A pickup is a device that captures the vibration of the metal guitar strings and changes them into electronic sound signals.

VOA: special.2009.09.27

To make his guitar, Les Paul attached guitar strings and two electronic pickup devices onto a flat piece of wood from a railroad track.

VOA: special.2009.09.27

The company is showing off the sensoriactuator in its early stages by affixing it to a guitar, with two pickup channels beneath each of the acoustic's strings.

ENGADGET: Moog shows off LEV-96 sensoriactuator prototype on an acoustic guitar