Electric Guitar Pickups By: Curt Bouchard Thursday June 11, 2009 ENG 3060 Professor Jared Grogan

What is it? A guitar pickup is a copper wire wrapped around a magnet. They are used to “pick up” the sound created by the strings and sends it to the amplifier. Most guitars are equipped with two or more. There are two types, single-coil and humbucker.

What does it look like? The wires are wound around the bobbins. The amount of turns of the wire will determine the type of sound. More wraps will produce a higher output and more midrange sound. Fewer will produce a more open sound with greater clarity, yet less output.

What does it do? A magnetic pickup is a closed electrical loop. When power is applied to the guitar, an electrical current flows through the pickup. The current creates a magnetic field which produces magnetic flux.

Why does it work? The vibration of the string will “vibrate” the field and cause motion of the flux lines. This generates an electrical signal. The signal generated is the sound created by the frequency of the string.

Magnetic Flux The vibration of the string passes through the flux lines created by the magnet. The electrical signal generated is the sound that is being produced by the frequency of the string. This travels through the cord connected to the amplifier, which amplifies the sound.

Types of Pickups Single-Coil Humbucker Only one coil wrapped around a magnet Two coils wrapped around two magnets or a single magnet.

Differences? Single-coil pickups are the most simplistic. They do their job but are subject to 60 cycle hum, the electromagnetic interference from outside sources. Humbuckers are more complex. More wires and, sometimes, more magnets. Eliminate 60 cycle hum and produce a deeper sound.

Conclusion Simple mechanism with complex intricacies. Rock on!

Image Sources The Polyphase Motor/Generator eHow Stewart-MacDonald