Navigating through the different types of guitar pickups can feel overwhelming. With a myriad of options to choose from, each type produces different tones and functionalities. This blog post aims to simplify this complex field by exploring various types of pickups including those for electric guitars, acoustic guitars, and bass guitars.

Dive in! You’re one read away from understanding your perfect pickup match.

Types of Electric Guitar Pickups

Electric guitar pickups come in various configurations, including single coil pickups, humbucker pickups, P90 pickups, mini humbuckers, and active pickups.

Single Coil Pickups

Single coil pickups are popular among a wide range of musicians because they offer clear and bright tones. They contain a single wire coil, which generates a magnetic field to capture strings’ vibrations and converts them into an electrical signal that your amplifier then turns into sound.

You’ll find these types of pickups often used in guitars like Fenders – Stratocasters or Telecasters for example. However, one downside is that they can pick up electromagnetic interference from other electronic devices, known as the ’60 cycle hum.’ Despite this minor drawback, many guitarists still prefer them for their distinct tone quality.

Humbucker Pickups

Humbucker pickups, also known as dual coil or double coil pickups, are a popular choice among electric guitarists. They were first introduced by Seymour Duncan and have since become a staple in the world of rock and heavy metal music.

The main advantage of humbuckers is their ability to reduce unwanted noise and hum that can often be picked up by single coil pickups. This is achieved through the use of two coils wired together in opposite polarity, which cancels out the hum while still producing a strong signal.

Humbuckers offer a thicker, warmer tone compared to single coils, making them ideal for genres that require more power and sustain.

In terms of pickup configurations, there are various types of humbuckers available on the market. Some notable examples include stacked pickups (which fit into standard single coil slots), mini-humbucker pickups (smaller versions with a brighter sound), and dual-coil humbuckers (which provide even more output and clarity).

P90 Pickups

P90 pickups, also known as soapbar pickups due to their distinctive shape, are a popular choice for electric guitar players. These single-coil pickups offer a unique blend of warmth and grittiness that is favored by many musicians.

P90s produce a fat and thick tone with enhanced midrange response, making them ideal for genres such as blues, rock, and punk. They have more output compared to traditional single-coil pickups but aren’t as powerful as humbuckers.

With their rich harmonic content and versatile sound, P90 pickups are an excellent option for players looking to add some vintage flair to their tone.

Mini Humbuckers

Mini Humbuckers are a type of guitar pickup that combines the characteristics of both single coil and humbucker pickups. They have a smaller size compared to regular humbuckers, making them ideal for guitars with limited space in the body.

Mini Humbuckers produce a clear and bright tone similar to single coils, but with added warmth and depth due to their dual-coil design. They also offer reduced noise and interference, thanks to their hum-canceling capabilities.

Guitarists who prefer the versatility of both single coils and humbuckers often opt for mini humbuckers as they provide a balanced sound suitable for various music genres.

Active Pickups

Active pickups are a popular choice for many guitarists. These pickups have built-in preamps that provide a stronger signal, resulting in increased output and more sustain. Compared to passive pickups, active pickups have a higher level of gain, making them ideal for genres like metal and hard rock.

They also offer a wider frequency response and produce less noise and interference. Active pickups typically require a battery to power the preamp circuitry, but this extra energy is well worth it for those seeking powerful, high-gain tones.

Types of Acoustic Guitar Pickups

Acoustic guitars can have different types of pickups, such as piezo/transducer pickups, magnetic pickups, and in-body/internal microphones.

Piezo/Transducer Pickups

Piezo/Transducer pickups are commonly used in acoustic guitars to amplify the natural sound of the instrument. These pickups work by converting the vibrations of the guitar’s strings into electrical signals, which can then be amplified through an amplifier or PA system.

Piezo pickups are typically placed under the saddle or bridge of an acoustic guitar and provide a bright and clear tone with excellent string-to-string balance. They are known for their ability to capture every nuance and detail of an acoustic guitar’s sound, making them ideal for live performances and recording sessions.

Additionally, piezo pickups can also be found in some electric guitars, providing players with a versatile range of tones to choose from.

Magnetic Pickups

Magnetic pickups are another type of acoustic guitar pickup. Instead of using vibrations or pressure changes, like piezo pickups, magnetic pickups rely on magnets to capture the sound.

These pickups have a coil of wire wrapped around a permanent magnet, which creates an electrical current when the strings vibrate. The current is then sent to an amplifier where it is converted into the sound you hear.

Magnetic pickups tend to produce a warm and rich tone, making them popular among guitarists in various genres such as blues, rock, and jazz.

In-Body/Internal Microphones

In-body or internal microphones are a type of pickup commonly used in acoustic guitars. These microphones are built directly into the body of the guitar, typically near the soundhole or inside the body itself.

They capture the natural resonance and vibrations of the instrument, providing a warm and authentic tone. In-body microphones are popular among acoustic guitarists who prefer a more natural sound without any external attachments or modifications to their instrument.

They can be used alone or in combination with other types of pickups for a versatile sound range.

Types of Bass Guitar Pickups

There are several types of bass guitar pickups, including P-style pickups, J-style pickups, noise-canceling single coils, humbuckers/dual coils, soapbar pickups, active pickups, bass piezo pickups, and bass optical pickups.

P-style Pickups

P-style pickups, also known as Precision style pickups, are commonly found on bass guitars. They offer a punchy and powerful sound with plenty of low-end definition. These pickups have a single-coil design and are known for their signature thump and clarity.

P-style pickups provide a balanced tone with strong midrange presence, making them suitable for various genres like rock, funk, and country. With their focused sound and excellent sustain, P-style pickups are favored by many professional bass players worldwide.

J-style Pickups

J-style pickups, also known as Jazz style pickups, are commonly used in bass guitars. They offer a bright and clear tone with a tight low end. J-style pickups have two separate coils that are positioned next to each other, resembling the letter “J.” The bridge pickup provides a punchy and aggressive sound, while the neck pickup delivers warm and smooth tones.

These pickups are versatile and can be used in various music genres such as jazz, funk, rock, and blues. With their distinct tonal characteristics, J-style pickups are favored by many bass players for their ability to cut through the mix and provide a well-rounded sound.

Noise-canceling single coils

Noise-canceling single coils are a type of pickup commonly used in bass guitars. These pickups are designed to reduce unwanted noise and hum that can occur when playing at high volumes or near electrical sources.

Unlike traditional single coil pickups, which are known for their bright and twangy sound, noise-canceling single coils have a more balanced tone with reduced hum. They achieve this by using stacked coils or other techniques to cancel out the interference caused by external magnetic fields.

This makes them a popular choice for players who want the clarity of a single coil pickup without sacrificing tone quality due to unwanted noise.

Humbuckers/Dual Coils

Humbuckers, also known as dual coils, are a popular type of pickup used in electric guitars. Unlike single coil pickups, which can produce a brighter and twangier sound, humbuckers are designed to reduce unwanted noise or “hum” that can be picked up from electrical interference.

This is achieved by using two coils wound in opposite directions and connected out of phase with each other. The result is a warmer and thicker tone with enhanced sustain and reduced noise.

Humbuckers are often associated with genres like rock, metal, and blues due to their rich and powerful sound.

One key characteristic of humbuckers is their ability to provide high output levels without sacrificing clarity. This makes them ideal for players who want to achieve heavy distortion or overdrive while maintaining note definition.

Humbucker pickups come in various configurations, such as the classic Gibson-style PAF (Patent Applied For) design or the hotter and more aggressive modern high-output models. They also offer versatility through different pickup switching options, allowing players to blend the sounds of both humbucker coils or combine them with single coil pickups for even more tonal possibilities.

Soapbar Pickups

Soapbar pickups are a popular choice for bass guitars, known for their distinctive shape resembling a bar of soap. These pickups have wider pole pieces compared to other types, resulting in a warm and rich tone with plenty of midrange.

Soapbar pickups typically provide a thick and punchy sound that is well-suited for genres like rock, blues, and funk. They can be found on various bass guitar models from different manufacturers, offering players the option to achieve different tonal characteristics based on their personal preferences.

Active Pickups

Active pickups are a popular choice among guitarists looking for a powerful and versatile tone. Unlike passive pickups, which rely solely on the vibrations of the strings to generate an electrical signal, active pickups use a built-in preamp to boost and shape the sound.

This results in a higher output level, increased sustain, and greater control over the tone through onboard EQ options. Active pickups are known for their ability to drive gain-heavy sounds without losing clarity, making them a go-to option for genres like metal and hard rock.

Many renowned companies such as EMG and Seymour Duncan offer a wide range of active pickup configurations to suit different musical styles and playing preferences.

Bass Piezo Pickups

Bass piezo pickups are a type of pickup commonly used in bass guitars. These pickups work by converting the vibrations of the strings into an electrical signal, which can then be amplified and heard through an amplifier or PA system.

Unlike magnetic pickups, which rely on magnets to detect string vibrations, piezo pickups use small piezoelectric crystals or films that generate an electrical charge when pressure is applied to them.

This allows for a clear and accurate representation of the bass guitar’s sound, capturing both the low frequencies and nuances of playing technique. Bass piezo pickups are often preferred by bass players who want a more natural and acoustic-like tone from their instrument.

Bass Optical Pickups

Bass optical pickups are a unique type of pickup that uses light instead of magnets to capture the vibrations of the strings. These pickups work by shining a beam of light onto the strings, and when the strings vibrate, they interrupt the beam, which is then converted into an electrical signal.

This technology allows for a more accurate and detailed representation of the bass guitar’s sound. Bass optical pickups offer a clean and clear tone with excellent sustain, making them ideal for genres such as jazz or fusion where clarity and definition are paramount.

They also eliminate any electromagnetic interference since they don’t rely on magnets, resulting in less noise and hum. With their innovative design, bass optical pickups provide bassists with a unique sonic palette to explore and experiment with.

Conclusion

There are several different types of pickups for electric, acoustic, and bass guitars. Electric guitar pickups include single coil, humbucker, P90, mini humbuckers, and active pickups.

Acoustic guitar pickups can be piezo/transducer pickups, magnetic pickups, or in-body/internal microphones. Bass guitar pickups come in various styles like P-style and J-style pickups, noise-canceling single coils, humbuckers/dual coils, soapbar pickups, active pickups as well as bass piezo and optical pickups.

Understanding the different types of guitar and bass guitar pickup configurations is essential when it comes to achieving the desired tone for your instrument.

FAQs

1. What are the different types of pickups?

The different types of pickups include single-coil, humbucker, P-90, and active pickups.

2. What is a single-coil pickup?

A single-coil pickup is a type of guitar pickup that produces a bright and clear tone with pronounced treble frequencies.

3. What is a humbucker pickup?

A humbucker pickup is designed to cancel out the humming or interference caused by electrical sources, resulting in a warmer and thicker sound compared to single-coils.

4. What is an active pickup?

An active pickup uses built-in electronics to enhance the signal output and provide higher gain, making it suitable for genres like heavy metal or hard rock.