The Pickup (pɪ́kə̀p) is a device that magnetically amplifies the vibrations created when the strings are plucked or strummed. An electric current flows through the metal receivers of the pickups to accurately relay the vibrating movements to the guitar’s amplifier. While pickups are a mandatory feature for all electric guitars, some acoustic guitars have pickups as well. Acoustic guitars with pickups are usually called acoustic-electric guitars.

There are various styles of pickups, but the main styles are humbuckers, single coil and double coils. Different pickup styles have different sounds. For example, the humbucker style of pickup is often used by rock guitarists because of its full tone. The double coils have a biting sound to them, and they are often used by blues and jazz guitarists. Some guitar players customize their guitar to incorporate both humbucker pickups and double or single coil pickups. This allows for great versatility in guitar playing. The different pickups can be toggled by the switch that is usually located close to the volume knob.