What do the coils in back of an electric guitar do?

The coils on the back of an electric guitar are called pickups. Pickups convert the vibrations of the strings into electrical signals that can be amplified and shaped into sound. The different types of pickups have different sounds, and guitarists often use different pickups for different genres of music.

There are two main types of pickups: single-coil and humbucker. Single-coil pickups have a single coil of wire, while humbucker pickups have two coils that are wired together in opposite phase. This cancels out the hum that is produced by single-coil pickups, but it also results in a slightly different sound.

Single-coil pickups are known for their bright and twangy sound, while humbucker pickups are known for their warmer and fatter sound. Single-coil pickups are often used in country and blues music, while humbucker pickups are often used in rock and heavy metal music.

The position of the pickups on the guitar also affects the sound. Pickups that are closer to the bridge produce a brighter sound, while pickups that are closer to the neck produce a warmer sound.

The type and position of the pickups are just two of the many factors that affect the sound of an electric guitar. By experimenting with different pickups, guitarists can find the perfect sound for their own music.