From Faraday to Fender - The Physics of the Electric Guitar

From

to

The Physics of the

Electric Guitar

@dylanbeattie

A Note on String TheoryA Note on String TheoryBOTTOM STRING

(nearest your chin)

TOP STRING(nearest your

toes)

TWANG.TWANG.(also know as “simple harmonic motion”)

WHY IT SOUNDS NICE.WHY IT SOUNDS NICE.(also know as “upper harmonics”)

TUNING 1: TensionTUNING 1: Tension

TUNING 2: Scale LengthTUNING 2: Scale Length

0.9438743126816982...0.9438743126816982...

Temper, TemperTemper, Temper

http://www.truetemperament.com/

TUNING 3: String GaugeTUNING 3: String Gauge

0.048” 0.038” 0.028” 0.018” 0.014” 0.011”

Regular Electric Guitar

Four-String Bass Guitar

0.105” 0.085” 0.065” 0.045”

Fleming’s Right Hand RuleFleming’s Right Hand Rule

Fleming’s Left Hand RuleFleming’s Left Hand Rule

Van Halen Just Plain Van Halen Just Plain RULESRULES

Vibrations and Coils and Vibrations and Coils and Magnets, Oh My!Magnets, Oh My!

It Goes Up To ElevenIt Goes Up To Eleven

The Power ChordThe Power Chord

(aka “non-linear harmonic transforms”)

http://images.mix.com.au/2010/07/27/436366/Angus-Young.jpg

The BendThe Bend

http://www.thefrontloader.com/2009/02/11/gratuitous-guitar-face-76/

See Also: The Whammy See Also: The Whammy BarBar

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Floyd_rose_principle.png

The Dive-Bomb The Dive-Bomb

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43908441@N00/119125211/

The Bad Horsie WailThe Bad Horsie Wail

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43908441@N00/119125211/

http://www.last.fm/music/The+Edge/+images/520607

The Big Finish.The Big Finish.