Maybe not so gentle after all

Sorry Mr. Roboto

Moving on

I've decided to look at the guitar as two complementary, yet separate, systems.
There is the string mounting system that holds the strings in tension with adjustments to allow for tension and height (above pickups/frets) to be easily changed.
The second system is the electrical system involving the pickups, corresponding switches and "Tone" controls as well as the "Volume" control and cable connection.
There is no physical connection between the two systems yet they work in unison to provide the functionality of a guitar.
My interest in this item, moving forward, is to disregard the strings and see how else I can use the pick-ups to make noise through an amp.

For now though, I believe I am supposed to be disassembling a different item. C'mon over little robot friend, I'll be gentle.

Vivisection Images

Here's a couple picturesfrom my vivisection this weekend.

Inducing Voltage

The underlying principles of an electric guitar are simple. Voltage is induced through the alteration of a magnetic field within which is found a coil of wire. All of this occurs within the pick-ups and is caused by the moving (vibrating, etc.) strings.

The most beneficial aspect of this operation for my purposes is that it requires no electrical power to work. The signal is generated through the conversion of physical movement to an AC Voltage.

Basic voltage induction theory will tell you that anytime a conductor gets exposed to a moving magnetic field a voltage will be induced.
The common ways to create a moving magnetic field are:
-Moving a magnet (shocking, i know)
-Expanding or collapsing a magnetic field (electromagnets need only apply for this one)
-or (as an electric guitar does through the use of metal strings) The movement of another conductor within the field.

The voltage created is a very weak Alternating Current. It is made stronger in this application by using a coil of wire so that the magnetic field has more wire in which to induce voltage. The amplifier that guitars are plugged into are required to -as one would guess- amplify the still rather weak current provided by the guitar and use it to drive speakers.

Creating Autonomous Mechanical Creatures

Here's something I found:


I found it here: http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/162

The difficulty in drawing an Icon

My art skills have never been especially strong, but they've always got me by. The task I find before me is proving to be far more difficult than I had expected. Drawing a Fender Stratocaster should be easy- but- EVERYONE knows what it is supposed to look like. It has an Iconic form and presence in North America (and elsewhere I imagine). Its shape is known to even the least musical, and any mistakes I make in representing this shape on paper will be immediately evident to anyone. Oh well.

Items Finalized

The record player has finally been obtained and I managed to talk my brother out of his old electric guitar. I've always wondered exactly how both of these items work- now I'll have an excuse to find out

Updated Items list

I recovered from surgery nicely- although I am stuck wearing a white plastic splint till Monday. I think the worst part was likely the anesthetic hangover.
So back to business it is. The record player has become an issue, but I still hope to have one by the end of the day. Also added to the list is a motion sensor light.

First Vivisection of the year

I was involved in my first vivisection of the year earlier today. Unfortunately I was the vivisectee. I had septorhinoplasty this morning to straighten out my nose and its inner workings so I can breathe.

First Items acquired!!

So far I've managed to get my hands on:
- A remote control robot
- A child's music/learning station
- An old record player (my favorite so far)