MOTM

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Celeste H <celesteh@...>
> I was thinking that the signal going down the wire
> would generate an electric field around the string
> and that would make the pickups go
----
Electromagnetic fields can be generated around a wire.  However, what is
required is that current actually pass through the string / wire.  It is the
presence of current in a conductor the creates the EM field.  Simply
applying a signal to one end would not work for two reasons:  1. The current
is not passing through the string  2. the signal is probably not of
sufficient amplitude.

But, that brings up another crazy idea.  How about taking the "post
amplified" synth signal and making one or two of the guitar strings part of
the electrical path between the amp and the speaker.  Since I imagine most
strings are electrically common at a metal bridge, but isolated at the keys,
you could conduct from one key down one string, through the brigde, and back
out another key.

A quick check of an electric guitar I have here yeild from 2 to 6 ohms for
the key-string-bridge-string-key  round trip depending on whether you use
big strings or little ones.

Disclaimer:  This is a stupid electonic trick  Care need to be excercised to
keep a proper load on your amplifier at all times.  And, care needs to be
excercised in the amount of power used.  Even with these small resistances,
I would think it might be possible to actually heat the strings somewhat.

> If that's not the case, i could just hook the output
> to a piezo speaker or something, and solder that
> to a string to get mechanical motion.

Now there is a better idea as speakers are already efficient transducers of
electrical to mechanical energy.  However, I would think you would need
something a little beefier than a piezo or tweeter.

Larry H