A pickup apparatus for independently detecting the vibrations of each of a plurality of strings, and an electronic stringed instrument utilizing the pickup apparatus. The pickup apparatus minimizes the crosstalk effects between the different pickups by positioning the pickups such that the magnetic force lines of each pickup is not parallel to or not in close proximity of the magnetic force lines of adjacent pickups. In one example, each pickup in the pickup apparatus is disposed at an angle with respect to the string and with respect to adjacent pickups. In another example, each pickup is disposed at an offset along the length direction of the strings relative to adjacent pickups. In yet another example, each pickup is disposed both at an angle and at an offset relative to adjacent pickups.