If you’ve ever played an electric guitar, you’ve likely heard of a humbucker pickup. But what exactly is a humbucker pickup, and how does it work? In this article, we’ll explore the basics of humbucker pickups, including their history, design, and function.
What is a Humbucker Pickup?
A humbucker pickup is a type of guitar pickup that is designed to cancel out the hum and noise that is often produced by single-coil pickups. Single-coil pickups are a type of pickup that is made up of a single coil of wire, which can produce a bright and clear tone. However, they are also susceptible to picking up interference from other electrical devices, which can produce a humming or buzzing sound.
Humbucker pickups were first developed in the 1950s by guitar manufacturer Gibson as a way to address the noise issue that plagued single-coil pickups. The first humbucker pickup, known as the “PAF” (short for “Patent Applied For”), was designed (See Figure 1) by engineer Seth Lover in 1955 and was introduced on Gibson’s lap steel guitars in 1956, and then on electric guitars in 1957. The PAF humbucker quickly became popular among guitarists and is still highly sought after by collectors today.
How Does a Humbucker Pickup Work?
The design of a humbucker pickup is based on the principle of electromagnetic induction. Like single-coil pickups, humbucker pickups consist of a coil of wire wrapped around six magnetic pole pieces. However, a humbucker pickup features two coils wound in opposite directions, with a larger magnet positioned at the bottom of both coils. Each pole of the magnet, north and south, makes contact with the pole pieces of each coil on each side of the magnet, resulting in opposite magnetic fields. See Figure 2.
When a guitar string is plucked, its vibration disturbs the magnetic fields. The magnetic fields induce an electrical current in the pickup’s coils, which is then sent to the guitar amplifier and transformed into sound.
In a single-coil pickup, the coil of wire is susceptible to picking up interference from other electrical devices, which can produce a humming or buzzing sound. However, in a humbucker pickup, the two coils of wire that are wound in opposite directions, cancels out the interference and produces a cleaner, noise-free sound.
In addition to cancelling out interference, humbucker pickups also have a different tone than single-coil pickups. Because the two coils are wired in series, rather than in parallel, humbucker pickups produce a thicker, warmer tone with more midrange and bass frequencies.
Types of Humbucker Pickups
There are several different types of humbucker pickups, each with its own unique sound and characteristics. Some of the most common types of humbucker pickups include PAF-style humbuckers, modern humbuckers, and mini humbuckers.
PAF-style humbuckers are known for their warm, rich tone and are commonly used in classic rock, blues, and jazz music. Modern humbuckers are designed to produce a higher output and a more aggressive, distorted sound, making them popular in heavy metal, hard rock, and other genres that require a more aggressive sound. Mini humbuckers are smaller than traditional humbucker pickups and are commonly used on guitars with a smaller body size. They produce a brighter, more focused sound than traditional humbuckers.
Conclusion
Understanding what a humbucker pickup is and how it works is an essential part of learning how to play the electric guitar. By knowing the basics of how a humbucker pickup functions, you can better understand how to manipulate your guitar’s tone and create different sounds. Whether you’re playing rock, blues, jazz, or any other genre, the humbucker pickup is a versatile tool that can help you achieve the tone you’re looking for. From the classic PAF-style humbucker to the modern high-output humbucker, there’s a humbucker pickup out there for every type of guitarist and every style of music. By experimenting with different types of humbucker pickups and learning how they affect your guitar’s tone, you can take your playing to the next level and unlock a whole new world of sonic possibilities.
