The pickup selector switch on an electric guitar plays a critical role in shaping the instrument’s tone. It allows the guitarist to choose which pickups are active at any given time, significantly influencing the sound that is produced. In the following article, we’re going to take a deeper look into how the pickup selector is integral to shaping the tone of your guitar, explain its evolution, and provide some troubleshooting tips if you notice problems occurring.
What is a Pickup Selector?
For those unaware, a pickup selector is typically a small, lever-like switch mounted on the body of an electric guitar, often found near the lower bout where it is easily accessible to the guitarist’s picking hand. Its appearance can vary, from a straightforward toggle switch to a rotary knob or blade switch, particularly on models with three or more pickups.
The Role Of The Pickup Selector In Tone Shaping
The pickup selector switch is a key component in sculpting the instrument’s sound. By allowing the guitarist to choose which pickups are active, the selector gives the player control over the tonal character and dynamic response of the instrument. The tone can vary significantly depending on which pickups are selected, and their location on the guitar.
How Does Pickup Location Affect Tone? The location of a pickup affects its tone by dictating how it captures the vibrations of the strings. For example, neck pickups register more of the string's fundamental vibrations, producing a warmer, bass-heavy sound. Bridge pickups pick up more of the higher harmonics due to the reduced amplitude of string vibrations, yielding a brighter, more treble-centric tone. Middle pickups, positioned between the neck and bridge, offer a balanced tone that mixes qualities of both, often used to add fullness to the guitar’s overall sound.
The design of the pickup selector is closely tied to the number and arrangement of pickups on the guitar. A 3-way switch, often found on guitars with dual pickups like the ®Gibson Les Paul, lets the player select either of the two pickups independently or both simultaneously for a fuller sound.
The classic ®Fender Stratocaster, utilizing three pickups, typically uses a 5-way switch. This allows for the selection of each pickup individually as well as the “in-between” positions that activate the bridge and middle or the middle and neck pickups together. These combinations provide additional tonal nuances that are particularly useful in genres where articulation and variability are key, like funk, blues, and rock.
In essence, the pickup selector transcends its mechanical function by becoming a creative tool. The choice of different pickups and their combinations allows the guitarist to shape their tone for different musical contexts and explore a vast array of sounds from a single instrument.
Historical Development And The Pickup Selectors Impact On Guitar Design
The earliest electric guitars of the 1930s and 1940s featured just one solitary pickup, so there was no need for a selector. This is also why you never see a pickup selector on a guitar such as a single pickup ®Les Paul Junior. At that time, the focus was on amplifying the guitar’s sound to compete with other, louder instruments, not on shaping it with multiple tonal options.
The pickup selector’s inception traces back to the advent of multiple-pickup electric guitars in the 1950s. Initially, simple toggle switches were used, like those on the ®Gibson Les Paul, allowing players to switch between pickups.
However, with Fender’s introduction of the ®Stratocaster, which featured three pickups, a more versatile 3-way blade switch was employed. This switch allowed guitarists to select individual pickups, but it wasn’t until players began to exploit the Stratocaster’s ‘in-between’ positions, which activated two pickups simultaneously, that Fender officially incorporated a 5-way switch (see the table below) to facilitate these popular sounds.
| Switch Position | Pickups Engaged |
|---|---|
| Position 1 | Bridge pickup only |
| Position 2 | Bridge and middle pickups (in parallel) |
| Position 3 | Middle pickup only |
| Position 4 | Middle and neck pickups (in parallel) |
| Position 5 | Neck pickup only |
This evolution of the pickup selector transformed electric guitar design.
Guitars now needed to accommodate the selector both physically and circuit-wise, leading to more complex designs. The continuous innovation in pickup technology and the subsequent complexity of selectors, like push-pull pots and advanced switching systems, reflect the pickup selector’s fundamental impact and how it has revolutionized the electric guitar, turning it into a more versatile tool for musical expression.
What is A Push-Pull Pot? A push-pull potentiometer is a component that combines a conventional knob control with a built-in switch mechanism. By pulling up on the knob, the guitarist can access alternate wiring options such as coil-splitting (deactivating one coil of a humbucking pickup) or phase switching, expanding the instrument’s tonal possibilities. This allows for complex sound customization while preserving the guitar's aesthetic by minimizing additional switches on the body.
How Pickup Selectors Work
At its core, a pickup selector is an electrical switch that routes the guitar’s signal from the pickups to the input jack. When you select a switch position, it either closes or opens circuits within the guitar’s wiring.
In a closed position, the circuit is complete, and the signal can pass from the selected pickup to the amplifier. Alternatively, an open circuit disconnects the signal flow. This mechanical action is facilitated by the pickup selector which manipulates contacts inside the switch, determining which pickup(s) are active.
Signal Routing in Multi-Pickup Guitars
The signal routing facilitated by a pickup selector switch is fundamental to an electric guitar’s versatility. Each pickup in a guitar’s array is strategically positioned to capture the string vibrations in a distinct magnetic field. The pickup selector exploits this by enabling the guitarist to activate pickups either in isolation or in combination, creating a wider palette of tonality to explore.
When a selector switch activates a single pickup, the resulting sound reflects the unique properties of that pickup’s position and construction, be it the depth and fullness of a neck pickup or the brightness and bite of a bridge pickup. Engaging multiple pickups simultaneously, typically wired in parallel, blends their individual tonalities and harmonic nuances.
This parallel configuration maintains a clear, articulated sound as it combines the outputs, ensuring no single pickup overpowers the others. This contrasts with series wiring, which can also be an option in some custom setups, where the signal passes through one pickup into the next, resulting in a louder and more powerful tone.
The beauty of this system lies in its simplicity and efficiency. For example, with a flick of the switch, a guitarist can shift from a pensive, mellow passage to a piercing solo, expanding the expressive capabilities of the instrument. The precise engineering behind the pickup selector is integral to modern guitar playing.
Effectively Using Your Pickup Selector
Tone is undoubtedly subjective, but there are selector switch settings favored for specific genres, below is a table showing some of these.
| Genre | Selector Switch Settings | Tips for Experimenting |
|---|---|---|
| Rock | Bridge pickup for lead tones; middle or neck for rhythm. | Experiment with the bridge and middle pickups together for a crunch rhythm tone with bite. |
| Blues | Neck pickup for a warm, expressive tone; middle for a twangy snap. | Blend the neck and middle pickups for a smooth, expressive tone with a slight edge. |
| Jazz | Neck pickup with tone rolled down for a smooth, mellow sound. | Use the neck pickup with a slight increase in tone for clarity on chord melodies. |
| Metal | Bridge pickup for high-gain and tight distortion; neck for solos with sustain. | Combine the bridge and neck pickups for a thick, harmonically rich rhythm tone. |
| Country | Bridge for twangy leads; middle for bright rhythms. | Middle pickup for a balanced tone that cuts through a mix without being too sharp. |
| Funk | Middle or in-between selector positions for a snappy, rhythmic tone. | Use in-between positions for a quacky, percussive tone ideal for funky rhythms. |
Keep in mind, when experimenting with pickup combinations, it’s important to consider the impact of volume and tone settings, as well as the effect of playing dynamics. A pickup may sound dramatically different with a change in playing style or when different guitar tone and/or volume settings are being used.
Modifications and Upgrades
Among the most popular modifications available is the addition of high-performance switches, such as super switches, which offer an extended range of wiring configurations not possible with standard selectors. This can give guitarists access to series and parallel wiring, out-of-phase tones, and coil-tapping or splitting, all from the same switch.
For those seeking even more personalized options, installing upgraded electronics like push-pull pots or customized wiring harnesses can further revolutionize the guitar’s sound. These modifications not only allow for quick tone changes on the fly but can also enhance the instrument’s overall signal clarity and responsiveness.
Common issues with pickup selectors
While they may have revolutionized electric guitar design, pickup selectors are not immune to wear and tear, and common issues like crackling, intermittent signal loss, or complete signal failure, while not common, can arise. These problems are almost always due to dirty or oxidized contacts, or occasionally mechanical wear.
Cleaning the contacts with contact cleaner and ensuring a tight connection can usually restore optimal performance. For persistent issues, it’s essential to inspect the solder joints and the physical condition of the switch for any damage. If these basic fixes don’t resolve the issues—or if you’re uncomfortable disassembling your guitar—it’s wise to seek out a skilled technician who diagnoses and repairs complex problems or can recommend and install a replacement switch.
Final Thoughts
From a simple toggle on early instruments to sophisticated multi-way switches and push-pull pots, pickup selectors have not only multiplied the tonal possibilities for guitarists but also contributed to the guitar’s adaptability across genres and playing styles.
They’ve spurred innovations in guitar design and encouraged the growth of guitar modifications. Whether you’re a seasoned player seeking to refine your sound or a beginner aiming to understand your instrument better, the pickup selector is your gateway to discovering the full expressive potential of your guitar.
