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Vintage threads from the first ten years

previous: LFOscalator Re: What is that strat sound? -- 5/3/2003 6:57 PM

RWRP

5/4/2003 7:01 AM
Steve A.	RWRP LFO: To get true out of phase sound requires that one of the pickups be reverse wound. Reverse Wound Reverse Polarity (AKA RWRP) pickups are often used for the middle pickup to reduce hum; that has nothing to do with the "quacky" sound of the notched position. The middle pickup itself needs to be in phase with the other pickups or you will get an extremely thin sound (I tried a phase switch on a strat and it was completely useless. ) As for your experience with Lindy Fralin pickups, vintage-style strat pickups get more "quack" than a higher output or humcancelling type of pickup. BTW the original strats came with a 3 position selector switch but some of the guitarists back then would "stick" the switch between those positions to get the notched positions. AFAIK the original strats did not use a RWRP middle pickup so the notched positions were more susceptible to hum. I believe that it was in the early 60's that Fender changed to the 5 position selector switch. Steve Ahola P.S. As some of the other posts here mentioned, the position of the middle pickup in relation to the other two pickups will create an out-of-phase effect although the pickups themselves are in-phase electrically.

5/4/2003 7:01 AM

Steve A.

RWRP

LFO:

To get true out of phase sound requires that one of the pickups be reverse wound.

Reverse Wound Reverse Polarity (AKA RWRP) pickups are often used for the middle pickup to reduce hum; that has nothing to do with the "quacky" sound of the notched position. The middle pickup itself needs to be in phase with the other pickups or you will get an extremely thin sound (I tried a phase switch on a strat and it was completely useless.

)

As for your experience with Lindy Fralin pickups, vintage-style strat pickups get more "quack" than a higher output or humcancelling type of pickup.

BTW the original strats came with a 3 position selector switch but some of the guitarists back then would "stick" the switch between those positions to get the notched positions. AFAIK the original strats did not use a RWRP middle pickup so the notched positions were more susceptible to hum. I believe that it was in the early 60's that Fender changed to the 5 position selector switch.

Steve Ahola

P.S. As some of the other posts here mentioned, the position of the middle pickup in relation to the other two pickups will create an out-of-phase effect although the pickups themselves are in-phase electrically.

Replies:

Luijo Fender changed to 5-way switches in... -- 5/4/2003 9:55 AM