Guitar Pickups 101 - Here's Eveything You Need To know!

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  • Опубліковано 21 лют 2021
  • Here's a few things I wish I knew this before buying my first guitar, so hopefully it helps! Follow along as I look at some of the most common pickup layouts!
    If you enjoyed this video, be sure to like and subscribe to the channel :)
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,1 тис.

  • @DarrellBraunGuitar
    @DarrellBraunGuitar  3 роки тому +320

    It can be very overwhelming trying to buy a guitar for the first time! Hopefully this pickup 101 guide will help new buyers and players narrow it down! Enjoy :)

    • @vedranb87
      @vedranb87 3 роки тому +7

      Great episode! Just the type of info I need now, and excellently presented as always, without pretentious crap. Keep it up and thank you. :)

    • @Orville24
      @Orville24 3 роки тому +4

      Thanks Darrel. I was just at Sam ash and they showed me the pickups that they upgraded with and your picture popped up on the screen. I got the double tap fender upgraded at 920d with Seymour Duncan's and locking tuners.. You da man. I would not have known what I was looking at without watching your videos.

    • @lylesteely2604
      @lylesteely2604 3 роки тому +7

      perfect timing...really struggling to figure out what I am going to buy for my mid life crisis purchase--going to learn guitar instead of sports car or women half my age...well at least not the sports car.

    • @Motoroil555
      @Motoroil555 3 роки тому +2

      I really need this advice, I want to work on my guitars to make them better

    • @juancarlosmiralles2341
      @juancarlosmiralles2341 3 роки тому

      What about for Math Rock?

  • @thequantumvacuum
    @thequantumvacuum 3 роки тому +1549

    The best guitar to buy is one of each.

    • @strumminronin
      @strumminronin 3 роки тому +74

      And amps too. And cabs. And pedals. :P

    • @Zach-lv5qs
      @Zach-lv5qs 3 роки тому +56

      Or a few of each 🙃

    • @JOSEPH-vs2gc
      @JOSEPH-vs2gc 3 роки тому +36

      Sooner or later somebody will release a bargain bin version of Those Relish guitars where you could switch pickups on the fly. It should be as easy as putting a cartridge into a super nintendo, and i sincerely doubt that you need to be a master engineer to figure out how to do it. (Or you could just mod the sound through software)

    • @p5z91
      @p5z91 3 роки тому

      😂😂😂😂😂

    • @mavenanderson9325
      @mavenanderson9325 3 роки тому +5

      Buy everything you need 🤣

  • @tejjensen9402
    @tejjensen9402 3 роки тому +316

    Now, as a 70 year old, I bought a Squier Stratocaster. Have never had a guitar but am a big Hank Marvin fan, so most people here know what I want to try to play. Everybody says. You will never learn that before your last sigh !!! (at least 20 people) But i will then try.
    I see many hours of your incredible knowledge Darrall. Thank you.

    • @chasbodaniels1744
      @chasbodaniels1744 2 роки тому +34

      @TEJ …. I’m sure you’re ignoring anyone who discourages learning something new.
      Keep playing and especially enjoying the process!

    • @acquitz2208
      @acquitz2208 2 роки тому +14

      Enjoy every minute of it!

    • @FreshSqueezedLightning
      @FreshSqueezedLightning 2 роки тому +10

      Ignore the boring people who live by societal conventions. You have fun and learn guitar at your pace that makes you happy!

    • @asherplatts6253
      @asherplatts6253 2 роки тому +12

      The best time to start learning is yesterday, the second best time is right now! Get at it!

    • @paulgordon6949
      @paulgordon6949 2 роки тому +5

      Go for it man! Get yourself something like a squier classic vibe stratocaster, or fender one depending on your budget. Or something exotic if you prefer - why not. And go for it. You will not regret it, that I can almost guarantee! Best of luck with it, and enjoy.

  • @RC32Smiths01
    @RC32Smiths01 3 роки тому +481

    Hey man, different pickups do give different results. The possibilities are endless in this day and age of guitar!

    • @DarrellBraunGuitar
      @DarrellBraunGuitar  3 роки тому +108

      What a great problem to have! We are definitely spoiled for choice 😁

    • @RC32Smiths01
      @RC32Smiths01 3 роки тому +15

      @@DarrellBraunGuitar Ahh haha! True!

    • @liammoran-mi5py
      @liammoran-mi5py Рік тому +1

      @@DarrellBraunGuitar could U do a vid especially for Epiphone pickups BC I have a Epiphone LP special 2 and I Wana know the best new pickups to put on it

    • @garbagetalkerbeast4311
      @garbagetalkerbeast4311 3 місяці тому

      My dream guitar was Jackson Mr Atomic with HSS pickup

    • @hallofshame6112
      @hallofshame6112 12 днів тому

      Yeah my cheap fender has a lot of strength for sustainable play and a high treble easily control through tones.sss

  • @joshuamichael4312
    @joshuamichael4312 3 роки тому +171

    Darrell gets an automatic thumbs up from me just for being so happy. I couldn't imagine him in a bad mood, and quite frankly, I couldn't imagine myself in a bad mood if I had his job hahah.

    • @mikeomatic9905
      @mikeomatic9905 3 роки тому +8

      I wonder what he’s like sitting in traffic...

    • @imgerrydee
      @imgerrydee 3 роки тому +3

      @@mikeomatic9905 he's Canadian...

    • @dmitria6847
      @dmitria6847 2 роки тому

      @@imgerrydee I wonder if all canadians are like him? If yes, I may think of moving there for the rest of my life.

    • @dmitria6847
      @dmitria6847 2 роки тому

      @@mikeomatic9905 I guess any traffic in a stereotypic canadian province is highly entertaining. That is why people are so friendly there. In overpopulated areas of Europe it's opposite.

    • @devinvenne
      @devinvenne 2 роки тому +1

      @@dmitria6847 oh believe me it is not all sunshine and rainbows here lol

  • @glenngardin3561
    @glenngardin3561 3 роки тому +335

    I've got both a Les Paul and a Tele with splitable humbuckers and neither sound like true single coils. This is why people end up with half a dozen guitars! Thanks for another great video Darrell!

    • @cjgrasser759
      @cjgrasser759 3 роки тому +16

      I agree. Split coil HBs are almost a third type of sound.

    • @Crash.7434
      @Crash.7434 3 роки тому +8

      Idk what you call them but I call them dual humbuckers, my dad played guitar for half his life and he told me for the type of music I wanna play I’ll need those pickups to get the sound I want. The style of music I like playing is punk rock. So I listened and made sure my guitar had them and now I can’t quit playing it. If I ain’t at school or work I’m playing guitar. I bought a used Ibanez gio and I like it more than my dads les Paul.

    • @willm3027
      @willm3027 2 роки тому +1

      @@Crash.7434 what kind of punk rock? Blink 182 is the only band I’ve found 😅 just curious not trying to spread hate.

    • @Crash.7434
      @Crash.7434 2 роки тому +5

      @@willm3027 look up bands like Sex Pistols, the misfits, minor threat, life sentence, gbh, the exploited, the germs, there’s more I just can’t think of it anything really that’s like 1995 and older

    • @willm3027
      @willm3027 2 роки тому

      @@Crash.7434 I’ll check them out little by little. It takes time for me to fully digest a band, but if they sound like blink I will like for sure! Thanks btw

  • @sdw-hv5ko
    @sdw-hv5ko 4 місяці тому +18

    Been playing guitar for 15 years and never knew any of this stuff LOL. I've always been intimidated by gear and tech but I know it's something I have to learn in order to improve my tone. This video is super awesome-concise, instructive, easy to understand. Great stuff!

    • @mtnmoo
      @mtnmoo 4 місяці тому

      That’s funny to me. I’ve only played for a year but I’m obsessed with gear and setup stuff. Also a broke college student, so I have a squire Strat and p bass, and a cheap Yamaha acoustic. Set up awesomely by just experimenting, got into mods, and made me feel 200x more connected to my guitars. I recommend working on your guitars or getting into this stuff bc you really start to feel a connection with your instrument

    • @nathanbrisebois8756
      @nathanbrisebois8756 2 місяці тому

      Work on your own guitars man! It's liberating, and most of it is actually pretty easy. I played for 15 years myself before I had the cajones to start hacking at my guitars, but I'm glad I did, it's super rewarding and satisfying, and saves you money! I have a knockoff les paul that has some very weird features and hardware and I needed to replace the tuners, but the place I took it to couldn't find the weird bespoke ones and there weren't any off the shelf products that would work and he refused to work on my guitar! (Kind of weird) so in a rage I went home and easily found tuners that would work, but the posts had a sheath that was wider than the existing holes, so I bored them out a bit wider and replaced the pickups, bridge and saddle and filed the nut too and now it sounds and plays like a $1000+ guitar

  • @tredogzs
    @tredogzs 3 роки тому +49

    I have NO idea how to play guitar or even own one... but I LOVE these videos! What is wrong with me!

    • @tehalexy
      @tehalexy 3 роки тому +10

      You can buy good & cheap guitars to start with :)

    • @darraghhenley7528
      @darraghhenley7528 2 роки тому +7

      You should buy a gutair you’ll never go back

    • @deanschofield9102
      @deanschofield9102 2 роки тому +16

      One of us
      One of us

    • @ryanguffy4739
      @ryanguffy4739 4 місяці тому +2

      Time to start playing!

    • @ZoltarCreatesSandwiches
      @ZoltarCreatesSandwiches 2 місяці тому

      If you have previous experience with music it could be gear acquisition syndrome. I started out playing percussion and keys and one day i just got the itches. I needed to buy a guitar. It was all i could think about. I eventually snapped and bought a nice ibanez for cheap at an antique store. If you want to start id recommend getting cheap guitar because theres lots of things you need to get along with it. The most important being the amp. I know how you feel. The only way to get rid of it is to buy a guitar.

  • @PressuredSpeechBand
    @PressuredSpeechBand 3 роки тому +10

    This guy knows how to get information across without a bunch of filler. Can't wait to see the other videos!

  • @manuele.itriagom.728
    @manuele.itriagom.728 3 роки тому +33

    I think a great option for someone that's only going to own one guitar is good humbuckers with coil splitting. It's not the same as single coil when split, but it gives so many options.
    That's what I'm rocking right now and it's the best decision I've made since I own only one guitar.

  • @Hiro.the.God.
    @Hiro.the.God. Рік тому +7

    Thank you Darrell. You don’t know how important your channel has been for me in my guitar learning journey. You answer all the noob questions and then some. Watching your channel is free, and that makes it an absolute steal.

  • @EpicCultureClash
    @EpicCultureClash 3 роки тому +2

    Found this channel by accident........made me buy and start practicing guitar again......this guy is just a bundle of positive energy !!!

  • @dannywilliams3516
    @dannywilliams3516 3 роки тому +3

    Thank you Darryl I really enjoyed this video and it helped me to thoroughly make up my mind on the choices as far as pickups go what I want to use in my first guitar.

  • @john_pryce9855
    @john_pryce9855 3 роки тому +52

    I recently picked up a Fender ‘Blacktop’ Stratocaster, which has three humbuckers! It’s amazing !!

    • @shanewalton8888
      @shanewalton8888 3 роки тому +2

      Can you select all three at the same time?

    • @consolectterree7030
      @consolectterree7030 3 роки тому +1

      Dude that's lit how does it sound

    • @lemonadedreams399
      @lemonadedreams399 3 роки тому +1

      @@shanewalton8888 you must buy jaguar HHH

    • @barrymiller2272
      @barrymiller2272 3 роки тому

      I purchased a blacktop Stratocaster as well...HOT pickups!

    • @shanewalton8888
      @shanewalton8888 3 роки тому +1

      @@lemonadedreams399 I've owned a Mustang in the past but turned out not to be the guitar for me. Next up for me is an acoustasonic then a CV Tele

  • @stevehanson2398
    @stevehanson2398 2 роки тому

    Hey Darrell. Thanks very much for another great vid👍🏻 I've been playing acoustic for a few years now and recently bought a cheap electric s-style "starter pack" to break into electric guitar playing. This channel is perfect for giving me invaluable information to help avoid wasting my cash. I really love the fact that you're not a guitar snob, focused merely on the name written on the headstock. I love the black Strat with the abalone pickups and I enjoyed watching you build it. Again, thanks for all your time and passion, it's greatly appreciated 😁

  • @woodtool2882
    @woodtool2882 2 роки тому +1

    I can't believe how I've been binging your channel. I normally won't watch a 15-20 min video, but yours are absolutely filled with solid information. I've learned a lot watching you. I have a HSS strat that a guy gave me. Actually a Starcaster. It wasn't in great shape so I had a local guy sort it out for me. This video made me feel good about the versatility of my HSS set up. Thanks.

  • @cjgrasser759
    @cjgrasser759 3 роки тому +15

    My first guitar when I was 8 years old was a Harmony Rocket, bought new in the 60's. I used it through college and after graduating I stopped playing until I was 59. The Rocket was too noisy to play with all the electronics around. The Humdebugger pedal did a pretty good job at noise reduction but I decided to get a Strat. I couldn't afford one when I was younger but now I could and my next guitar was a Fender VG Made in Mexico. I love that guitar for two reasons, It allows me to simulate the Tele sound and Humbucker sound. It also provides 12 string simulation and switchable alternate tunings, like Drop-D. The second reason is that it was only available for a year or two and Fender discontinued it. So I rekindled my interest at just the right time to pick this gem up. It is now worth 4 times what I paid for it. A couple years ago, as a birthday present my wife bought me an ESP with active humbucker pickups which were split coils. I like playing both. (She bought it based on the style of the body)
    Darrell should expand this topic to include solid vs hollow bodies and passive vs active pickups. Thanks for the video.

  • @claudiovezzoso7090
    @claudiovezzoso7090 3 роки тому +3

    I'm a newbie, I already have an SSS strato and I'm planning to buy a second guitar with a different configuration, so this video is really really useful, thank you!

  • @calbrockocat8728
    @calbrockocat8728 3 роки тому

    My buddy had his MIM Strat modded to HSS back in 1985.It's been his go to since. Really enjoy these info vids.

  • @thorinwhitewolf1213
    @thorinwhitewolf1213 Рік тому

    Thank you for this. I'm not a guitarist in the slightest but I love building things so I am making a custom setup for my daughter who has got the guitar bug. I had no idea what type of guitar would be the best for starting her off and all the pickups looked alien to me. This has helped so much so I now know what I am doing for her.

  • @LuckyYolo
    @LuckyYolo 3 роки тому +154

    Hii ! I liked those!
    For the 1% who see this comment... have a good day 🤩👍

  • @hazmansharuddin7844
    @hazmansharuddin7844 3 роки тому +11

    It took me quite some time to appreciate the humbucker on the bridge. I love the warmth of humbucker on neck. Now i love both.

    • @cyborgchimpy
      @cyborgchimpy Рік тому +2

      I know its an old comment...but i've always been exactly the way around. I started 15 years ago and RARELY EVER used the neck pickup. not on my first cheap epiphone, and also not on the dean vendetta 3.0 I still own..I just recently started thinking about really getting back into playing guitar and learning some new stuff..I think i'm going to experiment with the neck humbucker more...

  • @SsingAhh
    @SsingAhh 3 роки тому +1

    Hey Darrell thanks for the positive energy you put out. I really appreciate it. Not to mention your informative content as always.

  • @mattfischer3853
    @mattfischer3853 3 роки тому

    I recently modded an 80s Harmony H80 from strat style to dual humbuckers and dual coil splits. Really love the quiet of the humbucker for playing with headphones, but still love the split to bring out that bell chime.

  • @chrisggoodwin777
    @chrisggoodwin777 3 роки тому +86

    Being primarily a bass player, I tend to gravitate towards humbuckers. I prefer the lows and mids in my tone, and my particular guitars shine clearly without getting overly muddy, even when driven. Since I play a 5 string bass, I actually just bought a 7 string guitar to get the low B without losing the high E or messing with alternate tunings. I've got a serious case of the G.A.S. lol

    • @musenw8834
      @musenw8834 2 роки тому

      Sounds like a metal core / modern metal guitar/bass combo. I assume your five string is a PJ?

    • @musenw8834
      @musenw8834 2 роки тому

      🤔 maybe would be good to hear your guitar playing style to get a clearer view of your gear acquisition syndrome since yes I'm pretty aware that tones can vary depending on where you pluck the strings

    • @chrisggoodwin777
      @chrisggoodwin777 2 роки тому

      @@musenw8834 one 5 string is a Warwick $$, the other is a Sandberg with soapbars. 6 string bass is a Kiesel.

    • @chrisggoodwin777
      @chrisggoodwin777 2 роки тому

      @@musenw8834 I learned rudimentary classical style guitar which made the transition to bass easier. I've recently started playing guitar again, and learning to use a pick has been a bit of a challenge

    • @BuckwheatPlatypus
      @BuckwheatPlatypus Рік тому +4

      Single coil basses should be illegal🤣

  • @JohnSmith-ck9tp
    @JohnSmith-ck9tp 3 роки тому +6

    Also with most cheaper amplifiers they can sound fizzy with bright single coils, so it can be better to get strong humbuckers. A humbucker cancels out some of the higher end harmonics (both through it's design and the fact that it is usually wound more) and so can distort more cleanly
    There are all sorts of combinations and designs that try to get the best of both: my favorite is the gold foil single coil, which moves the single coil pickup a little closer to the neck, uses a lot of metal, reduces the magnetic strength, and all this makes the pickup sound warmer. And although you sacrifice some high end you can still distort it a good deal without it sounding fizzy.

  • @greekfreak1980
    @greekfreak1980 3 роки тому +5

    Most versatile pickup combo, imho is: H-S-Rails/Twinblade in the neck with a switch to split the bridge humbucker & the twinblade.

  • @mvyper
    @mvyper Рік тому

    I love the sound of a clean humbuckers. That throaty, mid rangy sound. You push a little harder and it get dirtier, you push it less it's sparkle clean. I recently built a prs style kit, and I put Seymour Duncan's Nazgul and Sentient on, and I equipped them with a push pull, split coil option. Awesome.

  • @suelarkin8982
    @suelarkin8982 3 роки тому +4

    Good day Darrell, I just found your site at the best time. I’m getting back in the game and would like something that I want to play all the time ! Your channel is great, love it. You do such an enjoyable explanation of things. Fan from Ontario. Looking forward to new videos. Take care

  • @aaronsams350
    @aaronsams350 3 роки тому +90

    Great stuff as always. My first (and only) electric guitar is an HSS Yamaha Pacifica. It was recommended to me by one of the guys at my local used guitar shop, and I haven't regretted it one bit.

    • @DarrellBraunGuitar
      @DarrellBraunGuitar  3 роки тому +15

      👍 Those are great guitars!

    • @denismguitar1552
      @denismguitar1552 3 роки тому +3

      I have had one of those for 10 years. Great value!

    • @peepeepoopooman-qs3jq
      @peepeepoopooman-qs3jq 2 роки тому +1

      Lol thats good, one of the dudes tried to convince me to buy a 500 dollar guitar and a 100 dollar amp. It was sam ash

    • @musenw8834
      @musenw8834 2 роки тому +1

      Oh yes, HSS strat styles do cover a lot of ground (4 single and 1 humbucker without coil tap) next to the HH w coil taps (PRS, 3 humbucker 3 single) with pickup blends

    • @fuzzypanda1684
      @fuzzypanda1684 2 роки тому +3

      I was going between a Pacifica and the new Squier affinity HSS strats, I went with the Squier after seeing they made some good upgrades for the new models, plus the flame maple top looks amazing.

  • @BJ-fj6jw
    @BJ-fj6jw Рік тому +1

    Darrell you and a hefty handful of other brilliant stars on youtube shine light upon the guitar, saving us all time, money, and pitfalls.

  • @souvikdawn4927
    @souvikdawn4927 3 роки тому

    Thanks a lot for uploading this kind of video, people are often confused about what kind of pickup they choose.. so this video will clarify their thoughts..

  • @timlaughlin4003
    @timlaughlin4003 3 роки тому +13

    I honestly wish someone would have told me this when I was starting 20 years ago. Great content!

  • @zombear8822
    @zombear8822 3 роки тому +64

    Not gonna lie, P90s are super nice in the right mix. As a first guitar its either gonna be HH, SSS or HSS.

    • @jimmyparris9892
      @jimmyparris9892 3 роки тому +22

      P90s don't get the credit they deserve.

    • @mikkywhalan
      @mikkywhalan 3 роки тому +6

      @@jimmyparris9892 they were used for the solo on another brick in the wall and a couple of other songs from the wall on David Gilmour’s gold top Les Paul.

    • @j.a.s.1416
      @j.a.s.1416 3 роки тому +6

      P90's are the best pick-ups ever invented. 🎸

    • @airgliderz
      @airgliderz 3 роки тому +2

      My first guitar was a custom shop fender strat, my wife worked at Fender at the time, SSH then modified it to hsh, the put Fishman noisless awesome pickups to pickups sss. Now building a LP knock off, but modding the body, and neck so it is far more comfortable to play with hh pickups...

    • @rishz7857
      @rishz7857 3 роки тому +1

      In 1985, my Yamaha SE had single Humbucker only. Still play it today.

  • @will-landiss
    @will-landiss 3 роки тому

    THANK YOU!!! Been looking for a good beginners pick up guide forever now!!!

  • @wafaken
    @wafaken 2 роки тому

    As a newbie, this really help me differentiate pickups. Thank you!

  • @Metalbass10000
    @Metalbass10000 3 роки тому +60

    I prefer, strongly, especially for beginners, an H - S - H pickup layout. This gives you the crunching humbucker in the bridge position the warm, sweet, and full humbucker in the neck position, as well as a single coil in a great position to use by itself as a single coil or use in combination in phase and out of phase with either humbucker, each one having a different, but very useful, tone. In 3 pickup Gibson type pickup layouts a Humbucker - P90 - Humbucker set is very much my preference. Just as good of a collection of tones, if not even better.

    • @cancersevero
      @cancersevero Рік тому

      im looking for an hsh layout, but as a beginner i dont know the differences of each selection in the pickup selector, and for what I may use each one, like which for solos, which for metal, blues, etc. Can you give me a quick explanation of that? I hope you understand me, I don't speak english :((

    • @waterbottle515
      @waterbottle515 Рік тому

      @@cancersevero did you buy an electric yet?

    • @cancersevero
      @cancersevero Рік тому

      @@waterbottle515 yes, I bought an hsh strat and with the time, I have learned how to use it hehe thanks

    • @waterbottle515
      @waterbottle515 Рік тому

      @@cancersevero oh good to hear man good luck in your journey. As for me I'm soon gonna buy a fender affinity strat and start from there

    • @cancersevero
      @cancersevero Рік тому

      @@waterbottle515 good to hear that, my best wishes man, good luck

  • @tyrssen1
    @tyrssen1 3 роки тому +11

    Agreed, a Strat style is the best way to start out. Later on I also became fond of two P90's.

    • @Crow-jg4sj
      @Crow-jg4sj 24 дні тому

      Dynasonics are sweet too.

  • @MartinCliffe
    @MartinCliffe 3 роки тому +1

    I have a couple of guitars wired HHS (rails pickup in the middle), love the versatility that gives me.

  • @michaelp8856
    @michaelp8856 Рік тому

    thank you for providing guidance - thats what beginners need sometimes to help them decide

  • @tedoakley5600
    @tedoakley5600 3 роки тому +15

    Great video Darrell! I personally prefer a dual humbucker set up because I rarely play clean lol. I current use an SG and a tele (both with humbuckers) through a Marshall JCM800=)

  • @kevinmcguinness1113
    @kevinmcguinness1113 3 роки тому +13

    100% agree - HSS definitely THE best combination for tonal variety and versatility.
    There is so much snake oil BS around pickups - there's only so much difference you can make to how they're made. Whatever you can EQ in during construction, you can EQ out externally, and vice versa. Your tone is far more down to your amp/OD and gain/EQ settings and in the fingers than to individual pickups. With exactly the same setup, I can get a UK£3,500 guitar with stock pickups (dual humbuckers with coil tapping, which cost £300+ to buy as a set separately), a HSS partscaster with £20 chinese pickups and a Fender SSS Roadhouse Strat with N3 noiseless pups and S1 switching to all sound virtually identical on various settings, right from chime-y single coil tone thru to brutal metal and everything in between (OK, maybe not the Roadhouse for brutal metal 😁).
    People seem to be obsessed with changing pups to chase tone when all they really need is have a decent amp, the right OD/distortion pedal(s) for their specific taste, and an EQ pedal.
    It's not that difficult, but the pup manufacturers don't want you knowing that 😁.

  • @jimm8594
    @jimm8594 3 роки тому +2

    Hss is the way to go, with coil split. I love how Darrell is always thinking of interesting subjects for his channel.

  • @runningwithscissors0911
    @runningwithscissors0911 2 роки тому

    Didn't like Strats until I did and have absolutely fallen in LOVE with my 2021 Fender MIM SSS (Tidepool Blue!). Love clean tones and that magnificent strat single coil chime. Can't wait to install the Freeway 10-Way Switch that I also learned about on your channel ~ thanks Darrell!

  • @PagyBio
    @PagyBio 3 роки тому +6

    As usual, great content! Keep rockin', mate!

  • @jessieampo8962
    @jessieampo8962 3 роки тому +3

    I badly needed this one😥😥😥best regards from Philippines🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭

  • @scorpio1710
    @scorpio1710 3 роки тому

    Great explanation. I’m a mid level player but have always played singles. Thanks for the refresh!

  • @acertainsomeone6639
    @acertainsomeone6639 2 місяці тому

    Thank you so much for this! I’ve been playing acoustic for a while now and really wanted to switch up to electric, but for all that enthusiasm I was quite confused with all the new terminology and tech
    This video really cleared up my doubts
    Thank you!

  • @1bhitte
    @1bhitte 3 роки тому +8

    What would be helpful is a primer on the other pickups and how they compare to the standards. Such as filtertrons and p90s, tv jones....

  • @benjaminlechuga7139
    @benjaminlechuga7139 3 роки тому +39

    Would be good a second part of this!! things like Alnico, Noisless, and brands like EMG or Seymour Duncan are things that makes me feel dumb when someone who knows about pickups talk.
    Loved the video man!

    • @jimmyparris9892
      @jimmyparris9892 3 роки тому +2

      Well, you obviously have youtube so, learn about the pickups you just mentioned.

    • @strumbum946
      @strumbum946 3 роки тому +2

      Some sites like Seymour Duncan have “sound samples.” That’s how I figured out that I wanted a SD - JB in the bridge, and a SD - Jazz in the neck of my LP copy guitar. Seymour also stated on his site that that was his favorite Combo for a Les Paul as well. I really like their tone...

    • @JohnSmith-ck9tp
      @JohnSmith-ck9tp 3 роки тому +1

      I think there's a lot of superstition in guitar technology, and unfortunately UA-cam is full of that so I'm not sure how easy it is to get accurate information.
      I am pretty sure that the brand of the pickup doesn't matter that much, you really are just picking the amount of windings and how strong the magnet is.

    • @blazer6248
      @blazer6248 3 роки тому +1

      All that info is already out there. It doesn't take Darrell making a vid for you to be able to learn about it. You need to take the lead and do your own research. Read. Check out the countless resources ALREADY available on all of this.
      Come on dude.

    • @benjaminlechuga7139
      @benjaminlechuga7139 3 роки тому +1

      @@JohnSmith-ck9tp Yeah! that's kind off what I mean. because of that superstiction I really though woods, weigts that made all the difference. but Darrell is great on fighting myths like these.

  • @zedzero77
    @zedzero77 3 роки тому +2

    I agree with darell on HSS. If you are new to electric guitar, I recommend the yamaha pacifica 112 HSS. Easy on the wallet, stays in tune and you can learn what tone works for you.

  • @vikingrus94studio33
    @vikingrus94studio33 3 роки тому

    You inspired me to make my own super strat build on my budget, thnks for being there for all of us. :)

  • @juniorfreitas15
    @juniorfreitas15 3 роки тому +6

    SSS with 10-way switch rule them all!!

  • @3cardmonty602
    @3cardmonty602 3 роки тому +14

    I’d recommend a guitar with P90’s. P90’s are my favorite pickup. I play mainly Blues & Blues-based Rock.

    • @jimmyparris9892
      @jimmyparris9892 3 роки тому +1

      +1 and a noise gate.

    • @j.a.s.1416
      @j.a.s.1416 3 роки тому +1

      P90's on everything..... 🎸

    • @tb1235
      @tb1235 2 роки тому

      Just got rid of my Les Paul Special Tribute after 10 years. Wanted to love it so much but it was never used.. Just couldn't do the P90's personally.

  • @nsp477
    @nsp477 3 роки тому +2

    Two things I would add to what Darrel explains in the video:
    1) If you are a new player buying your first guitar, you may want to stay away from active pickups (Seymour Duncan Blackouts, EMGs, etc.). They are great for high gain styles, but not so adequate for everything else.
    2) While I do agree with most if not all of Darrell's views in the video, you may want to prioritize a guitar that is comfortable to play (well set up, neck is not sticky, body shape lets your picking arm comfortably, etc.) over a guitar with a certain set of pickups.
    If there is a certain tone that you want to achieve, you will be able to do so with most pickups (with active pickups being the exception, hence point 1 above) just by dialing your amp. So I would say guitar choice is a matter of ergonomics, and amp choice is a matter of tone.

  • @stevenvicino8687
    @stevenvicino8687 2 роки тому

    Hi Darrell. You're the one that talked me into building a kit. Bought an Explorer from Solo. Now I want to play around with pick-up combos. Got several H-Hs and one H-S-S. You talking about split-coils made me think that might be fun. First time I've ever done this.

  • @davekennedy2724
    @davekennedy2724 3 роки тому +3

    hey Darrell, how about a pickup 102? p90, filtertron, active vs. passive,sustainiac etc. love your channel, thank for what you do

  • @bolyami1975
    @bolyami1975 3 роки тому +71

    I think the only thing you missed is describing the "noise" of single coils. New players wont know what that means

    • @rottenpotato4399
      @rottenpotato4399 3 роки тому +1

      Painful mistake i have done...

    • @DCT876
      @DCT876 3 роки тому

      Noise?

    • @cjgrasser759
      @cjgrasser759 3 роки тому +14

      When I was in college we had a band that played at our dorms hall. During the sound check, I had to find the correct places that I could stand while playing to avoid the hum and feedback.

    • @EmptyMirrorMindful
      @EmptyMirrorMindful 2 роки тому

      They do make noiseless single coils. They were pretty popular in the 90s. LACE started it in traditional single coil design then Fender's made their own too. I love the G&L Z coils. Leo Fender's final guitar perfection. I don't think they are given the credit they deserve by many.

    • @CityStarrzz
      @CityStarrzz Рік тому

      @@EmptyMirrorMindful they’re in the Clapton Strat.

  • @strumminronin
    @strumminronin 3 роки тому +1

    Hey Darrell, thanks for another great video. With the world being put under Lockdown, what better than to practice guitar or get to know about it better :) Really love your delivery on the subject. If/when you have a chance, would love to see more pick up mod videos. Any chance on another cheap vs expensive test, this time with active pick ups?
    Also, It was you who gave me the final push to try swapping out the speaker on my stock but ageing amp, which gave it a new lease of life, so thank you very much for that. GAS-ing for a speaker certainly opened my eyes! Keep the possitivity coming. Thanks and Peace!

  • @smackofalltrades
    @smackofalltrades 3 роки тому +2

    Great video as always Darrell. A really nice refresher for all of us but an invaluable starting point for new guitarists to share with each other as they start learning.

  • @maddensitorus
    @maddensitorus 3 роки тому +3

    Next we need Pickups 101: P90 & Filtertron. Great video as always!

  • @torresalex
    @torresalex 3 роки тому +19

    I've been playing guitar for 24 years and even I found it helpful, since it sums up stuff I've known but never put into words.
    I'm surprised you only own one HSH. My old HSH Washburn has been my workhorse for 23 years and it truly is versatile, though it doesn't nail those single-coil sounds like my knock-off Strat does.
    You're force for Good in the world, Darrell!

    • @musenw8834
      @musenw8834 2 роки тому

      Do you have coil tap guitars?

    • @torresalex
      @torresalex 2 роки тому

      @@musenw8834 I wish

  • @ZitherBeast
    @ZitherBeast 3 роки тому

    This is a really cool video, especially for beginners. Great playing too, thanks DB.

  • @BrentAdams
    @BrentAdams 3 роки тому

    Very good overview on pickups and the basics on what you might want to look for. I've got another option for you....except I have only seen it on my "parts-caster". I built a double cut T-Style...with the normal vintage type of single coils...and then I added a humbucker in the middle. It's killer!

  • @chrisrush3513
    @chrisrush3513 3 роки тому +30

    I love SSS. Musical tastes really play a part. Death metal guys won’t really want an SSS Stratocaster.

    • @Madchris8828
      @Madchris8828 3 роки тому +4

      Interesting you say that. Jim Root from Slipknot has a stratocaster but is a dual humbucker emg pickup. Says it really cuts through the mix. Makes sense honestly if you like the strat feel but not the way it plays 👍. Slipknot isn't really only one genre of metal though they delve into many.

    • @riddhimannmukherjee5956
      @riddhimannmukherjee5956 3 роки тому +4

      @@Madchris8828 yes I really love that. I was recently seeing Ola Englund's video on Jim Root strat, and I agree with you... A player who has started out with playing Strat style guitars and don't want to switch around too much, can definitely go for it. An HH strat, or an Ibanez is the best for them if they're into high gain. Take me for an instance, I'm more comfortable with playing Strat rather than a Les Paul style. I'm currently using HSS, and also thinking about trying out an HH with coil split maybe.

    • @Madchris8828
      @Madchris8828 3 роки тому +2

      @@riddhimannmukherjee5956 Les Paul's aren't really my style. I like lightish guitars, I'm fairly sure if I picked up a Les Paul to play I'd not be fond of the lack of cutouts too. I enjoy playing high up on the fretboard when I can, that would make it tough.

    • @shanewalton8888
      @shanewalton8888 3 роки тому +2

      I've almost always played Humbuckers, but these days I am digging the SSS bluesy sound.

    • @mikeomatic9905
      @mikeomatic9905 3 роки тому +1

      Barronesse rock pretty damn hard with regular old telecasters. Definitely recommend checking them out!

  • @terrypunkrailroad3649
    @terrypunkrailroad3649 3 роки тому +7

    If you are overwhelmed for choosing pickups, I would recommend to just buy HSS's guitar and start practicing as soon as possible.
    By playing some while, you can find out what you really need.

    • @dezireegomez2769
      @dezireegomez2769 2 роки тому

      what hss’s guitar would you recommend?

    • @mehigh4544
      @mehigh4544 Рік тому

      I started with a H-S-S, then I picked a H-S for metal related genres and S-S-S for blues

    • @mehigh4544
      @mehigh4544 Рік тому

      ​@@dezireegomez2769 My first one was an Ibanez GRG140. It's amazing and super cheap

  • @jimbaritone6429
    @jimbaritone6429 3 роки тому +1

    Darrell: My vote, having had most of these, is a Schecter H-H Strat. It's just a great all around instrument, and their build quality is superb. (I think you reviewed their latest offering not too long ago). If you can find an older one with the right coil-split humbucker pickups, also a really nice instrument. Mine came with a single push-pull pot that split the bridge, although the neck pickup had the wiring to allow coil-splitting. I actually prefer the mini-toggle switches for fingerstyle playing - just personal preference. I play clean or with non-distorted compression much of the time, and this setup has become one of my two "go-to" guitars - the first that I reach for. A "buyer beware" if looking at aftermarket humbuckers - some makers wind splittable hummers with unequal coils, eg. 6-8K on one side, 12-14K on the other. Unless you've read the fine print, this may only become apparent after installation, lol.

  • @CarlandGrace
    @CarlandGrace Рік тому

    This was very helpful. I’m new to playing and I’m lending on a Martin road series acoustic. I saw a late model epiphany LP in bourbon burst a guy had our Gibson alnico 5 pickups in and had a pro go through and soldier all the wiring to make it more reliable.
    I may never play it much I don’t really know as my journey in guitar is new but I sure do love the look and sound of it.
    I don’t play much rock or need much gain but one day if I’m good enough I may venture out.
    I got it mostly due to the price being very low and the mods made it a extremely good value to pickup.
    Thanks for sharing

  • @butterflysrage
    @butterflysrage 2 роки тому +9

    Hey Darrell, Ioving your beginner videos :) One thing I would love to see you discuss is "how to spot a good starter guitar". Lots, and LOTS, of videos recommend specific brands or models of beginner guitars, but what if your local music shop doesn't carry them? How can a newbie spot a good side-grade from a different maker and make sure they aren't being sold a lemon? Someone with little to no guitar experience can't really just pick it up and try it out to see what sounds good...

    • @musadiqgilal5038
      @musadiqgilal5038 Рік тому

      Did you find the answer to this yet?

    • @butterflysrage
      @butterflysrage Рік тому

      @@musadiqgilal5038 kinda (in that I already bought a guitar), but it could still be a good idea for a video :)

  • @Deepascent
    @Deepascent 2 роки тому +3

    Is there any advantage to something like a Brian May setup where you can phase in and out pickups, or have any combination of them on (bridge, neck, or ALL)?

  • @TheOneTrueAJ
    @TheOneTrueAJ 2 роки тому

    Thanks for the elaborate explanation! I decided to go with Pearl drums!

  • @create_space812
    @create_space812 2 роки тому

    crystal clear info with many useful tips. thank you for this great video!

  • @DJBuglip
    @DJBuglip 3 роки тому +4

    That was a good 101, for really new players, Darrell. Good video. Would like to see one that explores more variants, though, there are so many types of pickups beneath those really broad umbrellas, there - P90s, Filtertrons, DeArmonds, PAF vs High-gain, hot rails, Texas Thunders, on and on and on. How about a part deux where you really get into the specifics?

    • @DJBuglip
      @DJBuglip 3 роки тому

      I can rattle off a couple dozen bluesmen who played Gibsons and would dispute that.

  • @ArthronOfFir3
    @ArthronOfFir3 3 роки тому +44

    And someone forgot the the H H H setup

  • @sdnidg
    @sdnidg 6 місяців тому

    Easy language and you explained it all. Now, I know, I should go for HSS. Thanks and keep it up.

  • @48Jigglet
    @48Jigglet 2 роки тому

    Been trying to find a video like this all day, you got my sub man thank you so much!

  • @Eth_C
    @Eth_C 3 роки тому +22

    What about shs like the Wayne Kramer strat? He used the single coils for rhythm and the humbucker for leads

    • @Jydmd
      @Jydmd 3 роки тому +4

      Wow I've never seen this before, that's pretty interesting.

    • @matthewguarna2975
      @matthewguarna2975 3 роки тому +3

      I tried to mod a strat like that... Don't dothat, is dead stupid. The middle humbucker lacks presence and basically you're gonna hate it and never use it

    • @ferox965
      @ferox965 2 роки тому

      @@matthewguarna2975 Or, try it and he may like it.

  • @SomeGuy-oq2fl
    @SomeGuy-oq2fl 3 роки тому +3

    You da man Darrell!

  • @bonfernando4889
    @bonfernando4889 3 роки тому

    Nice! This video will help people who want to know what each pickup sounds like.

  • @BombShot
    @BombShot 2 роки тому

    I'm currently learning all I can cause I plan on building a guitar, I really appreciate how fast and clear this video is, I already have a triple coil, so I think I'm gonna build mine to be hss,

  • @Swapnil_0097
    @Swapnil_0097 3 роки тому +6

    Few days back I bought yamaha pacifica 112J HSS.. I think I’ve made a good decision looking at this video..

    • @thejkyle
      @thejkyle 3 роки тому +1

      Nice! I just bought a 1988 Ibanez 540S, three toggles and lots of tone options.

  • @stratcat688
    @stratcat688 3 роки тому +3

    Nice strats. Middle pickup ignored as everyone does. No respect! Haha. I’ve been giving my middle pickup more love lately. Just a little cuz it’s there.

  • @TheLivirus
    @TheLivirus Рік тому

    Great guide! I was looking for info just like this.

  • @railfankasey
    @railfankasey 3 роки тому

    I have an epiphone ebony explorer tuned to Drop B to drop A depending on what I feel like. I recently put a Seymour Duncan Invader SH8. Now it's a metal machine! Also put a dimarzio tone zone in my epiphone les paul traditional pro 2 for the bridge. I play punk rock on that one. I made the right choices for sure. Love the video!

  • @ipuya
    @ipuya 3 роки тому +3

    No mention of my favorite pickup, the P90? 😱

  • @goldenultra
    @goldenultra 2 роки тому +5

    I do not recommend HSH for beginners, as the different changes in pick up position are drastic, you can.. Not.. just change pick positions. You also have to alter controls on the amp and pedals, if you use amplitube 5 you save the preset name and position of the Pick up. But then again it is like switching guitar rather than changing guitar settings when you change pick up position, also the tone and volume is more difficult to use on a HSH.

  • @jmangi6221
    @jmangi6221 3 роки тому

    Darrell, you da man! You can always help us players out by putting your knowledge into your videos. Thank you brother. You always make my day, and you are still my favorite channel hands down. Keep up the good work brother, we need you. Oh and one final thought, can I have your honeyburst sss strat? That thing is drop dead gorgeous.😉

  • @farkenfigjam8732
    @farkenfigjam8732 3 роки тому +2

    This is a great video and is great for those who don't know what pickups they want. When I bought my Ibanez GRX70 2nyears ago my main focuses were versitility and price. I knew wanted a HSH with a tremolo under $500aud and the GRX70 was perfect for what I wanted. I don't regret buying it at all. Since I bought it I put some gotoh 16:1 locking tuners on it for easier string changes and better tuning stability when using the whammy bar. I'm thinking of putting some dimarzio pickups in it when I have the money aswell.
    I'm also looking at getting an Ibanez GSR205B Bass just because of the price and how versatile it is. 5 strings and multiple tone combinations. The stats are what I want but I still need to find one and try it out to see if it's for me.

  • @TheSunMoon
    @TheSunMoon 3 роки тому +3

    What if you get H-H-H? Legend has it, Motorhead - The Game theme song will play, with a spray of water.

    • @iridios6127
      @iridios6127 3 роки тому

      You wrong about magnet.
      Iron rod could be magnetized almost from anything.

  • @vikingrus94studio33
    @vikingrus94studio33 3 роки тому +3

    U forgot SH or SS

    • @DarrellBraunGuitar
      @DarrellBraunGuitar  3 роки тому +1

      Love me SH on a Tele, but not something most beginners would pick :)

    • @vikingrus94studio33
      @vikingrus94studio33 3 роки тому

      Btw nice tremolo system on the bright blue squire, its killer!

  • @sattamanderx4679
    @sattamanderx4679 3 роки тому +2

    A journey worth taking! I want to thank you for starting me out on that journey. After watching your videos for a month or so I thought this is doable and started. Guess I was fortunate that my first guitar was a Yamaha with an HSS configuration. Thanks again bro!

  • @stansmwater6248
    @stansmwater6248 Рік тому

    I bought my first guitar and I cbose the HSS one, Squier. Thank you so much for this review, sir!

  • @futur_sunds
    @futur_sunds 2 роки тому

    Everything in this video was presented perfectly. Thank you!

  • @jeffleecust
    @jeffleecust 3 роки тому

    I know this may be getting too technical for this type of video but I also have fell in love with single coil sized humbuckers with 330k splittable pots. I’d even be fine with a SSS setup like this, it’s like the best, most versatile setup I’ve ever had.

  • @kingtrashmouth7265
    @kingtrashmouth7265 3 роки тому

    I have an sg with two humbuckers and a single coil in the neck, and I love it.

  • @chrishogarty427
    @chrishogarty427 Рік тому

    this was actually very informative man, iv been playing about a year now and finally have some extra funds to actually put into my sound lol

  • @worldeconomicforum7210
    @worldeconomicforum7210 2 роки тому

    I was never going to buy a strat...but now I might buy one. Thanx. That white d'Angelo guitar was badass

  • @samsschool3639
    @samsschool3639 Рік тому

    Dude thank you so much for bringing the clarity

  • @Sadtiric
    @Sadtiric 3 роки тому

    I love this idea and execution! Great work!

  • @TazerTaysen
    @TazerTaysen 2 роки тому

    I got a Washburn with High Gain humbuckers for my first, I’ve learned 1 riff so far as I’m absolutely loving it