Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
magnetic transducers, stringed instruments, electromagnetic pickups
College
Physical and Mathematical Sciences
Department
Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
The idea for this project came at a time when I was learning many new things about sound, electronics, and electromagnetic theory. In fact, it was the combination of these ideas that lead me to question the functioning of magnetic guitar pickups and to wonder if there was a more complete way to represent the sound of a vibrating string. Actually, sound is a bit of a misnomer here because with a magnetic transducer, we are measuring the physical motion of the string and not the acoustic waves it also happens to cause. With guitar pickups and other magnetic transducers, we measure the motion of the string by looking at the voltage induced in a coil of wire as a magnetized string is moved in its vicinity. The induced voltage is proportional to the change in magnetic flux from the string in accordance with Lenz’s law.
Recommended Citation
Skinner, Brandon and Leishman, Dr. Tim
(2013)
"2-Dimensional Magnetic Transducers For Stringed Instruments,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013:
Iss.
1, Article 2752.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/2752