As well as the type of pickups used, it is possible to get a variety of tones out of a guitar by selecting different pickup positions. This could mean using the neck pickup only, the bridge pickup only or a combination of pickups. The pickup position is selected with the pickup selector switch.
The type of switch varies from one guitar to the next, but once again there are two basic types. On Fender style guitars (usually single coil) there are usually three pickups and a five way selector switch which allows you to use any of the three pickups individually, or an "in between" position involving either the neck and middle pickups, or the bridge and middle pickups. On Gibson style guitars there are usually two double coil humbuckers and a three way selector switch to choose either pickup individually or both combined. Both types of selector switches are shown below. These days many guitars have extra pickup possibilities and extra switches. Only the basic types are dealt with here.
Guitarists often change pickup settings in the middle of a song, or solo to get a different tonal effect. The best time to do this is where a rest occurs in the music. All you do is stop picking or strumming and move your hand to alter the pickup selector switch before resuming playing. The following example is an exercise designed to help you gain control of switching pickups between phrases. Change the pickup settings where the rests occur and keep counting in time with your metronome and tapping your foot as you play the example so as to keep your timing even.