Electric guitar pickups play a crucial role in shaping the tone and sound of an electric guitar. One term that often comes up when discussing pickups is "scatter-wound." But what does it mean if an electric guitar pickup is "scatter-wound"?
What is Scatter-Winding?
Scatter-winding is a technique used in the winding process of electric guitar pickups. When a pickup is scatter-wound, it means that the wire is wound onto the pickup's coil in a random or scattered pattern, rather than in a precise and uniform manner.
Benefits of Scatter-Wound Pickups
Scatter-wound pickups are known for producing a more dynamic and nuanced sound compared to pickups wound with a more uniform pattern. The randomness of the winding pattern can result in a pickup that is more sensitive to subtle changes in playing technique and can capture a wider range of tones.
Why is this? Well, when layers of the magnet wire are laid down very uniformly, the pickup as a whole will become more capacitive. All guitar electronics have some overall capacitance, it's unavoidable, but too much can bleed off treble frequencies, making the pickup sound muddy and inarticulate.
Increased Clarity and Articulation
Lower capacitance means that scatter-wound pickups can offer increased clarity and articulation, especially in the high-end frequencies. This can result in a more detailed and defined sound, making them popular among players looking for a more expressive and responsive tone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if an electric guitar pickup is described as "scatter-wound," it means that the wire was wound onto the coil in a random pattern, offering a more dynamic and nuanced sound with increased clarity and articulation. This technique is favored by many players for its ability to capture a wide range of tones and respond to subtle playing nuances.
At Johnny Foreigner, all our pickups are scatterwound, because you deserve the best.
