A magnetic pickup assembly for a stringed instrument comprises a base plate and four ferrous rails or polepiece arrays, three magnets arranged between the four rails/poles, and four pickup coils. Two sets of two rails/poles are disposed on the base plate and include an inner set and an outer set. Each rail/polepiece array has a coincident coil. The three permanent magnets are specifically provisioned and attached to the base plate. The two humbucking outputs of the pickup are connected externally in a series configuration. A passive RC network is connected to the two coil pairs in series. By provision of component values of the RC network, output frequency response to string vibrations may be controlled over a wide range. The complete design provides a variable frequency-selective string aperture feature which assists in obtaining pleasing tonality over the range of adjustment. Alternate embodiments may use active electronic circuitry.

A system and a kit can be used for onboard, real-time blending for electronic pickups to produce various tonal combinations. In one example, at least one of the electronic pickups has dual coils. The dual coil pickup can be electrically connected to a switching circuit positioned on a stringed instrument. The switching circuit can be adjustable in real-time to select between at least two conditions for a signal of the dual coil pickup. In one instance, the conditions can select north coil only, series wiring of the dual coils, or south coil only. Alternatively, the conditions can select series wiring or parallel wiring of the dual coils. Each of the electronic pickups is electrically connected to a taper circuit positioned on the instrument. Each taper circuit is adjustable in real-time to vary an amplitude of the signal from the respective electronic pickup for output of the instrument.

A pickup device detects a vibration of a string of an electric string instrument. The pickup device includes a first coil wound in a first direction around a magnetic core that is configured to be disposed adjacent to the string. The pickup device further includes a second coil connected in series with the first coil, and wound in a second direction, which is different from the first direction. The pickup device further includes a third coil connected in series with the second coil, and wound in the second direction. The pickup device further includes a tuning circuit configured to adjust a magnitude of an induced electromotive force of the second coil. The first coil is configured to output a first signal representing the string vibration and any external magnetic field noise picked up by the first coil.

A double coil guitar pickup assembly includes a first and a second bobbin, wherein each bobbin includes a center section with a hollow interior, a coil wrapped around the center section, a top flange with a diameter greater than a diameter of the center section, and a bottom flange, wherein the top flange has a lateral-facing protrusion and adjacent depression, wherein the first and second bobbins are coupled such that the protrusion of the first bobbin fits securely within the depression of the second bobbin, and such that the protrusion of the second bobbin fits securely within the depression of the first bobbin, and, a cover configured to fit securely over the first and second bobbins, including a pair of fastening orifices configured for fastening the cover to a guitar.