Replacing Your Guitar Pickups? Here's What To Look Out For

Let's start out by saying that what is thought to be a good guitar pickup by one guitarist might not be considered great by another. This is all about the search for the best tone and everyone has a completely different opinion of what great tone is.

A well made pickup is just like a fine meal. It's the mixture of several different ingredients merged together to complete the magic recipe. A little too much garlic or not enough heat and your meal can be poor, sloppy coil windings or the wrong magnets (to name just two ingredients) and bang goes your pickup's tone. There are many aspects that need to come together and the various guitar pickup suppliers seem to have their unique take on it.

It's not easy to get that incredibly elusive 'special' tone. Even the much sort after Gibson PAF (Patent Applied For) humbucker pickups of the late 1950's were not all great sounding. The good examples from that era are probably the best sounding pickups you'll ever hear, but there were definitely some duds from the same period. This contrast was mostly due to the hand built nature of these products, with stories of some workers in the Gibson factory going off for a coffee and leaving the winder on for just a bit too long.

Listed below are some of the elements that will play an important part in the overall result of a guitar pickup build:

1. The build quality in general. The taping, soldering and general putting together of all the components.

2. The coil windings. The pattern, tension, number of turns, whether it is scatter wound (some prefer this to the more even machine winding) and the type of wire.

3. The general quality of the materials used including the screws, magnets, bobbins etc.

4. Whether or not the pickups are wax potted. This is the process of sealing a pickup in a wax and paraffin mix to stop any microphonic feedback through the amp. Some say that a really great pickup doesn't need wax potting, in fact the old 1950's humbuckers weren't potted, but in reality most need it.

5. The balancing act between all the different components. For example the varying alnico and ceramic magnets balanced with the total number of coil winds is a major juggling act.

The other aspect to consider is of course your style of playing. For example a jazz guitarist might prefer a more rounded mellow sound with less output and maybe an Alnico 4 magnet. On the other hand a rocker could well be looking for much higher output based around a ceramic magnet.

There are some wonderful established pickup makers out there such as Di Marzio and Seymour Duncan and also some great new boutique pickup builders like Tub Guitar Pickups. If you want to give your axe a shot in the arm you might like to check them out.

The author has performed with various bands over the years and owns a variety of guitars. He loves to upgrade and customise his instruments and strongly recommends the excellent replacement humbucker pickups and Telecaster pickups from TubGuitarPickups.co.uk.

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For Those Thinking About Guitar Lessons

There are many options for those who want to take guitar lessons. First consider the goal of taking instruction and the amount of time and money the student is willing to spend learning the craft. Next, the student will have to decide what type of lessons to take, as there are several methods of learning. There should also be some consideration of the style and genre of music to be learned.

There are typically two types of beginners, those who want to learn specific songs, and those who are more interested in becoming proficient on the instrument in general. Goals should be expressed clearly to the instructor at the outset for a successful outcome. Either way, most beginners will find the need to start with simple exercises and scale practice.

Time is big reason with learning any new instrument. The instructor will expect the student to spend a reasonable amount of time practicing assignments or working on techniques and songs from the session. Time is limited for many people, so be sure to account for this when committing to the guitar.

Some instructors may be more expensive than others. It is also possible to take instruction anywhere from one to several days a week. Consider how much money you are willing to spend before you shop for teachers. Some students may already be proficient enough to only need one session per week, while beginners may need more regular time with a teacher. Rates will also vary depending on whether the lessons are through a music store or a private school.

If private instruction is not in the budget, there is always online instruction. The internet is rife with instructional videos, membership sites, and note by note instruction for thousands of songs. Instruction books can also be purchased online or at most music stores for almost any level of skill. While these methods are arguably less effective, and do not give the personal attention of a teacher, they are a good way to get started or even supplement a weekly session with a tutor.

Another important consideration is the type of guitar that is to be learned. Some instructors only teach a particular style, be it acoustic, classical, or electric. Be sure to ask about this before scheduling. It is best to find someone who is proficient in all styles and types, but if a student is particularly interested in classical techniques, they may become quickly frustrated with an instructor who primarily teaches electric for heavy metal musicians.

It is a good idea to ask about a potential teacher's tastes in music. While it is necessary to learn scales and rhythm patterns regardless of a preferred genre, all styles of music use notes and rhythms in very different ways. For instance, symphonic music and hard rock share many qualities in arrangement and notation, but starkly different approaches to instrumentation and interpretation. Make sure to pick an instructor who is a good match for your musical tastes.

Learning a new instrument is both exciting and daunting work. With good direction from an experienced player, it is possible to develop a skill that will bring pleasure and satisfaction for a lifetime. Use these tips when deciding where and how to take guitar lessons, and begin a journey of musical exploration.

Trying to learn how to play the guitar? Then consider taking guitar lessons from Long & McQuade - one of Canada's biggest music stores offering a wide selection of drums, guitars and music lessons all across the nation.

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