Guitar Electronics Activity

This 12-page resource from the STEM Guitar Project is an activity on the design and function of an electric guitar control circuit. In this activity, students gain an understanding of individual electronic components and how to assemble an electric guitar control circuit from a circuit diagram.

The activity includes a brief description, learning objectives, education standards, a list of required materials, references, electrical circuit terminology, Ohm's Law basics, assembly and electrical circuit testing steps, activity questions, and more.

Activity learning objectives include:

• Plan the assembly of components according to a wiring diagram.
• Properly solder components together into a wiring harness.
• Use Ohm's Law to quantify the effect of a resistor on voltage and current within a circuit.
• Use Ohm's Law to estimate values in a voltage divider circuit using a potentiometer.
• Utilize proper wire stripping, soldering, and grounding techniques.

A PowerPoint presentation titled Electric Guitar Controls is also included. Students are instructed to review this presentation during the assembly and testing of electrical circuits portion of the activity. The presentation covers potentiometer testing, volume pot, volume control, tone control, the selector switch for pickups, the capacitor, fuses, and more.