Feedback is a common issue for electric guitarists, especially at high volumes. It can be caused by a number of factors, including the guitar itself, the amplifier, and the playing environment. While feedback can be used to create interesting and expressive sounds, it can also be disruptive and annoying.
What is feedback?
Feedback occurs when the amplified sound from the speaker is picked up by the guitar pickups and amplified again. This creates a loop, which can cause the sound to grow louder and louder until it becomes uncontrollable.
What causes feedback?
There are a number of factors that can contribute to feedback, including:
- Gain: The higher the gain on your amplifier, the more likely you are to experience feedback. This is because gain increases the volume of the amplified signal, which makes it more likely to be picked up by the pickups.
- Volume: The louder you play, the more likely you are to experience feedback. This is because the louder you play, the more sound there is to be picked up by the pickups.
- Distance between the guitar and amplifier: If the guitar is too close to the amplifier, the amplified sound from the speaker is more likely to be picked up by the pickups.
- Angle between the guitar and amplifier: If the guitar is pointing directly at the amplifier, the amplified sound from the speaker is more likely to be picked up by the pickups.
- Reflective surfaces: Reflective surfaces, such as walls and floors, can bounce the amplified sound from the speaker back into the guitar, which can cause feedback.
- Pickups: Single-coil pickups are more prone to feedback than humbucker pickups. This is because single-coil pickups are more sensitive to noise.
How to control feedback
There are a number of things you can do to control feedback, including:
- Reduce the gain on your amplifier. This is the most effective way to reduce feedback. Start with the gain turned down and gradually increase it until you start to hear feedback. Then, back off the gain until the feedback stops.
- Reduce the volume on your amplifier. This is another effective way to reduce feedback. However, it may also reduce the overall volume of your sound.
- Increase the distance between the guitar and amplifier. This will make it less likely for the amplified sound from the speaker to be picked up by the pickups.
- Angle the guitar away from the amplifier. This will also make it less likely for the amplified sound from the speaker to be picked up by the pickups.
- Avoid reflective surfaces. If possible, try to set up your amp and guitar in a location where there are no reflective surfaces nearby.
- Use a noise gate. A noise gate is a pedal that reduces noise and feedback. It works by cutting off the signal when it drops below a certain level.
Tips for using feedback
While feedback can be a nuisance, it can also be used to create interesting and expressive sounds. Here are a few tips:
- Use the gain knob on your guitar to control the amount of feedback. Turning up the gain will increase the feedback, while turning it down will reduce the feedback.
- Use the volume knob on your guitar to control the intensity of the feedback. Turning up the volume will make the feedback louder, while turning it down will make the feedback softer.
- Use the tone knob on your guitar to control the pitch of the feedback. Turning the tone knob clockwise will make the feedback higher pitched, while turning it counterclockwise will make the feedback lower pitched.
- Use your hands to mute the strings when you don’t want feedback. This will stop the feedback from occurring.
With a little practice, you can learn to control feedback and use it to create unique and interesting sounds.
