As musicians, most of us are a little tone crazy. Even though we might be getting a good sound out of our instrument, we just know that it could be better. There are many different elements that contribute to an instrument's tone but the place most people start when they're dissatisfied with their sound are the guitar pickups.
But how do we know which pickups will be right for us? There are dozens of manufacturers making countless different designs. In addition to the enormous number of options available, the sound one can expect from these pickups are described in terms like “bright”, “warm”, and even “round”. Who knew that tone could be described with shapes?
How much does the average musician know about guitar pickups? Do you know what they're made from and how they work? To most, they are a puzzle inside a riddle within an enigma but that doesn't stop us from dropping a hundred £'s on one in the hopes that it will finally find 'that' sound.
Let's start with the basics...
The truth is pickups are incredibly simple devices that have much more in common with each other than differences. Fundamentally, pickups are magnets and wires. That's it. Basically, a length of wire is coiled around a magnet, and when a guitar string vibrates within the magnetic field it causes the coil to generate a voltage. This is the signal that your guitar or bass amp amplifies.
Pretty simple so far, right?
Now we can consider some variables that are involved:
Stronger magnets create a hotter signal, and the type of magnet also affects tone. Original Gibson PAF's are one of the most sought after sounds, and most people attribute their trademark tone to the Alnico magnets that were used. For this reason, Alnico II is often used in “vintage” replacement pickups, as they're thought to produce a vintage sound. Also common is Alnico V, which is slightly stronger, and produces a brighter, “punchier” tone. Ceramic magnets are stronger yet, and are commonly used in more modern, rock-oriented pickups.
Increasing the number of windings in the coils increases the output as well, but it also tends to accentuate the midrange while attenuating the lows and highs. As the number of turns increases, the tone gets muddier. Using a heavier gauge wire produces similar results.
Those are the basic building blocks of pickup construction, but another aspect of their design that greatly affects tone is the number of coils. Fender Stratocaster's and Telecaster's historically sport a single coil design, as described so far, which tend to have a “bright”, “twangy” sound. But one shortcoming of the single coil pickup is it's tendency to pick up the 60 cycle hum produced by most electrical circuits – building wiring, lights, etc.
Introducing the Humbucker:
In 1955 a Gibson employee named Seth Lover invented the Humbucker pickup. The humbucker has 2 coils wound with opposite electrical polarity and reversed magnetic polarity, which has the effect of canceling the hum produced by each individual coil. Due to the larger number of windings, and extra magnets, the effect on the tone is to generally produce a "fatter", more “midrangey” sound.
The Birth of the P-90:
The P-90 is known for its distinctive growl and gritty sound, which sits somewhere between the brightness of a Fender single-coil and the warmth of a humbucker. It features a single coil of wire wrapped around six adjustable pole pieces, and typically uses Alnico magnets, much like the famous PAF humbuckers.
The construction of the P-90 gives it a midrange punch that's perfect for everything from jazz to blues to rock. Its high output and broader frequency response make it incredibly versatile. However, like all single-coil pickups, the P-90 is also susceptible to the 60-cycle hum.
Despite this, the P-90 remains a beloved choice for guitarists seeking a rich, vintage sound with a bit more edge and clarity than a humbucker can provide. Its raw and expressive tone has found a home in many musical genres and continues to be a popular option for those chasing that perfect sound.
Where to start when looking for replacement pickups?
At Armstrong Music, we understand the quest for that perfect tone. That’s why we offer a wide selection of pickups to cater to every musician’s needs. Whether you’re looking for the reliability and affordability of the Korean-made Kent Armstrong pickups, the hand-crafted precision of Kent’s USA-made pickups, or the bespoke quality of Aaron Armstrong’s UK-made creations, we have something for everyone. Trust your ears, and explore the world of tone with confidence knowing we have the perfect pickup to help you find 'that' sound.