To better understand single coil pickups, let’s first take a quick refresher on exactly what a guitar pickup is. Essentially, a pickup is a transducer that captures, or ‘picks up’, the vibration of guitar strings and converts them into an electrical signal. This signal is then amplified and translated into sound through your amplifier. Pickups are typically mounted on the guitar’s body in the neck or bridge position.

What Is a Single Coil Pickup?

Single coil pickups, along with the ubiquitous humbucker, are one of the most common types of guitar pickups. They consist of a single coil of wire wrapped around a magnet. This simple design produces a bright and clear sound, making them a popular choice for genres such as blues, rock, and country.

Single coil pickups have been used by a host of legendary guitarists, such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. They are also the signature sound of the iconic Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster guitars.

How Do Single Coil Pickups Sound?

Producing a crisp, articulate tone with good note definition, single coil pickups nicely cut through a mix. However, they are also known for their tendency to pick up external interference, resulting in a ‘hum’ or ‘buzz’ sound. This is because the single coil design is more susceptible to electromagnetic interference than other pickups.

While this may not be desirable for those searching for pristine, clean tones, it’s perfect for those looking for a more edgy sound, such as guitarists who trade in garage rock, punk, or blues.

How Do Single Coil Pickups Work?

Single coils are known for their ability to capture the nuances and dynamics of playing, making them a favourite among many guitarists. As with other pickups, they work by using the magnetic field created by their magnets to detect the vibrations of the guitar strings, converting them into electrical signals.

The position of the pickup on the guitar also plays a role in its sound. Pickups closer to the neck will produce a warmer and fuller sound, while those closer to the bridge will have a brighter and twangier tone. This is why some guitars, such as the Fender Stratocaster, have multiple single coil pickups in different positions to offer a range of sounds.

Anatomy of Single Coil Pickups

One of the earliest and simplest designs in pickup technology, single coils consist of a single magnet wrapped in a coil of wire. As the name suggests, they have just one coil of wire around the magnet. This simplicity gives them their characteristic sound and makes them relatively easy to manufacture.

As discussed, single coils can be susceptible to humming caused by external interference, contributing to the pickup’s raw and unadulterated tone. Some manufacturers use shielding materials around the pickup to mitigate the issue. However, this can affect the pickup’s sound and dynamics.

The Versatility of Single Coil Pickups

They may be most commonly associated with genres such as blues, rock and country, but single coil pickups offer a certain degree of versatility in their sound. By adjusting settings on your amplifier or using pedals, you can achieve a wide range of tones with these pickups. These workhorse pickups easily adapted to different playing styles and genres, from bright and twangy to warm and mellow.

The British Sound

The use of single coil pickups is often associated with the ‘British sound’, with guitarists like Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page popularising the use of single coils through their genre-defining music. The distinctive tone produced by these pickups has since become synonymous with the British invasion of the 1960s and continues to be a sought-after sound by guitarists around the world.

Pros and Cons of Single Coil Pickups

The charm and allure of single coil pickups extend beyond their crisp sound. Still, like every masterpiece, they possess nuances that are essential to some and undesirable to others.

Pros

  • Crisp, bright sound
  • Excellent presence
  • Great clarity

Cons

  • Prone to hums and feedback
  • ‘Thin’ sound
  • Less sustain

Single Coil Pickups vs Other Pickups

Choosing your pickups is a potential minefield, with hundreds of makes and models out there. But before you start searching for your perfect single coil pickup guitar, it’s essential to make sure that these are indeed the pickups for you!

In this section, we’ll compare the single coils with two more popular pickup options. From robust humbuckers to the versatile P90s, each brings its own character to the table.

Single Coil vs Humbucker

Tonal characteristics aside, the main difference between single coil pickups and humbucker pickups is the number of coils. While single coils have just one coil of wire, humbuckers have two coils. This additional coil in a humbucker cancels out the 60-cycle hum, resulting in a quieter sound. However, this also changes the tonal characteristics, making humbuckers sound warmer, fuller, and less bright than single coils.

Single Coil vs P90

P90 pickups are another type of single coil pickup, but they have larger and wider coils. This gives them a more robust and mid-focused tone than standard single coil pickups. They also produce less of the 60-cycle hum, making them a popular choice for players who want the clarity and punch of a single coil with less interference.

Choosing and Installing Single Coil Pickups

When choosing single coil pickups for your guitar, consider your musical style, budget, and the tonal characteristics you desire. Installation can be done at home with some basic tools, but if you’re not totally comfortable doing it yourself, consult a professional who can easily handle the job.

Keep in mind that different pickups may require slightly different installation methods, so always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once installed, adjust the pickup height and test out your new tonal possibilities!

Adjusting Single Coil Pickups

With single coil pickups, a little adjustment can go a long way in crafting your desired tone. The distance between the pickup and the strings affects the output volume and tonal characteristics - generally, the closer the pickup is to the strings, the louder and brighter the sound. Experiment with different heights to find your desired tone. Additionally, adjusting the individual pole pieces on the pickup can also fine-tune the sound by balancing the output of each string.

Find Your Perfect Single Coil Guitar

Single coil pickups are a classic and versatile option for guitar players, offering a bright and dynamic sound that can be tailored to your preferences. They may have their limitations, but they offer a unique and beloved tone that has stood the test of time.

Now that you know everything you need to know about single coil pickups, isn’t it time to start searching for the perfect single coil-fitted guitar? With our Finder tool, we’ll guide you through a maze of choices, fine-tuning your preferences until you’re paired with a guitar that feels like it was made just for you.

Whether you’re chasing bright and crisp tones or an edgy sound with clarity that cuts through the mix, your perfect match is just a click away.