Pitch vs tone

[JamesP]

This is something I’ve never thought about with guitar on all of the years I’ve played, but have been thinking about it a ton having started singing lessons 9 months ago. If I play a note on guitar, the exact same note can sound very different from one guitar to the next or if (on electric) adjust the tone knob/EQ/different amp. Likewise, two people can sing the exact same note and it can sound very different. So, what’s changing? Notes have a pitch that is a specific frequency, right? For example, A4 is 440hz. But if two guitars are both playing A4 or two singers are both singing A4, what is changing in the sound wave for them to sound different but still the same note?

[Newbie]

So, are you saying that even if I play the same note on different guitars, they can sound really different? I thought it was just about hitting the right note. How do I know which guitar is right for me?

[GearNerd]

The differences you hear come from harmonic content and how each instrument shapes its waveforms. Each guitar has unique pickups and wood types that affect the overtones produced. When you adjust EQ or the tone knob, you're altering how these harmonics blend. It’s all about the frequency response of the gear used.

[BluesGuy]

Exactly! Tone is everything in blues. It's not just about hitting the right pitch; it’s how you express it. A note on a Les Paul sounds different than on a Strat, thanks to the sustain and warmth from the wood. It’s all about the feel and emotion behind each note.

[MetalPlayer]

I’ll say this: a guitar’s clarity and aggression come from its pickups and amp settings. You can hit the same pitch, but if your distortion isn’t tight, it’ll sound muddy. For metal, it’s crucial to have that punchy attack and crisp high end. Pitch is secondary to how you deliver it.