Before the humbucker, before active electronics, before any of the boutique winding methods players argue about online, there was a coil of wire wrapped around a magnet. That simple design is still one of the most widely used pickup formats in the world. In this episode of Pickups Demystified, PG contributor @TomButwin traces single coils to their origins in the early 1930s and works through four formats that define the category today.
Psychedelic Strat
For those of us who aren’t able to own a late ‘60s Stratocaster, installing a set of our Psychedelic Strat pickups is the next best thing! These vintage voiced pickups have the signature psychedelic and paisley underground sound found in all of our favorite feedback and wah drenched extended solos.
Using traditional materials and period accurate wind, these Alnico 5 loaded pickups deliver unique depth and fullness to your sound. On the clean side, they deliver the desired scooped and glassy tones, and when you stomp on a fuzz, you’ll get tight and defined clarity in all positions.
Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Tele
Power up your Telecaster with the upper midrange growl and drive of the Quarter Pound for Tele pickups. The Quarter Pound for Tele Rhythm’s custom overwound coil provides a powerful midrange that cuts through any mix without sounding bright or brash. This makes it a rhythm beast with huge sounding chords, and full, fat lead tones.
The Quarter Pound Tele Lead is our highest output Tele single coil. Its special high output coil, with hand polished ¼” diameter alnico 5 rod magnets, deliver a huge sound with an almost P90-like growl. Leads will jump out and sound fatter than ever, while chords will be rich with sparkly midrange harmonics. The perfect choice for Tele players who demand to be heard.
Both pickups are available in an optional tapped variation as well, allowing you to tap into both vintage and high output tonalities with a single Tele set. The Quarter Pound high output Tele pickups are hand built in Santa Barbara, CA using hand polished ¼” diameter alnico 5 rod magnets, and Forbon flatwork along with a traditional deep drawn chrome plated Telecaster cover for the neck. Wax potted for squeal free performance.
Angeltone 50 Tele Set
In 1950 Leo Fender created the first commercially successful solid body Spanish guitar... the Broadcaster.
The Broadcaster's innovations and powerful, gutsy sound became iconic in early country and roots music,
with one exception - the 'take-off lead tone'. The Broadcaster's lead pickup was originally designed to be
more powerful than the rhythm pickup, giving the lead pickup an effect similar to a steel guitar's volume swell
or that of a jet airplane taking off.
Player feedback caused Fender to redesign the now Telecaster's pickups
for equal volume when played together in 1952, but the sound wasn't the same.
Fast forward to 2025.
Angeltone brings you the limited edition 50BX set.. a matched pair of pickups custom designed to bring modern
Telecaster players the iconic sound of a great Broadcaster with equal volume in all pickup switch positions!
Mojotone Rene Martinez Pre-Wired Strat Pickguard
Mojotone is excited and honored to have worked with such a renowned luthier to develop our Rene Martinez "Texas" Strat® Pickups. These were developed to emulate that specific and unique "Texas Tone" which was inspired by the one and only SRV.
Greg Koch Gristle-Tone Signature Series Single Width 3-Pickup Set
Greg Koch channels the influence of legendary players like Hendrix, Vaughan, and Beck, blending blues, funk, and R&B with his own unique twist of grunge and grit. His signature “Gristle” tone is all about high energy, versatility, and a little bit of dirty fun—perfect for players who want a dynamic sound with character. With these pickups, you get that unmistakable blend of classic warmth and raw power, designed to fuel your playing with every note.
Vintage Jazzmaster® Silencer
The Vintage Jazzmaster® Silencer is a noiseless pickup that retains the bright, punchy neck tone and tight, snappy bridge sound that defines the Jazzmaster®. Clean or overdriven, the Vintage Jazzmaster® Silencer’s vintage-voiced tone is perfect for shimmering indie textures, surf-inspired riffs, and modern pedal-driven explorations. No more hum holding you back—just the pure, classic Jazzmaster® tone you love.
