New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Are you new to the world of guitars? If so, you may be wondering what a guitar pickup is.
A guitar pickup is a transducer that captures or "picks up" the vibrations of the strings and converts them into an electrical signal that can be amplified. Guitar pickups come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and types, each with their own unique sound. P90 pickups, for example, are a very popular choice.
But now that you know what a guitar pickup is, how do you choose the right one for your instrument? There are many factors to consider when selecting a guitar pickup, such as its size, shape, type, and output.
While the best way to figure out which pickup is right for your guitar is to experiment with different types and see which ones produce the sound you're looking for, in this article, we'll discuss everything you need to know about guitar pickups — from their history and how they work to the different types available and how to choose the right one for your guitar.
The History of the Guitar Pickup
Electric guitars were first introduced in the 1930s, but it wasn't until the 1950s that guitar pickups became widely used.
The first electric guitars were fitted with telephone-type microphones, which picked up the sound of the strings but also picked up a lot of background noise. In order to reduce this noise, guitarists began using magnets to create a ‘pickup’ that would only capture the vibrations of the strings.
The first commercially successful guitar pickup was created by George Beauchamp in 1931. Beauchamp's pickup was a single-coil design that used a magnet wrapped in copper wire. This design is still used today and is known for its characteristic twangy sound.
In the 1950s, Gibson introduced the first humbucker pickup, which used two coils instead of one to cancel out the background noise. This made it possible for electric guitars to be played at higher volumes without the interference of unwanted noise.
Types of Guitar Pickups
There are a few different types of guitar pickups available on the market today: single-coil, humbucker, and piezo. Let's take a closer look at each type of pickup and how they differ from one another:
Single-coil pickups are the most common type of guitar pickup and are used on both electric and acoustic guitars. They are typically found on Stratocasters and Telecasters, as well as on many acoustic guitars.
Single-coil pickups are known for their crisp, clean sound and are often used in country and pop music.
Humbucker pickups were originally designed to cancel out the unwanted noise that was picked up by single-coil pickups. They are made with two coils instead of one, which creates a ‘hum-cancelling’ effect.
Humbucker pickups are typically found on Gibson-style guitars, such as Les Pauls, and are known for their warmer, smoother sound. They are often used in blues and rock music.
Piezo pickups are a type of electric guitar pickup that uses piezoelectric crystals to convert the vibrations of the strings into an electrical signal.
They are often used on acoustic guitars and are known for their ability to produce a very natural, acoustic sound.
How to Choose the Right Guitar Pickup
Now that you know more about the different types of guitar pickups available, how do you choose the right one for your instrument?
There are many factors to consider when making your decision, such as the type of music you play, the tone you're looking for, and the budget you have to work with.
If you're not sure where to start, we recommend checking out some online reviews or asking fellow guitarists for their recommendations. With so many great options available on the market today, you're sure to find the perfect pickup for your guitar!
