Since the first pick-ups started to appear in the 1950s guitarists have been obsessed with the different types of sound their guitars can be made to produce. Terms such as over-wound, high-output and noiseless present a confusing array of terminology to the unwary. The simple fact is that pick-ups comprise a coil of very thin wire wound many times around some magnets. The metal mass of the vibrating string disrupts the magnetic field and generates an electronic signal, which can then be amplified.

The two types of pick-ups usually encountered are single-coil (one coil of wire wound around a magnet) or humbucking (two coils, wired in series, but one with an opposite wind and magnetic polarity which cancels out the inherent 50-cycle hum associated with single-coil pick-ups.) Fender Strats and Teles showcase the typical single-coil pick-up while Gibson tend to favour humbuckers.

There’s nothing to say one design is better than another – they both have their pros and cons. Because single-coil pick-ups sense a shorter string length than humbuckers they have a bright, focused sound. Humbuckers sense over double the length of string and possess a much fatter, less distinct voice. It used to be that you were stuck with whatever pick-ups your guitar was fitted with but due to early experimenters creating a further demand it’s now possible to pursue your own personal holy grail – pretty much any sound you want from any style of guitar.

Since the late 1970s the aftermarket pick-up market has grown beyond belief, with many different companies proffering their wares. From accurate replicas of the original pioneering pick-ups to the latest high output beasties – they’re all there.

The best way to approach the dilemma of being so spoilt for choice is to think of the sound you want and work back from there. Both Seymour Duncan and Dimarzio – arguably the major aftermarket pick-up manufacturers – have excellent web sites, complete with easy to understand descriptions for the characteristics of each pick-up in their range.

Happy hunting.