“The Definitive Guide to Guitar Pickups: How to Choose the Best for Your Instrument’s Sound.”
The sound of your guitar is surely one of the most personal aspects of your playing. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, the way you hear yourself and your instrument’s sound is a crucial element of any performance. While much of the tone of your guitar is shaped by the wood construction, the strings, bridge, pickups, and other hardware, it’s the pickups that have the greatest impact on the overall sound quality.
Guitar pickups are the electronic components that capture the sound of your strings and turn them into an electrical signal that amplifies your instrument. A pickup is usually composed of either single-coil or double-coil pickups, each of which brings a distinct character to the instrument’s sound. In this guide, we explore the different kinds of pickups and the benefits each type can bring to your music-making.
Single-Coil Pickups:
Single-coil pickups are some of the most common pickups used on electric guitars. As their name implies, they feature one coil. They are also often referred to as “humbuckers”, as they don’t cancel out the hum created by the string vibration.
The sound of a single coil pickup is often described as having a bright, focused tone. This makes them the perfect choice for genres like rock, country and blues, as the sound can cut through the mix. Single-coil pickups are also well-suited for players who take a clean, nuanced approach to their playing.
One of the drawbacks of single-coil pickups is that they can be prone to feedback at high volumes. While this isn’t an issue for most guitarists, it’s something to bear in mind if you’re playing gigs on larger stages, or in the studio with a loud amp.
Double-Coil Pickups:
Double-coil pickups, sometimes referred to as “humbuckers”, are usually composed of two single-coil pickups, arranged in contra-polarity. This means that the magnets and coils are oriented in opposite directions, which allows them to cancel out any undesired hum.
The main advantage of double-coil pickups is that they give your sound a fuller and more balanced character. This makes them ideal for jazz, blues and rock, as they provide plenty of clarity, but also have a notable amount of warm and round low-end. They are also much less prone to feedback at high volumes, making them the perfect choice for heavier rock and metal styles.
One thing to bear in mind is that double-coil pickups can sound muddy if they’re not set up properly. As with all pickups, it’s important to experiment with the relative positioning of them, as you may find that one sounds better than the other for certain tones.
Active Pickups:
Active pickups refer to pickups that use an onboard preamp or battery to power the coil. This allows the player to boost their signal and increase the sustain of their sound. The preamp also takes care of any unwanted noise and hum, so they are ideal for noisy environments.
The main advantage of active pickups is that they provide plenty of clarity and a boosted signal, which makes them the ideal choice for metal and hard rock styles. Many players who want to achieve crunchy and aggressive tones rely on active pickups to deliver the goods.
One thing to bear in mind is that active pickups require a battery to operate, which can be inconvenient and can drain the battery if it’s not used regularly. Additionally, active pickups tend to be more expensive than passive pickups, so if you’re on a tight budget, you may want to stick with the passive option.
Piezo Pickups:
Piezo pickups are mainly used on acoustic guitars, although they can also be installed on electric guitars. They are often flat and disk-shaped, and are usually mounted beneath the bridge.
The main advantage of a Piezo pickup is that they provide a much more dynamic and brighter sound than a typical magnetic pickup. They also have a relatively low output, which is perfect for players who prefer a more subtle and nuanced tone.
One thing to bear in mind is that Piezo generally require a preamp to work, as they’re not as sensitive as a standard magnetic pickup. Additionally, they tend to be quite expensive, so they may not be a suitable option for players who are on a tight budget.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve explored the different types of guitar pickups available, you should have a better idea of which type is the best for you. The type of pickup you choose will depend on the type of music you want to play, as well as your budget. With so many options available, it’s well worth taking the time to do your research and find the best fit for your instrument.