A pivoting electromagnetic pickup device is provided. The invention generally is comprised of an elongated support structure, an electromagnetic pickup, a pivoting means, and an angular position locking means. The extremity of the elongated support structure is pivotally attached to the front face of an electric guitar or electric base body, between the front face and the strings, restricting its movement to a curvilinear path substantially normal to the axis of rotation and substantially parallel to the plane of the strings. The pickup is mounted to the elongated support structure, between the elongated support structure and the strings. Attaching the elongated support structure to the guitar body in a pivotal relationship is the pivoting means. The angular position locking means can be engaged to continuously vary the resistance to angular motion, from no resistance to maximum resistance, where the elongated support structure is substantially locked to a chosen angular position.