P bass pickups are split-coil pickups. This means that they have two coils of wire wrapped around magnets, but the coils are separated from each other. This separation helps to reduce noise and hum, but it does not eliminate it completely.
Split-coil pickups are different from both single coil pickups and humbucker pickups. Single coil pickups only have one coil of wire, while humbucker pickups have two coils of wire that are wired out of phase with each other. This out-of-phase wiring cancels out noise and hum.
Split-coil pickups are a good compromise between single coil pickups and humbucker pickups. They offer a good balance of tone, noise cancellation, and versatility.
Here is a table that compares the three types of pickups:
| Characteristic | Single coil | Humbucker | Split-coil |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of coils | One | Two | Two |
| Noise cancellation | Low | High | Medium |
| Tone | Bright, clear | Warm, full | Balanced |
| Versatility | Very versatile | Less versatile | Very versatile |
Which type of pickup is right for you?
The best type of pickup for you depends on your personal preferences and the type of music you play. If you are looking for a bright, clear sound with a lot of versatility, then a single coil pickup may be a good choice for you. If you are looking for a warm, full sound with less noise, then a humbucker pickup may be a better option. If you are looking for a good balance of tone, noise cancellation, and versatility, then a split-coil pickup may be the best choice for you.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which type of pickup is right for you is to try out a few different guitars and see which one you like best.
