Those knobs on the guitar
Posted on August 2, 2007
Filed Under Hardware |
First off thanks for answering my last question it was really helpful. So here’s my next one you know those tone knobs on electric guitars, what are they supposed to do exactly? because whenever i turn mine the sound doesn’t change. Oh wait i just thought of another one is there such a thing as a standard action height and if so what is it? and again thanks so much for making this site it’s awesome. God Bless!!!!!
Matt, glad to be helpful.
Guitars can be wired in different ways but generally speaking there are two knobs for each pickup on an electric guitar. One controls the volume, the other controls the tone.
For the volume control zero turns the pickup off and 10 is full volume.
For the tone control zero is the most bass setting and 10 is the most treble.
Many guitars also have a switch of some sort that lets you use different pickup combinations.
Stratocasters have a five position switch that uses pickup combinations in and out of phase. Les Paul’s have a three position switch. Treble uses the pickup closest to the bridge. The bass-ier uses the pickup close to the neck and the middle setting combines both.
If you are messing with the knobs and everything sounds the same, something is not working right. You may want to take it to a music store and ask them why the knobs aren’t making any difference in the tone.
Regarding action: there is a middle of the road height that most shops will use when they are setting up a guitar, but determining the best action has to do with playing style and the guitar. If you have a light touch you can have lower action. If you really “dig in” you will need a higher action. Since the actual difference in height is mere fractions of an inch most of us can get along just fine with that middle of the road setting. If you are playing a lot you may have your guitar set up once or twice a year. In that case the person who is doing the work will get to know you and be able to set the action where you prefer it.
All the best,
John
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hi…..i just got a guitar for my birthday but i don’t no how to play or any notes and stuff can you please help me play i really want to learn but i don’t no how please help please
from gemma