Why is the Stratocaster bridge pickup slanted?
The Stratocaster is one of the most popular electric guitars in the world, and its slanted bridge pickup is one of its most distinctive features. But why is it slanted?
There are two main reasons:
- To balance the tone of the guitar. The closer a pickup is to the bridge, the brighter and more treble-y its sound will be. This is because the strings vibrate less at the bridge, which produces a higher frequency sound. The slanted bridge pickup on a Stratocaster helps to compensate for this by bringing the treble strings closer to the pickup and the bass strings further away. This results in a more balanced tone across all six strings.
- To increase treble response and articulation. The slanted bridge pickup also helps to increase the treble response and articulation of the guitar. This is because the angled pickup gives the treble strings a more direct path to the pickup’s magnetic field. This results in a brighter and more articulate sound, which is ideal for lead playing and solos.
In addition to these two main reasons, the slanted bridge pickup also has a few other benefits:
- It helps to reduce feedback. The slanted pickup is less likely to feed back than a straight pickup, because it is not directly in line with the strings.
- It makes the guitar look more unique. The slanted bridge pickup is one of the most distinctive features of the Stratocaster, and it helps to make the guitar stand out from other guitars.
Overall, the slanted bridge pickup is an important part of the Stratocaster’s design. It helps to balance the tone of the guitar, increase treble response and articulation, and reduce feedback. It also gives the guitar a unique look.
Some guitarists prefer to have their bridge pickup straight, rather than slanted. This can be done by simply loosening the screws that hold the pickup in place and rotating it until it is straight. However, many guitarists find that the slanted bridge pickup is the best way to get the classic Stratocaster sound.
