Guitar Pickups: What it is, types, pickup configurations and more

Shaping the sound of electric guitars is done with the help of guitar pickups, converting the vibrations of the strings into electrical signals that can be amplified and heard. These electromagnetic marvels have enabled guitarists to achieve a wide range of tones and styles. In this article, we’ll understand the basic functioning of different types of guitar pickups and their impact on the overall sound of an electric guitar.

What are Guitar Pickups?

Small coils of wire wrapped around magnets are termed guitar pickups, usually placed under the strings of an electric guitar. Fluctuating magnetic fields while the vibration of a guitar string induces a small electrical current in the coil which is sent to the amplifier for the production of the sound we hear.

Types of Guitar Pickups

1. Single-Coil Pickups: these are one of the earliest and most straightforward types of guitar pickups consisting of one coil of wire which typically produce a bright and clear sound.
2. Humbucker Pickups: these pickups were developed to address the hum and noise issues of single-coil pickups and consist of two coils wired in a way that cancels out the hum, resulting in a quieter and thicker sound.
3. P90 Pickups: hybrid pickups merge the sound of single coils and humbuckers. They offer more raw and gritty output with more midrange and are popular among blues and rock players looking for balance.

Pickup Configurations

1. Stratocaster: Stratocaster guitars possess three single-coil pickups and offer a versatile range of tones. The five-way pickup selector switch allows players to access different combinations of pickups.
2. Les Paul: Les Paul guitars possess two humbucker pickups, producing warm, thick, and sustain-rich sound. They also have individual volume controls and tone controls for each pickup.
3. Telecaster: Telecaster guitars possess two single-coil pickups offering twangy and bright sound. The three-way pickup selector switch allows players to use either pickup.

Conclusion

Guitar pickups are a foundational element of electric guitars, playing an essential role in determining their tonal features. Whether it’s the vintage twang of single coils, the rich warmth of humbuckers, or the versatile tones of P90s, each pickup type contributes to the vast sonic landscape of electric guitar music.

Additional sources 

• Guitar Pickups 101 – Here’s Everything You Need To know! –Guitar Pickups 101 – Here’s Eveything You Need To know!
• Making Yamaha F280 Semi Acoustic | Best Pickup For Yamaha F280 – Making Yamaha F280 Semi Acoustic | Best Pickup For Yamaha F280 | Double X0 Review
• Double X0 vs Fishman Sonitone pickup – Double X0 vs Fishman Sonitone pickup | Sound Check | Piezo vs Magnetic Pickup