Electric Guitar Buying Guide

How Pickups Create Your Sound

You've probably heard a lot about pickups in your search for an Electric Guitar, but what exactly are they? Basically, a pickup is a magnet core wrapped with hundreds and thousands of strands of thin copper wire. When an electric signal is applied to these coils, it creates a magnetic field. When the strings are strummed, it disrupts and disturbs the magnetic field, generating an electrical signal that is sent to the amplifier and outputs as sound. That might sound complicated and fancy, but basically pickups take the strumming of the strings to the amp, creating the sound we all know and love.

Types of Pickups

There are a variety of pickups that riff off each other and use different methods to achieve the desired sound, but there are really just three you need to know about to start off with.

1. Single-coil Pickups - The first types of pickups ever made, Single-coil Pickups are made from one magnet wrapped in wire and are known for producing a bright, clear tone. They have a crisp, desirable sound, but can sometimes pick up background noise called a "hum."
2. Humbucker Pickups - To counter the hum of Single-coil Pickups, Humbuckers use two Single-coil Pickups, coiled together, to "buck the hum", or cancel out the noise. They are known for having a thicker, warmer sound and have significantly less susceptibility to electrical interference like their Single-coil counterparts.
3. P-90 Pickups - Somewhere in between Single-coil and Humbucker pickups are P-90s. They are brighter than Humbuckers, but have more body than Single-coils.

There are three standard locations where a pickup will be on an Electric Guitar. Nearest to the neck is the Neck Pickup, and closest to the butt of the guitar is the Bridge Pickup, and in between is the Middle Pickup. The placement of these pickups drastically affects the sound, as the strings vibrate differently depending on how close they are to the bridge.

1. Neck Pickup - The Neck Pickup gives a warmer and mellower tone, blending the sounds and tone together.
2. Middle Pickup - The Middle Pickup blends the Neck and Bridge sounds.
3. Bridge Pickup - The Bridge Pickup offers a sharper, brighter sound than the other two, with a clear distinction between the notes.

Pickups can be changed and customized based on your preference, as well! Many people will buy a cheaper guitar and switch out the lower-cost pickups with their personal favorites for a sound that suites them better. If you're looking to experiment, definitely browse our selection of pickups!

So how do you choose the right pickups for you? Play some guitars! If you're just learning, though, decide on what kind of sound you are going for. If you are hoping for a traditional, bright rock sound, consider Single-coil! If you're looking for a thick, warm, customizable sound, go with Humbuckers. If you want both, many manufacturers offer 'HSS' guitars, designating what pickups the guitar has. In this case, "Humbucker, Single-coil, Single-coil."

Electric Guitar Necks

The last specific consideration you'll need to make is the Neck of the Electric Guitar. There are a few things to talk about when it comes to Necks.

Types of Neck Construction

There are three types of Neck Construction, and they all have implications for playability, tone, and the durability of the Instrument.

• Bolt-on Necks - In a bolt-on Neck Electric Guitar, the Neck is attached to the body with bolts or screws. These necks are the easiest to replace or repair and this design typically gives good sustain with a punchy tone.
• Set Necks - Set Necks are glued into the body and are typically found on higher-end Guitars. They offer extremely good sustain and resonance compared to bolt-on Necks.
• Neck-through Bodies - These Guitars are constructed from a single piece of wood that runs from the headstock to the bottom Strap Button. This design provides the best sustain and stability, but makes repairs difficult and replacement impossible.

Neck Woods

As we discussed above, tonewood is very important to picking your Electric Guitar. The Neck of your Guitar is also a tonewood, but less so than the body. Still, you want a hard, dry wood that is resistant to warping to avoid messy repairs in the future. Maple, Mahogany, and Rosewood are all very common materials for Necks.

Neck Shapes/Profiles

This is the shape or curve of the back of the neck, where the palm of your hand sits. Common profiles include "C", "U", "V", and "D", all in reference to how sharp or smooth the curve of the neck is. The Neck Profile will significantly affect the playability and comfort of the Instrument, so make sure you know what profile you like best before you buy.

Neck Radius

On the other side, the Neck Radius refers to the curve of the fretboard. A smaller radius means the fretboard is more curved, while a larger radius means the fretboard is flatter. A smaller radius is typically preferred for chord play, while a larger radius is preferred for soloing and string bending.

Scale Length

The scale length is the distance between the nut at the Headstock and the Bridge of the Electric Guitar. Longer scale lengths means more tension on the strings, providing a brighter tone and increased sustain, while shorter scales offer easier playability.

Frets

Frets have their own size as well. Larger frets (sometimes called "Jumbo") are typically easier for bending notes while smaller frets are often preferred for chord playing.

Truss Rod

The steel rod inside the neck is called the Truss Rod. It counteracts the tension of the strings as they try to pull the Neck forward by giving the it a solid support to bend it back and help keep the Neck straight. It can be adjusted using a hex tool to help set up the guitar's 'action', meaning how far off the fretboard the strings are, and ensure optimal playability.

When choosing a neck, material and hardware matters much less than your personal comfort and playability. The most critical factor is that you like the neck, whatever the profile or finish of it is.

What You Should Look For In An Electric Guitar

When it comes to picking an Electric Guitar, the most important thing is that you enjoy looking at and playing the Electric Guitar you buy. Above all else, make sure you love your Instrument. That being said, let's review a few key points from the article about what you should look for in an Electric guitar.

Know Your Needs and Preferences

Understanding how you will play and use your Instrument and what you like about certain components is the most important part of choosing an Electric Guitar. Depending on if you will use your guitar for live performance, recording, practice at home, or fun with friends will dramatically change what guitar you will prefer. Take some time, even if you can't play yet, to go to your local music retailer and hold some Electric Guitars to figure out your base preferences. If you can, play a little bit to get an idea of what sound you enjoy listening to and what fits your style. The better you understand your own needs and preferences, the easier it will be to find your perfect guitar.

Structure and Components

Once you know your preferences, you can start picking out things like your tonewood, pickup configuration, neck type and profile, and body type. Make sure to review this article as you look and don't be afraid to ask a musician or music store employee any questions! If you're unsure, you can always call us at 844.798.0529 and we will be thrilled to help out!

Price

Consideration of your budget is crucial to choosing the right Instrument. Gone are the days where you had to spend two paychecks worth of your money to get something playable, you can find amazing guitars at every single price point. Higher-priced guitars often come with higher-quality components and the confidence that an expert has reviewed your Instrument, but there are plenty of affordable options that offer excellent value.

Try Before You Buy

We can't stress enough that you want to hold the guitar you are looking at before you buy it, or at least something similar. Our worst fear is that you do all this research and purchase an Instrument from us only to discover the Neck Profile is uncomfortable or you don't like the sound of the pickups. If possible, always try before you buy. We are beating a dead horse at this point, but you can always give us a call or send us an email at info@boothemusic.com and we can send you a video playing the guitar you're looking at so you can get a sense of the sound and look!

Think About The Future

Finally, think about the future. If you're a beginner guitarist looking at their first Electric Guitar purchase, consider a guitar that will grow with you as your skills progress. That sometimes means spending a bit more up front, but saving money in the long run by not needing to upgrade once you outgrow a lower-cost Instrument. 

Above all else, the perfect guitar for you is the one you love and are excited to play. At the end of it, if the guitar inspires you to make music and create art, that's the perfect guitar for you. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to buying an Electric Guitar, but we hope this is a good introduction to what you should look for.