I'm in the market for a new guitar, and the model I want to get comes with a variety of pickup arrangements. I'm a little confused about what to choose. I know pickup type changes the sound, but I need a little more info. Here are the possible set-ups: -3 way selector/2 humbuckers -5 way selector/2 single coils 1 humbucker -5 way selector/3 single coil(one telecaster style) -3 way selector/2 P-90s(not sure what they are) -5 way selector/3 P-90s -5 way selector/2 humbuckers + coil tap. Well, I hope there's someone out there who knows something about all this, and can help sort it out.
What type of sound are you going for? Name some guitarists that you really enjoy and that could help with giving advice. Also, what type of guitar are talking about here? I've never seen so many options on any particular model of guitar. Another thing to consider is that no two guitars are alike. Personally, I would never purchase a guitar that I hadn't played - and I mean the exact specific guitar the way it is set up in the shop - not the model. You really should just try everything and buy the exact guitar (again not model) that you like the sound of best.
Well, I know that Les Pauls are well known for having humbuckers, and I like alot of the people who use them(Clapton, Pete Townshend, Jimmy Page), but I also really like the sound of a clean strat, like some of the stuff Jimi Hendrix and Mark Knopfler do. I'm just wondering whether the pickups will make a difference, and if it would be possible to get some of the sounds I mentioned above from one guitar. Of course I know that both Fender and Les Pauls are unique and that I won't be able to completely have their sound, but I want to know if different pickups will allow me capture some of it. And I did try it out in the store, but I didn't have enough time to check out all the different setups and see what I like, so that's why I'm asking for guidance in this area. And the guitar is called Reverend, by the way.
I don't know what your financial situation is, but I'd say get one of each! I have a Squier Stratocaster, and a Gibson SG standard. They each have their own unique character and sound. When I am playing some hardcore blues, I've got to play the Strat. Single coil pickups are crisper and have a cleaner, more treble-y bite to them. And that guitar is made for the blues. and of course Jimi is god The Gibson sound is more mellow. Humbuckers produce a fuller, rounder sound, with more substance, and more volume. Pete Townshend inspired me to get an SG. It's a good rock guitar too. It really is an important decision; singlecoil or humbucker... get both if you can... but if not, I say go for the humbucker, because that is a higher-quality guitar sound (in my opinion). And humbucking pickups really do cut down on the hum that comes through the amplifier!
Reverend guitars? I've heard of them. Couple of guys I used to know used 'em. As for P-90s...here's a thread from The Fender Forum I made a while ago about them. I would copy and paste it here, but there's a lot of stuff and I don't want to miss anything out. http://www.thefenderforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8300 Also remember that humbuckers do cut down on the hum that comes through, but shielding a guitar will cause a drastic decrease in hum too.
well, i would say if you want to play more stuff with distortion such as Randy Rhoads stuff, then you would be wanting the humbucker, though if you wanted a warmer clean sound you would look at the single coil. iam not sure if this is 100% true though thats how it is on my guitar which has 2x single coil and 1x humbucker.
2 singles and 1 humbucker (I'm guessing in the bridge) will offer you the most variety, which is important when your starting out.
the guitar i own (first guitar) has 2 single coils and 1 humbucker which has a great variety of sounds and tones to choose from with a little tweaking, a very versitile set-up.
I've got a 5 way selector with two singles and one humbucker (yes, on the bridge) and I can't think of anything i'd rather have.
