone with alot of buzz and hum.

Note: FYI, you can use the pup switch on fenders so that you activate two pups. Thus, getting the exact effect (well...near exact effect) of humbuckers--no added noise but darker tone.

The bride pickup is slanted to give the high strings a little more bite and make the low ones more mellow.