Buying an Electric Guitar -- Pickups

Single-Coil Pickup

Single coils produce a bright, glassy, and cutting sound most often found in Stratocaster- and Telecaster-style guitars. Many of today's single-coils are hum-free and have extra coil windings for increased power. If you are looking for the Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix tone, the single-coil pickup is for you.

Humbucker Pickup

Humbuckers are two single-coil pickups wired together to create a higher output and cancel out the hum from other electric sources like fluorescent lights. Most often found in Les Paul-style guitars, they offer the creamy sustain and fat, beefy sound that inspired the wailing rock and metal solos of Jimmy Page, Slash, and Ace Frehley. They're also great for warm jazz.