Hum-canceling pickups are a type of electric guitar pickup that is designed to reduce noise and hum. They are typically made up of two coils of wire that are wound around magnets and wired out of phase with each other. This means that the noise and hum from the two coils cancel each other out, resulting in a cleaner sound.
Hum-canceling pickups were first developed in the 1950s by Seth Lover, an engineer at Gibson. Lover was looking for a way to reduce the noise and hum that was common in single coil pickups. He found that by wiring two coils of wire out of phase with each other, he could cancel out the noise and hum without sacrificing the tone of the pickup.
Hum-canceling pickups are now used in a wide variety of electric guitars, including Les Pauls, SGs, and PRS guitars. They are also common in bass guitars, such as the Fender Precision Bass and the Fender Jazz Bass.
There are a few different types of hum-canceling pickups, but the most common type is the humbucker. Humbuckers are made up of two coils of wire that are wound around magnets and wired out of phase with each other. Humbuckers are known for their warm, full sound and their ability to cancel out noise and hum.
Another type of hum-canceling pickup is the stacked humbucker. Stacked humbuckers are made up of two coils of wire that are stacked on top of each other and wired out of phase with each other. Stacked humbuckers have a brighter sound than traditional humbuckers, but they still retain the ability to cancel out noise and hum.
Hum-canceling pickups are a great choice for players who want a clean sound with reduced noise and hum. They are also a good choice for players who want a versatile pickup that can be used to play a variety of musical styles.
Here are some of the benefits of using hum-canceling pickups:
- Reduced noise and hum: Hum-canceling pickups are designed to reduce noise and hum, which can be a problem with single coil pickups. This is because hum-canceling pickups have two coils of wire that are wired out of phase with each other. This cancels out the noise and hum from the two coils, resulting in a cleaner sound.
- Versatility: Hum-canceling pickups are versatile pickups that can be used to play a variety of musical styles. They are known for their warm, full sound, but they can also produce a brighter sound when used in a split coil configuration.
- Sustain: Hum-canceling pickups have good sustain, which means that notes will ring out for a longer time on a humbucker-equipped guitar. This is a good choice for players who want to create long, sustained solos.
Overall, hum-canceling pickups are a good choice for players who want a clean sound with reduced noise and hum. They are also a good choice for players who want a versatile pickup that can be used to play a variety of musical styles.
If you are considering buying a guitar with hum-canceling pickups, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- The type of hum-canceling pickups: There are a few different types of hum-canceling pickups, such as humbuckers and stacked humbuckers. Each type of pickup has its own unique sound, so it is important to choose the type of pickup that is right for you.
- The position of the pickups: The position of the pickups on the guitar can have a big impact on the sound. For example, pickups that are closer to the bridge tend to produce a brighter sound, while pickups that are closer to the neck tend to produce a warmer sound.
- The price of the pickups: Hum-canceling pickups can range in price from a few dollars to several hundred dollars. It is important to set a budget before you start shopping and to choose pickups that fit within your budget.
Once you have considered all of these factors, you can start shopping for a guitar with hum-canceling pickups. Be sure to try out a few different guitars before you make a purchase so that you can find the guitar that has the sound and feel that you are looking for.