Guitar Pickup Designs
September 12th, 2008 | 
Author: 
Pickups: Humbuckers, Piezos & Hexes
Certainly, if presented with an acoustic guitar and an electric guitar, most people can identify which is which. After all, while the acoustic instrument has a large hole in the middle, the body of the electric instrument is smooth and apparently solid. (Some electric guitars are solid core, some are hollow and some are a combination of both, but that is beside the point in this instance). At any rate, acoustic and electric are easy to tell apart on sight. And of course, the sound of the electric guitar and the manner in which it is produced is equally characteristic. Yet what are all the little parts and pieces that allow that this instrument to do what it does? There are quite a few, and one of the most essential is the pickup.
A pickup is a transducer, or a device that converts one type of energy into another. On an electric guitar, pickups are used to detect string vibrations and convert those vibrations electrical energy. This results in an electrical signal, which can then be electronically amplified. Most pickups for electric guitars are electromagnetic in design. They contain magnets that are tightly wrapped in a coil, or coils, of copper wire. Such pickups are usually located right underneath the guitar strings. The vibration of the strings causes a small voltage to be created in the coils surrounding the magnets; this signal voltage is later amplified.
Traditional electromagnetic pickups are either single-coil or double-coil. Single coil pickups are susceptible to noise induced from exterior electric fields. Fortunately, in the mid-1950s, the introduction of the humbucker put an end to this problem. This pickup has two magnets wrapped in copper wire. The magnets are of reversed polarity and the wire is wound in opposite directions, and the result is that they are all but unaffected by interfering electric fields.
Piezoelectric, or piezo, pickups represent another category of pickup. These employ piezoelectricity, which is the ability of some materials (such as crystals, ceramics and bone) to generate electric potential in response to applied mechanical stress. Piezos are popular in hybrid electro-acoustic guitars. A crystal is located under each string, usually in the saddle. When the string vibrates, the shape of the crystal is distorted, and the stresses associated with this change produce tiny voltages across the crystal that can be amplified and manipulated.
Some guitarists use hexaphonic pickups, which can be used in conjunction with piezo pickups. In a hexaphonic pickup setup, each guitar string has a separate piezo that obtains a separate output. These outputs, of which there are six, are then fed into the hexaphonic pickup. Such an arrangement allows the final signal to be easily modified. With modern on-board modeling technology, an electric guitar’s signal can be manipulated to attain a variety of different sounds, and a hexaphonic pickup makes this easier.
The type and model of pickup or pickups used can greatly affect the tone of the guitar. Typically, humbuckers are associated with a heavier sound, while single coil pickups are used by to create a brighter, twangier sound with greater dynamic range. And as mentioned, hexaphonic pickups are useful in enabling the guitarists to produce a variety of sounds.
Peavey Omniac™ JD USA Electric Guitar
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SAP Acoustic Steel 6 & 12 String Guitar Piezo Under Saddle Pickup Flex Design $10.79 |
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Res-O-Glas Jetsons Accessories Kit – Offer Valid Only With Guitar Body Purchase $55.00 |
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Res-O-Glas Jetsons Accessories Kit – Offer Valid Only With Guitar Body Purchase $55.00 |
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Res-O-Glas Jetsons Accessories Kit – Offer Valid Only With Guitar Body Purchase $55.00 |
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Res-O-Glas Jetsons Accessories Kit – Offer Valid Only With Guitar Body Purchase $55.00 |
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Res-O-Glas Jetsons Accessories Kit – Offer Valid Only With Guitar Body Purchase $55.00 |
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Res-O-Glas Jetsons Accessories Kit – Offer Valid Only With Guitar Body Purchase $55.00 |
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Res-O-Glas Jetsons Accessories Kit – Offer Valid Only With Guitar Body Purchase $55.00 |
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Res-O-Glas Jetsons Accessories Kit – Offer Valid Only With Guitar Body Purchase $55.00 |
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Res-O-Glas Jetsons Accessories Kit – Offer Valid Only With Guitar Body Purchase $55.00 |
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Res-O-Glas Jetsons Accessories Kit – Offer Valid Only With Guitar Body Purchase $55.00 |
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SA4B Acoustic Bass Guitar Piezo Under Saddle Pickup Flex Design 60mm 4 String $11.99 |
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SAC Nylon Classical Acoustic Guitar Piezo Under Saddle Pickup Flex Design 58mm $10.79 |
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SAZ Cigar Box Guitar Piezo Under Saddle Pickup Flex Design 28mm 3 String $11.99 |
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Dean DECEIVER X Electric Guitar,Black,DMT Design Pickup $227.00 |
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BC RICH Stealth NT Chameleon Electric Guitar – Duncan Design Guitar Pickups $499.00 |
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Slim Pickup Archtop Guitar Kent Armstrong Design HJGN3 $44.95 |
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PAIR OF CHROME HUMBUCKING GUITAR PICKUPS mesh design $30.00 |
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PAIR OF GOLD HUMBUCKING GUITAR PICKUPS mesh design $32.00 |
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Guitar T-shirt The Pickup Master Design Tee This listing is for a screenprinted 100% preshrunk heavyweight cotton t-shirt…. |
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Martin Guitar Black T-shirt – Est 1833 Logo Tee $26.99 A very basic logo tells it all. C.F. Martin rules! 100% cotton adult tee shirt… |
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Martin Guitar T-shirt – American Legend Adult Tee Shirt $26.99 Large image appears on the BACK of the shirt with a small image on the front left chest… |
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Guitar Amplifier Handbook – Understanding Tube Amplifiers and Getting Great Sounds (Softcover) $15.49 (Understanding Tube Amplifiers and Getting Great Sounds). Book. Softcover. 240 pages. Backbeat Books #087930863X. Published by Backbeat Books… |
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Electric Guitar pickups set of 3 Single Coil 48/50/52mm $11.98 |
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3 x Electric Guitar Bone Up-saddle 42*3.5*4.5/3.5mm $4.98 |
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3x Electric Guitar Bone Up-saddle 43 x 6 x 8.5mm $5.68 |
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Pair Electric Guitar Pickups Surrounds Ring 5*7 & 7*9 mm $2.88 |
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HARDTAIL CHROME ELECTRIC GUITAR BRIDGE THROUGH BODY $8.98 |
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PAIR OF WHITE ELECTRIC GUITAR OPEN HUMBUCKER PICKUPS $14.98 |
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Special designed black back plate/cover For Electric guitar $4.48 |
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high quality cream Electric guitar back plate Cover $3.98 |
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Electric Guitar Pickup Control Knob 1-Volume 2-Tone Cream $2.48 |
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D’Addario Electric Guitar Strings 1/2Round 10-52 EHR340 $10.08 |
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D’Addario Electric Guitar Strings 1/2Round 13-56 EHR360 $11.28 |
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D’Addario Electric Guitar Strings XL 12-52 Jazz EJ21 $7.98 |
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D’Addario Electric Guitar Strings 1/2Round 9-42 EHR320 $10.08 |
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D’Addario Electric Guitar Strings Nickel 11-48 EPN115 $8.88 |
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D’Addario Electric Guitar Strings 10-46 Ballend ESXL110 $12.78 |
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D’Addario Electric Guitar String ProSteels 9-42 EPS520 $7.68 |
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D’Addario Electric Guitar Strings Coated 9-42 EXP120 $11.28 |
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D’Addario Electric Guitar Strings Coated 10-46 EXP110 $11.28 |
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D’Addario Electric Guitar String ProSteels 8-39 EPS530 $7.68 |
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4 Black BELL KNOB FOR ELECTRIC GUITAR – PUSH ON TYPE $3.98 |
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4PCS Chrome Metal Flat Tone Knob For Electric Guitar $5.98 |
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72.8MM FIXED HardTail ELECTRIC GUITAR BRIDGE TAILPIECE $6.98 |
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Electric Guitar Machine Heads 3R3L W/ Blk Scrub Button $9.98 |
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4 Transparent BELL KNOB FOR ELECTRIC GUITAR – PUSH ON $3.99 |
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Black FIXED HardTail ELECTRIC GUITAR BRIDGE TAILPIECE $7.88 |
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DELICATE GOLD PAIR GUITAR STRAP BUTTONS FOR ELECTRIC GUITAR $2.88 |
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Double Strap Thick Padded Guitar Bag Soft Case For Electric Guitar 40″ 41″ NEW $19.25 |
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Electric Guitar Bass Digital Clip on Chromatic Tuner $9.98 |
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GUITAR CAPO FOR ACOUSTIC / ELECTRIC GUITAR NEW-F ZONE FC-81 $12.51 |
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NEW Metal Electric Guitar Skull Head Volume Knob Black Set $6.98 |
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6R Golden Electric Guitar Machine Heads Tuner Skull button $14.98 |
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6R Chrome Electric Guitar Machine Heads Tuner Skull button $11.98 |
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15p Chrome Electric Guitar Skull Head Volume Knobs Metal Guitar skull head knob $28.99 |
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Jensen Jet Electric Lightning 12″ 75 Watt Guitar Speaker 8 Ohm $107.10 |
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Lace Powered By Lace Tres Hombres Single Coil Electric Guitar Pickup Neck $34.99 |
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Lace Powered By Lace Tres Hombres Single Coil Electric Guitar Pickup Middle $34.99 |
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HIGH-QUALITY BLACK 3 WAY TOGGLE SWITCH FOR ELECTRIC GUITAR $3.98 |
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2x Brass Guitar string retainer bar for Electric Guitar 48mm $3.98 |
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NEW Golden Metal Electric Guitar Skull Volume Knob Set $7.98 |
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Toothed Capo Adjustable Key Clamp for Electric Guitar w Holder Case $4.36 |
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CIRCULAR BACK PLATE FOR ELECTRIC GUITAR Black COLOR $2.48 |
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Vox Satchurator Joe Satriani Electric Guitar Effects Pedal $109.45 |
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Electric Acoustic Guitar Bass Pitch Pipe Tuner Plastic w/ box $2.98 |
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4 x Left Gold/ white word Speed Control Knob For Electric Guitar $4.68 |
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4 X Left BLACK/ White word Speed Control Knob For Electric Guitar $4.68 |
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1 Set of 22 PCS Electric Guitar Fret Wire Copper 2.4Wide $4.98 |
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Square IVORY plate Out put jack For most Electric guitar $3.88 |
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6 Left hand Electric Guitar Sealed machine heads in Archaized color SET $12.98 |
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3+3 Tuning Pegs Machine Heads in Archaized color for Electric guitar 3R3L $11.88 |
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FIRST ACT ELECTRIC GUITAR STRINGS NICKLE PLATED STEEL STRINGS $0.99 |
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COPPER SHIELDING TAPE FOR ELECTRIC GUITAR BASS 30mm x 2m $4.48 |
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Aluminum SHIELDING TAPE FOR ELECTRIC GUITAR BASS 30mm x 50m $14.98 |
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old 6 Strings Electric Guitar Screw Style Tremolos Bridge 10.5mm $18.98 |
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BLACK Electric Guitar Screw Style Tremolos Bridge 10.5mm Set $17.98 |
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Gold Pickguard Mounting Bracket For Les Paul Electric Guitar w/ Nut Screw $3.98 |
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38”/39” ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC GUITAR SOUND HOLE COVER BLACK $6.98 |
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NEW 41”/42” Rubber ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC GUITAR SOUND HOLE COVER $7.18 |
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30 Toggle Switch CM/BK/WH Tip Knob Cap for Electric Guitar $4.98 |
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NEW QUALITY WASHBURN RX SERIES RX10VSB ELECTRIC GUITAR $149.00 |
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Chrome jack ferrule cup For Electric Telecaster Guitar NEW $4.48 |
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Fender Artist Series Eric Clapton Stratocaster Electric Guitar – Nearly New! $699.00 |
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A copper-nickel alloy 2.43M Long Electric Guitar Fret wire Fretwire 2.4mm $8.48 |
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Brass Alloys 8 Feet Electric Guitar Fretwire 2.4mm Gold NEW $7.98 |
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NEW AXL BADWATER SERIES DISTRESSED ELECTRIC BASS GUITAR $224.99 |
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DUAL CONCENTRIC CONTROL KNOB FOR ELECTRIC GUITAR BASS $4.98 |
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Acoustic Electric Classical Guitar Quick Change Capo Trigger / Claw shape $5.48 |
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CAPO For Electric/Acoustic Guitar Key Change /Colour Random Issuance $4.98 |
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Chrome Neck & Bridge Humbucker pickups for Electric Guitar $21.99 |
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4pcs New Electric Guitar EPIPHONE METAL CAP BELL Volume + Tone KNOB GOLD GSVT $9.98 |
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BK Electric Guitar Kids Guitar 6 Saddle Tremolo Bridge $7.99 |
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QUICK RELEASE GUITAR CAPO / For ELECTRIC & ACOUSTIC $2.49 |
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1ply cream 2 holes pickguard For electric guitar $2.99 |
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1ply black 2 holes pickguard For electric guitar $2.99 |
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CHROME ELECTRIC GUITAR JACK PLATE OVAL mounting screws $2.99 |
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Gold Square Electric Guitar Output Jack Plate $3.99 |
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Black ELECTRIC GUITAR JACK PLATE OVAL mounting screws $2.99 |
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Gold ELECTRIC GUITAR JACK PLATE OVAL mounting screws $3.99 |
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Laguna LE200Q Electric Guitar Trans Black Cherry $299.99 |
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***NEW 2012 Schecter Omen Active 7 String Electric Guitar Satin Black w/ Duncan $449.00 |
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Black Auto lock Electric Acoustic Guitar Machine Heads 6R $18.99 |
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chrome Auto lock Electric Acoustic Guitar Machine Heads 6R $18.99 |
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3pcs Guitar Bone Nut 42*3.5*4.5/3.5 For Electric Guitar $4.99 |
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3PCS 6 String Guitar Bone Nut For Electric Guitar $5.69 |
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Smooth back cover/plate perfect for duplex Electric guitar $4.49 |
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4holes special shape cream back plate for Electric guitar $3.99 |
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Black SET OF 3 PICKUP COVERS FOR Electric Guitar Pickup $2.49 |
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CREAM SET OF 3 PICKUP COVERS FOR Electric Guitar $2.49 |
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CHROME STUDS FOR ELECTRIC GUITAR BRIDGE OR TAILPIECE $3.49 |
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Golden Output Jack Socket Plate for Electric Guitar $3.99 |
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4PCS HEAVY GOLD ELECTRIC GUITAR BRONZE KNOB W/Screw $8.99 |
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4* RED Speed Type Control Knob for Electric Guitar $3.99 |
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4 x Black Top Hat Speed Control Knobs For Electric Guitar $3.99 |
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Heavy metal Electric Guitar Tremolo Bridge 6string $19.99 |
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NEW EVH Premium Electric Guitar Strings 9-46 $5.79 |
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4 x Transparent Top Hat Speed Control Knobs For Electric Guitar $3.98 |
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4xTransparent Speed Control Knob for Electric Guitar $3.99 |
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1 set of 2 Mushrooms head Electric Guitar Strap buttons GOLD $2.99 |
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Epiphone Slasher Electric Guitar w/ Gig Bag Light Blue $349.99 |
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5 x Multiple color Acoustic Electric Guitar Peg String Winder $5.49 |
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NEW PRO JAZZ BOX NATURAL SEMI HOLLOW ELECTRIC GUITAR $289.00 |
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