What are the factors that make a guitar more sensitive to harmonics? (Artificial harmonics like pinch harmonics or other techniques we use while playing )

A thick pick (.96 and up), .10 gauge strings and up, proper thumb positioning, a slightly higher setup, and tons of distortion.

I'll let the master of the pinch harmonic explain and demonstrate the importance of distortion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JqNE4N_XsY

Really? Small strings (like 9s or 10s) have always worked better for me than thicker strings have. Of course, I use medium picks and that might have something to do with that.

_________________
Website: http://www.rebeccalaird.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccalairdmusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/beckslaird
Instagram: http://instagram.com/beckslaird

What would be the best way to practice them? With or without gain?
I was thinking practicing pinch harmonics with a clean sound, would it have a good carryover when I turn on the distortion?

Any factor which allows you to "dig in" a bit will help, I think... typically that may include a slightly higher action and thicker picks and strings. The harmonic itself is produced by the side of your picking thumb "stopping" the string immediately after the pick has struck it, so a pick that allows you to tuck it away a bit helps. And yeah, gain seems to be the number one factor!

There is no voodoo here. Pinches are simple. A pinch is just a mute effect. On the up stroke you can pinch with the tip of the index finer. On the down stroke you use the thumb. In both cases you bring the flesh into contact with the string as you pluck with the pick. This chokes off the low harmonics producing the pinch effect. It is the opposite of the palm mute, which chokes off the high harmonics. There is nothing mysterious about muting effects.

_________________
James Burton Upgrade Telecaster
Hot Rodded Am Fat Strat Texas Special (now featuring Kinman Traditional II pickups)
Fender Blues Jr.
SWR California Blonde
Pedals Pedals Pedals

Hmmmnn.... that's different. If you ever get the chance, play a guitar with 12's and tell me if you notice a difference... That is if you remember .

I noticed I used to get optimal harmonics from 12's more than anything else. I can't really say anything about anything higher than standard 12's but I'm just assuming the 13's would cut it too. I've only had experience with flatwound 13's in C tuning so it is tough to compare. However, comparing regular 10's with flatwound 10's- it is much easier to pinch the regular 10's.

My Squier Strat goes back and forth between 11s and 12s depending on the tuning and the current condition of my fingers. I've actually had better luck with the harmonics when I have the 11s on there, and my Les Paul with 10s also works well.

It could be that one of the factors here is that I've never been very good with harmonics. Despite my username.

_________________
Website: http://www.rebeccalaird.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccalairdmusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/beckslaird
Instagram: http://instagram.com/beckslaird

Are they easier to get from single coils or hb's?

Pickups don't necessarily make it easier or harder, they just make them clearer. The Humbuckers get that metal pinch harmonic sound because of the higher output. As for single coils, you don't usually get that particular tone of an ideal harmonic. The simple solution to that is to crank up everything and add a heavy distortion pedal.

So it really doesn't matter in the end. After you get the technique down it is just about adjusting pedals and levels to get the desired sound.

I've found that my higher output HotRails gets better harmonics in either clean or distortion than my standard strat pickups. I've found that the higher output pickup transfers the sound of the harmonic more easily.....if that makes any sense.

_________________
2005 Fender American Stratocaster W/Seymour Duncan Hot Rails in bridge and Seymour Duncan SSL-5 in neck.
1995 Fender American Standard Stratocaster
Line 6 Spider II 150 watt head W/Ampeg 4x12 Cab
Laney Pro-Linebacker PL65R

Unplugged is the best way to practice them. Get em sounding without any amplification and they will jump out of the guitar and throttle your vocalist.
As for humbuckers/singlecoils, all it comes down to are what do you like the sound of best.

A lesson from the master. About 5 minutes in he does pinch harmonics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34wNfmpYrb8&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eguitar%2Dreview%2Einfo%2Fbilly%2Dgibbons%2Dguitar%2Dlesson%2Dplaying%2Dthe%2Dblues%2F&feature=player_embedded

_________________
No no and no

All the above is great advise. The one thing I'll add is too keep in mind that pinch harmonics are a seasoning to the flavor of playing. A little goes a long way.

Zakk drives me nuts with his live playing. A darn pinch harmonic every other second. Wooohhh dung dung Wooohhhhh dung dung Wooohhhhh.

_________________

Is that supposed to be No More Tears?

Yea the guy really knows how to over do it. If you ever heard the Ozzy son "Breakin' All The Rules" you'd swear that he just learned how to do the harmonic and built a solo for it. It's just another solo that really shouldn't of made it on an album.

Yeah...I've always hated Zakk Wylde's over use of pinch harmonics. He's a great guitar player, but it just get's annoying as hell. I like the way both guitarists in Lamb of God use pinch harmonics in their rythm playing, and Dimebag was always good at great placement of pinch harmonics (Cemetary Gates anyone?).

_________________
2005 Fender American Stratocaster W/Seymour Duncan Hot Rails in bridge and Seymour Duncan SSL-5 in neck.
1995 Fender American Standard Stratocaster
Line 6 Spider II 150 watt head W/Ampeg 4x12 Cab
Laney Pro-Linebacker PL65R