@@XLTBlarg I know, I'm just trying to put me shoes in his, although if it were me, I would the exact same thing to see how the difference take the music.
You shouldn't use pedals when demonstrating the tone of a pickup. A beginner might not even know you're using them and just think that's the natural sound of the pickup.
NoiseFeedMusic that use of autowah in the first example was super heavy in the mix and some kids that have barely touched a guitar might think a single coil gets that sound by itself. At the end of the day, they'll learn eventually so yeah
active pickups are good if you dont own an amp....lol. i have actives in my ltd ec330fm guitar and my ibanez sr300 bass...in the bass they are amazing. in the guitar i dont see much difference other than "shpuld i change the battery soon?" lol
P90s through my observational hearing have the most "throatiest" tone. Single coil: jangly rubber twang Humbucker: Generic jazz sounds and distortion P90: Hot woman throwing their soaked panties at your face
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.
A great detailed video, just one comment about you putting the pickups to certain genres, it should be mentioned that you can get any genre on all three pickups if you play them right. Gary Moore, BB King and Joe Bonamassa all have bluesy feely stuff on buckers, where the likes Andrew Groves from Arcane Roots and Simon Neil from Biffy Clyro have got really heavy sounds from strats!
Totally agree. Like for example, people usually recommend single coil pickups for fuzz, but guys like Robby Krieger and Josh Homme got along just fine with humbuckers.
Not at all saying that you can't play anything with any pickup. Just most common uses for the sake of keeping the video concise and under 7 minutes long.
Goes to a guitar center Colin : im looking to buy peckups for a project Employee : ok, so, how much peckups you want Colin : i want sex (six) Employee : ...
You should hear me speak English at the Guitar Center. I have overheard two employees making fun of me, near the restrooms, and one of them was saying that I sound like Schwarzenegger.
I actually prefer humbuckers for clean playing, and single coils for higher gain and rocking. I love the tones of Blackmore, Hendrix, Page (Most of his work in the studio was done on a Tele of all things).
Great video! I never bothered to look up the difference between a P90 (as i've never played a guitar that has had one installed) and the others so this actually helps explain it.
First of all I love all of your videos. I just want to say John Fogerty is known for using Gibson's with humbuckers in them. On a past tour it was within the past 5 years I saw a video about it, he was using an old Goldtop with P90s. He was rocking it sounded good with that thing. It just goes to show the type of pickup doesn't really make that much of a difference. It's what you do with the signal from the guitar after that. More recently in a live performance from Frank Hannon and his band he was using a single coil Strat to play some Van Halen songs and it sounded spot-on. My opinion is no matter what type of guitar you play you will always sound like yourself playing that instrument. I've noticed that in my playing.
Colin, you should try Filtertron pickups, especially in the bridge. Like a single coil with the power of a humbucker but with plenty of jangle and articulation.
Kirk Wahmmett Yes, you see them on the high end Gretsch guitars, boutique guitars and custom builds. I would put them on par with Lollar pickups. Brian Setzer has his own signature pickups through him.
I really wanna put a single coil in something like a Jackson for leads. I love my super dark down tuned deathcore/metalcore, but the sound of a single coil on the neck for cleans and leads is just incredible.
My '91 Jackson Dinky XL has a H-S-S configuration, which is arguably one of the most versatile arrangements out there. Reverend Guitars are also exploring a lot of the possibilities with their available combinations of pickups (Railhammers, P90's, Single-coils, HB's, etc...).
Worth mentioning that a strat pickup, mustang pickup, jaguar pickup, p-90, gretsch dynasonic and many more are all single coil pickups. What’s being demonstrated in this video is a strat type pickup for example of single coil but really any pickup with one (single) coil of wire is a single coil. Well done video though!
Collin, your videos are my favorite on RU-vid. I dig how much I've learned from you about the gear we know and love. Your stuff has really inspired me to pull apart my rig piece-by-piece to learn what's under the hood. Looking forward to the next video as always :)
Exactly. The mini-humbucker is the missing child in these comparisons. The mix of humbucker power, single coil brightness and zero hum make them my favorite.
Pretty Strat! By the way, thanks for being one of the few guitar-demo vids where the amp is mic'ed instead of hearing 75% of dry string noise and maybe 25% amplification like most other tapes.
Yeah, let him do a 5 hour video on the different types...there aren't that much around. Alone to compare them all you have to explain how every single type of them work/differ from the others. There are other sources on YT and the web who dedicate their whole time only on amps and finding the perfect NOS tubes from russia. Just turn to the specialist of a particular topic instead of waiting for everything from one source. To do your expected test he'd have to change the tubes several times, adjust the bias depending on the amp...a shitload of work.
Good to hear a Scottish accent for a change, plus I understood what you were saying, I liked the look of the 2nd guitar you were playing, can you tell me what it's called?
+B0rnles13 it's one of the guitars I built, I never have it a model name. You can find out more about it here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-K9ETE5JMfDo.html
I've got a cheap Ibanez laying around with two crap humbuckers installed, I wanted to do something different with it. You helped me decide to throw a couple P90's in. Thanks man! Cool videos
Thanks for this. I came wondering what the difference between the pickups was, I leave knowing which type I want on my next guitar as it suits the music I like. The surprising answer was p90. Thanks!
What about advances like "noiseless" single coils? :O Always found those interesting. And a rather famous example of a guitarist using single-coils in metal is Yngwie. Definitely an interesting tone he has.
I'm sure that you do know that regardless of its unique construction, the P-90 is a single-coil, not "technically" but actually. It's louder, thicker and punchier sounding than the Strat, and close to a good Tele bridge pickup which is usually a little brighter. The P-90 was NOT the "next logical evolution of guitar pickup technology" after the Strat. It came way before the Strat which was introduced in 1954. The P-90 was introduced by Gibson in 1946. Using any kind of effect, wah, distortion, etc., masks the sound of the pickup. Not a good idea in a shootout.
Love all the content! A question I've been wrestling with of late: Could you do a video on the difference between a preamp, a boost, and an overdrive? Thanks in advance!
Very informative, dude. I had a very limited understanding of the difference between the kinds of pickups but you've shed some light on it very well. Thanks! And I like your accent too.
Thanks bloke, recently bought a strat copy with a humbucker. Wasn't my choice, but by fuck I'm glad I got it. By the way, Scotland is the only place I've traveled in the world I'd love to visit again. Well done, from Aussie land.
first off, thanks for the tone comparison. I really dig the P90 tone and found your video pretty informative. Secondly, I love your retro sci-fi comic decor.
Well, that's Gibson's name for them. Seymour Duncan calls them "Phat Cats," but other companies like Fralin and Lollar just call them humbucker-sized P-90's or P-90's in humbucker covers.
Great, simple and concrete video. With the appropiate technical stuff for the ones like me that are interested in the electronics, and greats demos. Thank you so much for sharing this :) Regards from Argentina.
Thanks for putting up some text while you were talking. I couldn't figure out how you could pack 10,000 tonnes of copper wiring into such a little space.
Would like to see you do an episode like this in coil taps, since they're becoming popular now. Would be interesting to see how they compare to dedicated single coils, or if it changes the sound of the humbuckers
Great job! I have a Fender bullet that I bought in a pawn shop for $70 the other day and it has just one pickup, humbucker, and one volume knob like the one you used in this video with the P90....love the guitar and it is my go to fun guitar for cranking the blues......I was going to put a P90 in it but it sounds so good I am just leaving it alone......so surprised with the sounds I get from it....thanks for the demo.
*I came here to be reminded of what the 3 different types of guitar pickup sound like. Now I've seen this, I know that my favourite pickup is DEFINITELY the humbucker 'cause they sound nice and thick and loud!! So now I'm definitely gonna replace the 2 single coils in my Telecaster with 2 of those mini humbuckers you said about at the end! XD*
I don't really have an opinion on them. I've never tried them, mainly because they don't visually appeal to me. We play a guitar first with our eyes. They could be great, but I'd almost certainly pick up something else first.
Max Waters I was also put off by the looks of them at first, but I decided to try one at the store to see if it was any good. It was one of the lower end 7 strings and I found it played better than any guitar I had played in that same price range, and better than many guitars above it's price range. I recommend you try one out yourself and base your opinion on that
The low end Schecters are ok, but the slightly more expensive ones are very comfotable, good necks. I think ESP has the best necks for seven strings though. Find a store and jam on one, best way to find out
Dani Lantinga at first I thought it was unholy confessions then he changes the end like he does with most the riffs, maybe to avoid copy right ? However could be wrong !
Nice video ! Singles and P90 are the best and have a more clear and bright tone. Humbucker have a thick tone but sounds too muddy specially the neck pickup that i hate...
EMG pickups are no different than those listed in this video. Single coil, soap bar, or humbucker. The key difference is that they're fed straight into an impedance matched preamp before the signal ever leaves the guitar.
Like most guitarists, I use all three pick up variations on various guitars and I think using effects, whether it be pedals for delay etc or amp distortion makes the comparison null and void. If you had a clean amp set the same for all the pick ups then it would show the true sound. Like the volume difference and the actual sound of the pick ups. Some days I may use a Strat with 3 single coils, other days I may use a Les Paul Junior with a single P90 to play the same songs as once the signal has gone through my pedal board and amps I can get the sound I want.
