1 Pickup or 2... Which One Sounds Best? | Check Out The A-B Comparison | Jazz Archtop Guitar Review

In this video, I compare 2 great sounding guitars that have only 1 difference, 1 has a single pickup design, the other has a dual pickup design. The darker colored one is a 2018 Eastman AR803CE-16, and the sunburst model is a 2010 Eastman AR803CE-16D. Like I said, both of these guitars sound amazing and there is not a whole of difference in sound but you will notice some characteristics with the tone that make them a bit different. Which one do you like best? Let me know in the comment section! Thanks for watching!!

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[kudgeond]

He didn't mention it but he only used the neck pickup on the double pickup guitar. Some people seem to have assumed he was using both pickups. The question isn't about the sound of 1 pickup vs 2, it's about how the presence of the 2nd pickup affects the sound by reducing the ability of the top to vibrate. Imo the single pickup model had an open, full sound with more bass while the 2 pickup version sounded slightly compressed with more pronounced mids. The former is a perfect jazz guitar while the latter is more versatile.

[johnlind]

I don't really know why, but I always chose the single pick-up instrument. I do get that the double gives the player more tonal flexibility. One reason for my choice is that I find the single pickup guitar more attractive and less busy looking. But I also think I hear a little more compression and a richer tone with the single pickup instrument. BTW, I love the finish on that single pickup AR803.
Thanks, that was fun Rich.
John
Gig Harbor, WA

[dkstott]

I'll always choose 1 pickup over 2. Neck pickup is all I need. The bridge pickup and added knobs, switches are just extra weight that I don't need.

[jamesgiebel]

Would be nice if you provided details on your direct input setup including monitoring path, software used, input device used, etc. Sounds great!

[albertoelua]

I agree with those who, while acķnowledging the greater versatility of the two pickup model, still prefer the sound of the one pickup, specially when in this test the added versatility of the second pickup is not being taken advantage of. I just love the tone and the looks of the one pickup; maybe a one trick pony, but soooo beautiful in every department.

[rolandmueller]

Hi Rich,
I think I like the single pickup version better for jazz. It allows for a more vibration of the top. It’s seems like the extra vibration produces more overtones, maybe in the midrange. Even though i prefer a single pickup, the double pickup still sounds pretty good and is more versatile for other kinds of music like R&B. I think either guitar might feedback too much, for rock and blues.

[banej]

Personally I prefer 2 magnets because there is more potential for more types of music.
Thank you for your presentation .

[moondawg]

I was surprised I liked the single so much but the double was more compressed and enjoyable; probably the player!

[To.Si.Ma.]

Well my mobile phone speaker aren t that good. But to me it seemed that the dual pickup design adds a bit heights and crispness due to the bridge pickup (guess you used both together) which is normally tighter than the warm neck pickup.
So. I like the dual pickup version more. But blindfolded, I dont know if I could tell the difference. In this video the dual version had more dimension.

But maybe I was wrong.

What are the pickups? The replacement model now comes with Lollars. Some cheaper models have Seymour Duncan antiquity/jazz/seth lovers and older models Kent Armstrong installed.

Did your guitars have the same pickups?

Greetings

Btw. I like this video because I was thinking about Wes Montgomerys sound. He used to play dual pickup guitars and I was wondering if he played only the neck PU or both.

1 PU mellower, less harsh, duller
2 PU brighter less bass (might be a different PU, might have used both PUs)

[ronlee]

Maybe a slight preference for the single pickup. But they both sound great.

[nicknameunavailable]

Seems to me the single pickup model has much more bass response than the dual pickup model. I like that better, but I might be biased since I have a single-pickup ES-175.

[benkatof]

Both really nice, but the single sounded better to me - as others noted, a bit more low end and punch. Must say though, an add in the middle of a test makes it harder to evaluate. Not sure if you have any control over that. You rectified it at the end of the video with the editing, so no biggie

[rickv]

Single pickup guitar sounds a little more mellow to my ears

[stogies]

They are almost identical. I think for practical purposes
there is no difference.

[karengayle]

1 pup always sounds punchy, some say that the magnets pull down on the strings. You could do it again and just have one pup playing on each tp see any difference. You are aware of this but the viewers might hear the difference.