On behalf of internet users everywhere, we appreciate the time, effort, knowledge, skill AND good will that went into this extremely informative and entertaining video. Thank you.
@@jaxsonrogie2816 Keep up the work, man. I think it's the greatest instrument in existence. I've had several guitar students of mine turn professional in under 2 years of playing. Playing the guitar isn't very hard as long as you accept the fact that it isn't very hard. I've heard so many students say something like "I'll never be able to play like that..," or "I'll never play as well as (insert famous name here,)"and my response has always been "Why not? Who told you that you're not allowed to play like that?" Most professional musicians approach their instruments no different than any other trade skill. If you can learn to lay bricks, run pipe in a kitchen, or frame a wall you can certainly learn to play professionally. I hope this takes you places.
Single coils have more treble and mids, which gives it a creamier tone. P90s are similar to single coils, however it has a bit more output and has more bass boost. Humbuckers are in a league of its own, it has a higher output than both p90 and single coils. With more bass and mids with passive, and more bass and gain on active. If you want some jazz and Country, single coils. For punk and classic rock, p90s. For hard rock and metal genre's like heavy, glam metalcore and old school thrash, passive humbuckers. For more extreme subgenres like black, death, modern thrash and doom metal. Go with active humbuckers.
Correct approach: just have fun! So many times I've started playing a riff with an SG (humbuckers) and then tried the same with a Strat (3single coils)! Sometimes I like humbuckers, other times I'm team single coil. I need a p90 guitar!
Just picked up a Burny RLC60 P90 Les Paul Goldtop! An absolutely awesome guitar for sensible money! Best price I found was “Steven James Guitar and Amp Centre”, check out their site!
I got a Fender Noventa Strat (2 x P90) & it's a huge preference of mine - I much prefer the sound of Fender P90s to Gibsons (and I love & own Gibson & Fender guitars). If you're considering a Gibson TV Special, you owe it to yourself to try a Fender Noventa (I almost bough the Tele with 1 P90, I actually owned the Jazzmaster with 3 P90s overnight but returned it, it was incredibly heavy). I'd get the Strat again given the choice, but the Tele is a very close 2nd.
I'm an engineer and worked at Delphi, a huge automotive parts supplier. The similarities between a pickup and a fuel injector is crazy. Fuel injectors have a bobbin of copper wire around a spring loaded pin with a steel ball welded on the end. It's spring loaded closed..the ball seats into a little seat to stop fuel. When you energize the FI, the bobbin acts like an electromagnet and opens up the nozzle and fuel sprays, cut power and it shuts via the spring. Easy! But the bobbin winders I'm sure are the same as for an electric guitar pickup!
Hi Dagan. This is awesome video. Finally there is a video explaining the difference of the pickups informatively without gibberish needed to be skipped. Thank you! You are awesome. Could you do a semi-hollow (1-sound-hole style vs 2 sound hole style) vs solid body comparison in the future?
I am a pretty hard and fast P90 and single coil user, my favorite single coil being a Telecaster bridge. I mainly play rhythm, so I am not too fussed about lead tones. That being said, I do think a humbucker in the neck is a pretty nice lead tone.
I have the Gibson Les Paul Special with humbucker pick ups. Same Gibson Humbucker guitar in the same colour shown in this video. I love the Gibson Les Paul Special. Best guitar I've ever had and still have. It's my go to guitar
One point he didn't bring out is how responsive P-90s are to pick dynamics, ie how hard you pick/ strum . Played with moderate force , they sound close to ( conventional) single coils . Dig in hard , and they go close to humbuckers .
Greatest contribution to all things rock has to be - Treble Boosting . Giving you essentially the best of both worlds. It almost like having Two different guitar brands .
I just wanna add some more points about single coils because I've been so obsessed with them lately. The number of wraps, also known as the number of turns, around a pickup coil affects the EQ in the end by altering the output level and frequency response of the pickup. More wraps result in a higher output level and a stronger mid-range, which can make the pickup sound warmer and more powerful. On the other hand, fewer wraps result in a lower output level and a more open high-end, which can make the pickup sound brighter and more articulate. Common DC rating of pickups refers to the DC resistance of the coil, which is measured in ohms. The DC resistance of a pickup is an important characteristic as it directly affects the output level and tone of the pickup. Here are the characteristics of each common DC rating of pickups: Low DC Resistance Pickups (less than 6k ohms): These pickups typically have a bright, open sound with a clear high-end response. They are great for vintage tones and cleaner playing styles. However, they may lack the mid-range punch and sustain of higher DC resistance pickups. Medium DC Resistance Pickups (between 6k and 12k ohms): These pickups offer a balanced tone with a moderate amount of mid-range punch and sustain. They are versatile and suitable for a wide range of playing styles and musical genres. High DC Resistance Pickups (more than 12k ohms): These pickups typically have a strong mid-range and high-end response, which can result in a more aggressive and focused tone. They are great for heavier playing styles and can help push the amplifier into overdrive. However, they may lack the clarity and openness of lower DC resistance pickups. It's important to note that the DC resistance rating is just one aspect of a pickup's tone, and that other factors such as magnet type and wire gauge also play a significant role in determining the overall sound of a pickup. The wire gauge of a single coil pickup affects the tone by altering the amount of wire used to make the coil, which can affect the resistance, inductance, and capacitance of the pickup. Thicker wire has a lower resistance but a higher inductance, which can result in a brighter, more focused tone with a strong midrange. This is because thicker wire creates a stronger magnetic field, which can increase the output level and provide more sustain. Thinner wire, on the other hand, has a higher resistance but a lower inductance, which can result in a warmer, more vintage tone with a softer attack. This is because thinner wire creates a weaker magnetic field, which can result in a more delicate and nuanced sound. The wire gauge also affects the capacitance of the pickup, which can influence the high-end response of the pickup. Higher capacitance can result in a smoother, warmer tone with less high-end sparkle, while lower capacitance can result in a brighter, more articulate tone with more high-end presence. It's important to note that the wire gauge is just one of many factors that contribute to the overall tone of a single coil pickup. Other factors, such as the type and strength of the magnets, the number of turns in the coil, and the type of insulation used, also play important roles in shaping the sound of a pickup. Ultimately, the choice of wire gauge depends on the desired tone and playing style. Thicker wire is generally better suited for heavier playing styles and brighter, more focused tones, while thinner wire is better suited for cleaner playing styles and warmer, more vintage tones. That being said, there are many boutique single coil builders that produce high-quality pickups, but here are five that are particularly noteworthy. Here are some to lookout for - Lollar Pickups - Based in Tacoma, Washington, Lollar Pickups offers a wide range of handmade single coil pickups for guitar and bass. Their pickups are known for their clarity, balance, and dynamic response, and they have been used by many notable guitarists. Lindy Fralin Pickups - Lindy Fralin is a well-known name in the world of boutique pickups, and his single coil pickups are particularly popular. Based in Richmond, Virginia, Fralin's pickups are known for their clarity, warmth, and vintage vibe. Porter Pickups - Based in Orange County, California, Porter Pickups offers a range of single coil pickups that are handmade using high-quality materials. Their pickups are known for their balance, clarity, and versatility, and they are particularly popular among blues and rock guitarists. Jason Lollar - In addition to his work with Lollar Pickups, Jason Lollar also produces handmade pickups under his own name. Based in Seattle, Washington, Lollar's pickups are known for their clarity, warmth, and vintage character. Klein Pickups - Based in Petaluma, California, Klein Pickups is a relatively new player in the world of boutique pickups, but they have quickly gained a reputation for their high-quality single coil pickups. Their pickups are known for their clarity, balance, and versatility, and they are particularly popular among jazz and fusion guitarists. All of these builders use high-quality materials and traditional winding techniques to produce pickups that are renowned for their tone and quality. While their pickups can be more expensive than mass-produced pickups, many players consider them to be a worthwhile investment in their tone.
Basically we ALL need ALL 3! Although you can use any pickup, I find certain styles and numbers are better suited to particularly pickups....Give it a try!
I’m hopeless. I pick up one of my guitars and think «THIS IS IT. I’M GOING TO USE THIS AS MY MAIN GUITAR FROM NOW ON». Then I pick up one of my other guitars, and I’m like «WOW, THIS IS GREAT, THIS IS THE ONE». Endless cycle. Today it was my two P90 guitars that got all my love.
Great explanations and demonstrations, clear, interesting and informative. And thanks for the heads-up for Jared James Nichols, never heard him before but will defo listen more now I've dipped my toes in his water! Muchas Gracias Amigo.
Dagan --- the orignial wide-range humbuckers were "special"-- the offset configuration of the pole screws doesn't mean anything, but they were made from CuNiFe (copper-nickel-iron) magnets, not AlNiCo or ceramic. Fender has reintroduced the CuNiFe pickups and sells them individually. They have a wide dynamic range and a particular unmistakable sound.
Fast becoming one of my all time favorite presenters on YT. Awesome style, awesome humor, and awesome playing. Even his name, Dagan, is just oozing cool. The amount of pussy just flying at this dude must be endless. He's about as cool as the guitars he's demoing. Exactly what you expect when you walk into an instrument shop. Dude needs to have a national touring act.
Such a great and informative video, so clever to use both Les Paul’s for comparison and although you didn’t want to emulate Les Paul himself, I was surprised and in love with the P90s clean tones you played. A guitar with P90s is now in my wish list!
I have a lp junior with humbucker... And I was thinking of upgrading to a p90 because it seems like it's the thing to do.. After watching this I think I just love all three coils... Maybe I should rather get a strat and a special.. Then I can have all three.. Thanx man
I've always found the best way to really either find out what u prefer or cover all bases safely... if it's a Gibson or epiphone rock a PAF (humbucker) in the bridge and a p90 in the neck... dog or soap really dont matter except if you sing and curse alot obviously you require a soap bar p90... on a strat just super strat it and go humbucker in the bridge then single coils for the mid and neck... obviously if it's a tele go humbucker in the bridge (presumably a TVjones) and if daff enough go danelectro lipstick on the neck of your jaguar and jag single in the bridge... if you collect all 4 the congrats your now in the club of men whose women point at your guitars during any convo that involves money and comments in a negative nature about your expensive "hobbie" and if you play a jazzmaster then you do not pass go.. nor do you collect $200 dollars...
Jeez, mate. I needed a long cold one after that. I can only imagine you had to go for a pint. ;D Thanks heaps, brother. Oh, and cheers from the land Downundah. \m/ 0_o \m/
I played an Epiphone nighthawk at "guitar center" my first time playing P90s and it seemed like the sound was all over the place, OR maybe it was the guitar? IDK, I think I'm a Humbucker person. and my Schecter has coil tap so i have all I need
My initial and only electric is a Yamaha with humbuckers. The lack of high frequency sound of humbuckers just bugs me so much that I’m inspired to play more rock n roll stuff than the more funky and country stuffs I love. I’ll definitely would try single-coil for my next guitar.
I'm glad he mentioned the middle position on a LP or such. More than anything, I play my 335 or my Les Paul, both humbuckers for those that don't know, and the middle position is my general tone. Bridge pickup on 6, neck on 8, but in the middle position and I rarely switch. I dig in harder or kick on a pedal if I need more gas. It's a good sound.
My first point I guess would be. How can yo u get a true comparison from different guitar wiring. Pots and caps make a huge difference as well as I have learned while learning to be a luthier. I have guitars that are identical but sound different because of the Caps and pots I put in them.
Here's a pickup success story. Years ago, I fell in love with an Epiphone Les Paul Plus Top Pro/FX, a Les Paul that featured a Floyd Rose Special double-locking vibrato unit. The guitar also was loaded with Epi's Alnico Classic humbuckers, and it yielded one of the best sets of tones I've ever heard! Alas, I was broke and couldn't buy it. Sometime later, I began to get into modifying guitars. I tend to like the looks of Strat-styled guitars, though I still love Les Pauls. I began considering the type of guitar I would most like to modify, and began looking for that guitar at pawn shops. I didn't find it, but I did find an Ibanez RG220B with a cracked neck that I eventually acquired for $25. I bought it because I thought I could repair the neck and then install a bridge I'd bought and didn't use in the guitar I bought it for and wanted to use anyway. I did both those things, replaced the worn nut, gave the guitar a fret job -- then got lucky in finding a pair of Epi Alnico Classics for about $25 on eBay. I got them into the RG and was completely surprised when the result gave me almost the exact same tone that the Les Paul had! Those two guitars have almost nothing in common. Wood recipes, neck joints, scale lengths, vibrato materials ... all were different. Nevertheless, the tone from my RG sounds just like the memory of that Epi! That's success!😎❤️️🎸‼️
@@aitken1965 On the contrary, I learned that pickups have a bigger influence than I thought, but the greatest influence still came from the fret job and subsequent setup. I don't disparage the role of the pickups - that role is pivotal - but it is not the only pivotal factor involved. I may also have evidence that the pickups in question may simply be overbearing and overriding all other tonal influences, and that I might just like the results. S'all good. I just say the pickups are much more important than I thought. It's a good lesson.
If I were a good enough guitarist to have my own signature model, it would have just one pickup. It would be in a Strat style body for the ergonomics, pickup in the middle position, and it would be a stacked staple humbucker. Two position switch - rhythm position would be series, lead would be parallel. (Maybe a middle position that would be just the single coil.) Separate volume controls or a fixed voltage divider on the switch to match the levels. There's so much tone available in that middle pickup position that it seems, to me, almost criminal that it is so frequently overlooked.
In order for two pickups with opposite winding directions must also have opposite polarities (one pickup with magnet "S" pole up, and one with "N" pole up), in order for them to be hum-cancelling. And, the winding don't actually have to be opposite. Swapping the signal wire with the ground wire of one pickup, when hooking it up, accomplishes the same things as opposite wind directions. The actual scientific explanation of why this works is complicated...but, the practical application is no more complicated than as stated...flip the magnet & reverse the "leads" of one single coil that will be paired with a "normal" pickup and Voila...no hum.
GREAT presentation... "Magical playing", "articulate" explanation, and always, ALWAYS > presented to us all with a great presence. Thanks for sharing Hero. Give me a Gibson Les Paul and I will rock my world. Give me a Strat single coil for a "GREAT" change.
The main thing to understand is that raw pickups need to work into high impedance electrical loads - 250k-1M ohm. If you force a passive pickup to work into a low impedance load (such as a line-level direct box), the high end will be rolled off, much like turning down a treble control. This will not happen with active pickups, because the guitar contains built-in high impedance preamps that protect the pickups from low impedance loads.
A difficult question for you . How can someone combine Humbackers with the Iommy's pedal ? (bcc booster) Can you tame that ? Anxious for your respond .
