Electric guitar pickups
Electric guitar pickups generate an electromagnetic field which is modified by the vibrations of the guitar's partly steel strings. The magnetic field is then transformed into an electric current sent to an amplifier.
In order to create this magnetic field, the microphones are composed of one or more magnets and one or more windings of copper wire. There are many configurations and many types of mics.
The different electric guitar microphones
In chronological order, the main microphones are:
- Charlie Christian pickups, named after a pioneering electric jazz guitarist
- Gibson's P90 pickups, consisting of a coil and two magnet bars
- Stratocaster type single coil pickups created by Léo Fender. They are made up of 6 cylindrical magnets around which a copper wire is wound.
- Double coil pickups, called Humbucker because their construction allows them to eliminate background noise, “hum” in English.
There are a very large number of variations made from these microphones. The single coil pickups of the Jaguar, for example, are very similar in their construction to those of the Stratocaster but notably with a metal base which surrounds the base of the microphone. The Jazzmaster's pickups are modeled on other Fender single coils but in a format reminiscent of Gibson's P90 while being wider and flatter than the latter. Last example, the Gretsch Filtertron is a humbucker but with specific characteristics and a different look from Gibson Humbuckers
Most electric guitar pickups generate the magnetic field passively, that is, without an external power supply. Since the end of the 70s, there have also been active microphones, most often powered by a 9v battery. These microphones are most often used by Metal guitarists and bassists. They allow a higher output level and variations of voicing by an electronic system directly incorporated into the microphones.
The composition of electric guitar pickups
The passive microphones, which you will find on this site, are mostly composed of magnets called “AlNiCo” which designates the alloy of Aluminum, Nickel and Cobalt of which they are made.
There are different gradations of Alnico from 1 to 9. For the manufacture of microphones you will find Alnico magnets 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9. They all give a different output level and a sound character specific to the microphones that they equip. The microphones equipped with Alnico 2, 3 and 4 magnets have a very pronounced vintage coloring and a moderate output level. The Alnico 3, which has the lowest output level and more pronounced midrange, is very suitable for equipping a Jazz guitar. It is also used for high-end models, notably the Les Paul and Gibson ES-335.
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Phobos – Technical metal humbucker
Electric Guitar Pickups , Humbucker Pickups , ModernPhobos is a humbucker set designed for different modern metals, technical, progressive or precision, the detachment of notes is extremely important, even with low tunings.135,00€ -
Poltergeist – Trash metal humbucker
Electric Guitar Pickups , Humbucker Pickups , ModernWelcome to the heart of 80s Trash. This set is made to cut to the chase! Fast, precise, sharp rhythms, Poltergeist is there for that.135,00€ -
1984 – Classic metal 80's humbucker
Electric Guitar Pickups , Humbucker Pickups , ModernImagine a Super Distortion, wound by hand, in which you have replaced the ceramic magnet with one, Alnico 2, from an old PAF. And that’s what I’m offering you here. The result is a powerful, woody and meaty microphone ready to make your head roar 5150 :-)135,00€ -
Blade Runner – Cream Gold – Hi gain humbucker – Demo
B-Stock / Demo / Blemish , In stock , Electric guitar pickupsAlmost new Blade Runner set, used on one of my guitars (Epiphone Les Paul). A few micro traces of use on the covers but nothing obvious. Take advantage of 20% off the new price for this in-stock set.289,00€ -
Eraserhead 7 strings – hi gain humbucker – matte black – new
In stock , Electric guitar pickups , Private StockNew 7-string Eraserhead set, matte black cover without holes. On a flat baseplate for direct attachment to the body of the guitar without microphone surround. Possibility of mounting them on microphone contour, ask me when ordering.289,00€ -
Future Rage
Electric Guitar Pickups , Humbucker Pickups , ModernA modern and versatile humbucker for guitarists looking for precision, articulation and definition for today's music styles.135,00€ -
Future Rage – Trans coils – matte black open cover – black screws and insert
B-Stock / Demo / Blemish , In stock , Electric guitar pickupsDiscover a contemporary, versatile humbucker designed for demanding guitarists looking for precision, articulation and definition to adapt perfectly to current musical styles.275,00€ -
Eraserhead – high gain metal humbucker pickup
Electric Guitar Pickups , Humbucker Pickups , ModernThe Eraserhead is made for those who want a modern, very violent, and very dense sound. If you want a sound with a lot of body, presence in the low end, while maintaining precision, this microphone is for you.135,00€ -
7-String Custom Bucker
7-String Humbucker , Electric Guitar Pickups , Humbucker PickupsExclusively find this famous PAF Alnico 3 in 7-string format. If you want a sound for your 7-string, from the purest Jazz to the most rootsy classic rock, this set will be perfect.145,00€ -
Future Rage 7-string humbucker
7-String Humbucker , Electric Guitar Pickups , Humbucker PickupsA contemporary humbucker pickup, designed for guitarists looking for finesse, expression and sound clarity adapted to current musical genres.145,00€ -
7-String Humbucker Pickup – Set Up Your Pickup
7-String Humbucker , Humbucker PickupsFind our entire range of humbucker pickups for your favorite 7-string guitar.145,00€