Guitar electronics and wiring configurations are a world of endless possibilities for shaping your instrument’s tone. One intriguing experiment that guitarists often undertake is wiring a pickup backward. This seemingly unconventional practice can yield surprising and sometimes desirable results. In this article, we’ll explore what happens when you wire a pickup backward and how it can impact your guitar’s sound.
Understanding Pickup Polarity
Before delving into the effects of wiring a pickup backward, it’s essential to understand the concept of pickup polarity:
- Magnetic Polarity: Guitar pickups consist of magnets and coils of wire. The magnetic polarity of the magnets determines which string’s vibrations will cause the pickup to produce a positive or negative electrical signal.
- Coil Winding Direction: The direction in which the wire is wound around the pickup’s coil also influences its polarity. Clockwise winding is known as standard winding, while counterclockwise is reverse winding.
Effects of Wiring a Pickup Backward
- Phase Reversal: When you wire a pickup backward, you effectively reverse its magnetic polarity. This means that the strings that would typically produce a positive signal now produce a negative one, and vice versa. This results in a phase reversal of the pickup’s output.
- Sonic Consequences:
- Tonal Shifting: The most noticeable effect of wiring a pickup backward is a shift in tonal character. The pickup’s response to string vibrations changes, resulting in a tonal shift.
- Thinner or Harsher Sound: Depending on the pickup and guitar, wiring a pickup backward can result in a thinner, harsher, or more nasally tone. This can be desirable for achieving specific tonal characteristics.
- Quacky and Out-of-Phase Tones: Some guitarists intentionally wire pickups backward to create “quacky” or out-of-phase tones. This is commonly associated with Peter Green’s famous “out-of-phase” sound on his Les Paul.
- Reduced Output: Wiring a pickup backward can reduce its output level. This is because the magnetic polarity reversal affects how the pickup interacts with string vibrations, leading to a weaker signal.
- Noise Cancellation: In certain cases, reversing the polarity of a pickup can result in noise cancellation. When two pickups with reversed polarity are combined (e.g., middle and neck pickups on a Stratocaster), they can cancel out 60-cycle hum and other interference.
Customization and Creativity
Wiring a pickup backward is just one example of the creative possibilities available to guitarists. Some players intentionally wire specific pickups backward to achieve unique tones for specific songs or musical styles. The effects of this modification can vary depending on the pickup’s design, the guitar’s wiring configuration, and personal taste.
Conclusion
Wiring a pickup backward is a fascinating experiment that can lead to unexpected tonal discoveries. While it may not be suitable for all musical contexts, this practice exemplifies the creative spirit of guitarists who seek to shape their sound in unique ways. Whether you’re after quacky tones, noise cancellation, or a tonal shift, reversing a pickup’s polarity is a tool that adds depth and diversity to your sonic palette as a guitarist.
