What is it that makes an electric guitar "electric?" It's not a particular method of construction, materials or body shape—it's the pickups. In fact, studies have shown that the pickups are the largest factor in the overall sound of your electric guitar. Certainly, tonewoods make a difference, but theirs is a more subtle contribution. In the end, it's a string vibrating in a magnetic field making most of the magic.

Pickups—specifically electromagnetic ones—have been around longer than you probably think. The earliest patent for one was filed in the late 1800s, though nothing was ever done with it. This is likely because the inventor, Adolphe Sax, was too busy with his more successful invention, the saxophone. Over the decades, many pickup designs have come and gone, but the vast majority of pickups today fall into one of three types: individual pole-piece single coil, humbucker and P90-style. These three types form the backbone of electric guitar tones, and we'll be diving into each one in detail.

So, plug in, play along and discover what makes "The Big Three" the defining voices of electric guitar history.

Table of Contents

Comparing the Most Popular Types of Electric Guitar Pickups
Single-Coil Pickups
   Popular Single-Coil Pickups
   The Common Uses of Single-Coil Pickups
   Popular Guitar Models Featuring Single-Coil Pickups
Humbucker Pickups
   Popular Humbucker Pickups
   The Common Uses of Humbuckers
   Popular Guitar Models Featuring Humbuckers
P90 Pickups
   Popular P90/P-90 Pickups
   The Common Uses of P90 Pickups
   Popular Guitar Models Featuring P90 Pickups
Find the Right Electric Guitar Pickups for You

Comparing the Most Popular Types of Electric Guitar Pickups

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of how each of these little marvels shapes your tone, let’s start with a quick side-by-side comparison. This overview highlights what each pickup type brings to the table, along with their key strengths and trade-offs. And hey, what better way to sum it all up than with a handy chart?

Pickup Type	Year of Release	Key Features	Tonal Qualities	Construction Method/Materials	Pros	Cons
Single Coil	1948 (Fender Broadcaster)	Bright, articulate sound, simple design	Clear, detailed, dynamic, bright highs	Individual Alnico rod magnets, coil wrapped around magnets	Articulate tone, expressive dynamics, classic vintage sound	Prone to 60-cycle hum, lower output, sensitive to interference
Humbucker	1957 (Gibson P.A.F.)	Two coils in reverse polarity, hum-canceling	Warm, full, powerful, boosted mids	Dual-coil design, bar magnet with steel poles	Noise-free operation, warm and powerful tone, high output	Reduced clarity, less dynamic response, bulkier design
P90	1946 (Gibson)	Large coil, bar magnet, unique single-coil variant	Warm, raw, punchy, midrange-focused	Single coil with bar magnet and steel pole pieces	Versatile tone, articulate yet warm, vintage grit	Prone to hum, lower output than humbuckers

Single-Coil Pickups

Single-coil pickups with individual magnets as pole pieces—exemplified by Leo Fender’s original design—are the blueprint for clarity and articulation in electric guitar tones. Known for their bright highs, sharp attack, articulation and dynamic response, they excel in genres like blues, country, funk and classic rock, though many modern metal players also swear by them. Whether it’s the clean, bell-like chime of a Stratocaster or the snappy twang of a Telecaster, single coils shine in situations where nuance and expressiveness take center stage. However, their high sensitivity also makes them prone to picking up electrical interference, leading to the infamous "60-cycle hum."

Pictured: Fender Stratocaster Single-Coil Pickups

Popular Single-Coil Pickups

Modern single coils stay true to their vintage roots while offering innovative features to suit today’s players. Take the Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Strat Set, for example, which provides a beefier tone and higher output for players who want a little extra punch without losing clarity. Similarly, the Fender Fat '50s Strat Pickups deliver a warm, vintage-inspired tone, perfect for nailing classic Strat sounds. For Telecaster enthusiasts, the Fender Custom Shop Texas Special Tele Pickups add an extra dose of midrange warmth and twang, making them a favorite for soulful solos and country rhythms alike.

 

Shop Now: Fender Fat '50s Stratocaster Pickup Set

The Common Uses of Single-Coil Pickups

Single coils are a favorite among players who rely on expressive playing dynamics and pristine clean tones. They’re equally adept at handling overdrive, offering a smooth breakup with plenty of harmonic detail. Guitarists in genres like blues, funk and country often gravitate toward single coils for their ability to cut through a mix and respond to subtle changes in attack.

Popular Guitar Models Featuring Single-Coil Pickups

Fender’s legacy as the pioneer of single-coil pickups is evident in their iconic guitar models. The Fender Player II Stratocaster embodies the classic Strat sound with contemporary features like Fender’s Modern C neck profiles, Player series alnico V pickups and latest 2-point tremolo system, making it an excellent choice for players at any skill level. Likewise, the Fender Player II Telecaster delivers that unmistakable Tele twang with similar upgraded features for versatility and reliability.

Shop Now: Fender Player II Stratocaster Electric Guitar in British Racing Green

Humbucker Pickups

Humbuckers are synonymous with warmth, power and a noise-free playing experience. Designed by Gibson engineer Seth Lover in the 1950s, these pickups use two coils wired in opposite polarity to cancel out unwanted hum—hence the name "humbucker." Their rich, full-bodied tone and boosted midrange make them a staple in genres like rock, jazz, metal and even pop. Whether it’s the creamy sustain of a Les Paul or the growl of an ES-335, humbuckers deliver the kind of sonic heft that fills a mix.

Pictured: Gibson Les Paul Humbucker Pickups

Popular Humbucker Pickups

Today’s humbuckers build on their original design with modern innovations that cater to diverse tonal preferences. The Seymour Duncan Hot Rodded SH-4/SH-2 Humbucker Pickup Set offers a versatile combination of aggressive lead tones and smooth, articulate cleans—perfect for players who want a dynamic range in one setup. For vintage purists, the Seymour Duncan SH-55 Seth Lover Humbucker Pickup Set recreates the warm, mellow tones of the original 1957 Gibson P.A.F. (Patent Applied For) humbuckers. On the other hand, the Fender Custom Michael Landau CuNiFe Wide Range Humbucker Pickup delivers a unique blend of clarity and power, thanks to the use of CuNiFe (Copper/Nickel/Iron magnet pole pieces), making it ideal for players who want to cut through a dense mix while retaining warmth.

Shop Now: Seymour Duncan SH-55 Seth Lover Humbucker Pickup Set

The Common Uses of Humbuckers

Humbuckers excel in situations where a thick, rich tone is needed. Their higher output and reduced noise make them perfect for high-gain applications, whether it’s chunky power chords in rock or searing leads in metal. At the same time, jazz players value humbuckers for their smooth, rounded tones and minimal feedback in quieter settings. Their versatility means you can find them in everything from hard rock to fusion.

Popular Guitar Models Featuring Humbuckers

Gibson’s flagship guitars are perhaps the best-known champions of humbuckers. The Gibson Les Paul Standard ’60s pairs its iconic solid-body design with dual Burstbucker ’61 humbuckers for a powerful, singing tone that works across genres. Meanwhile, the Gibson ES-335 Semi-Hollow electric guitar combines the warmth of calibrated “T-Top” humbuckers with the resonance of a semi-hollowbody, offering a uniquely expressive voice for blues, jazz and rock players alike.

Shop Now: Gibson ES-335 Electric Guitar in Sixties Cherry

P90 Pickups

Whether soapbar or dog-ear, P90s are beloved for their gritty, raw tone and incredible versatility. Introduced by Gibson in 1946, the P90 bridges the gap between single-coil sparkle and humbucker warmth. Its bold midrange presence and touch-sensitive dynamics make it a favorite for players seeking vintage-inspired tones with a little attitude. From the overdriven growl of punk and garage rock to the smoky warmth of blues and jazz, the P90 has a voice that’s hard to ignore.

Pictured: Epiphone Casino P90 Pickups

Popular P90/P-90 Pickups

Modern P90 (or P-90, depending on manufacturer) pickups honor their vintage roots while offering enhanced features for today’s players. The Gibson P-90 Soapbar Single Coil delivers classic P90 tone with balanced clarity and punch, making it a great choice for any genre. For those who want vintage tone with a touch of refinement, the Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90 Dog Ear brings hand-aged authenticity and rich harmonic detail. Finally, the Mojotone 56 Quiet Coil P-90 is perfect for players looking to enjoy the unmistakable P90 sound without the hum, thanks to its noiseless design.

Shop Now: Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90 Dog Ear Bridge Pickup

The Common Uses of P90 Pickups

P90s thrive in settings where versatility and character are essential. Their higher output compared to Fender-style single coils allows for a beefier tone that holds its own in rock and blues. At the same time, their clarity and response to picking dynamics make them equally suited to jazz or even clean rhythm playing. With their raw, responsive nature, P90s reward expressive playing and can handle both shimmering cleans and gritty overdrive with ease.

Popular Guitar Models Featuring P90 Pickups

Gibson remains the go-to name for iconic P90-equipped guitars. The Gibson Les Paul Junior pairs a single P90 with a stripped-down design for a raw, direct tone favored by punk and blues players. Meanwhile, the Gibson Les Paul Special features dual P90s and versatile controls, making it a versatile choice for players who want vintage looks and tones with added flexibility. Finally, the Epiphone Casino, favorite of Brit-pop fans everywhere is one of the most widely recognized guitars to boast that classic P90 sound.

Shop Now: Gibson Les Paul Junior Electric Guitar in Ebony

Find the Right Electric Guitar Pickup for You

We hope this article has given you some useful insights and guidance toward finding the best pickups for you and your guitar. While we’ve only scratched the surface, the sheer variety of pickups available today in each of these categories is truly astounding—it’s like we’re living in a golden age of pickups.

If you’re interested in learning more about pickups, we’d recommend a few Riffs articles: The Ultimate Guide to Gibson Pickups, A Guide to Seymour Duncan Pickups and A Guide to Fender Pickups.

Pictured: Gibson Les Paul, Fender Stratocaster and Epiphone Casino Electric Guitars

Explore our full selection of single coils, humbuckers and P90s online, or connect with your personal Gear Adviser to narrow down your options. Better yet, visit your local Guitar Center to get hands-on with guitars equipped with these pickups and see how they fit your playing style. While you’re there, take advantage of our knowledgeable associates—they’re ready to help you make the right choice.

No matter how you approach it, finding the right pickups is all about discovering the sound that makes you, well, you. And that, after all, is what it’s all about.