Phil X, the energetic lead guitarist for Bon Jovi, has opened up about his love for single-pickup guitars and the unique modifications he’s made to his instruments. While many guitarists swear by the tonal versatility of neck pickups, Phil X stands firmly on the other side of the spectrum, believing there’s both magic and science behind the simplicity of a lone bridge pickup.
Before stepping into the spotlight with Bon Jovi—replacing longtime member Richie Sambora—Phil X was widely recognized for his video work with vintage guitar retailer Fretted Americana. That gig exposed him to hundreds of guitars, giving him valuable hands-on experience and sparking his preference.
“I just do what the job requires, but my preference is one pickup,” Phil X told Guitar World. “I think there’s something magical about it.”
But his preference isn’t rooted in emotion alone. Phil points to a scientific explanation involving magnetic interference.
“It’s very earthy because I feel like if you have a neck pickup, even though the pickup isn’t engaged, the magnet is pulling on the strings and disrupting the vibration from the nut to the bridge,” he explained. In other words, inactive pickups may still affect string vibration due to the magnets inside them—something Phil X feels subtly impacts the tone.
For those less familiar with guitar construction, pickups use magnets (often made from Alnico or similar materials) to convert string vibrations into electrical signals. According to Phil X, even a dormant pickup still exerts magnetic pull, subtly altering the sound.
Reflecting on his experience playing an estimated 500 guitars for Fretted Americana, he said, “I realized that my favorite guitars were [Les Paul] Juniors. And it wasn’t just because of the P-90s—there was something magical about one pickup.”
So what happens to the space where the neck pickup would normally sit? In true Phil X fashion, he keeps it fun. While showing off his Gibson SG during the interview, he revealed that it now houses a miniature figurine of Robin (of Batman fame), still enclosed in the black plastic pickup frame. On another guitar, the space features a humorous carving of his own face—one he jokes doesn’t quite resemble him, so he nicknamed it “Dirty Sanchez.”
Phil X’s preferred model, the Les Paul Junior, has long been a favorite among rock legends like Gary Moore and Charlie Starr. It’s arguably the most iconic single-pickup electric guitar of all time. His admiration for that raw simplicity is echoed in current trends. ESP’s 2025 guitar line will include a bold 50% of models without neck pickups, doubling down on single-humbucker designs.
That said, the debate among players is far from settled. In 2023, Schecter surprised many by launching the triple-coil-loaded Sunset Triad, and a quirky luthier made headlines with the D.U.M.Bucker—an eight-coil pickup that actually works and might even hit the market.
Back on the stage, Phil X recently made waves by reuniting with Richie Sambora to perform Livin’ on a Prayer alongside Orianthi at a charity event. While the reunion sparked speculation, Phil quickly squashed any rumors of tension: “We were buds before and after.”
As Bon Jovi looks toward the future, Phil X confirmed that new music is coming—and fans can expect at least one standout solo from the guitar wizard himself.
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