Single coil pickups are renowned for their bright and articulate tones, but they also have a notorious reputation for generating unwanted hum and noise. If you’re a guitarist who loves the sound of single coils but wants to reduce or eliminate that frustrating background hum, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll explore several techniques and solutions to help you make single coil pickups not hum.
- Humbucking Pickups
One of the most effective ways to eliminate single coil hum is to replace your single coil pickups with humbucking pickups. Humbuckers are designed with two coils wound in opposite directions, which cancels out the noise and hum. This design results in a quieter signal without sacrificing too much of the single coil’s character.
- Shielding
Shielding your guitar’s electronics cavity and pickguard can significantly reduce electromagnetic interference, such as radio frequency interference (RFI) and electromagnetic interference (EMI). You can use copper or aluminum foil to create a shield. Ensure that the foil is grounded to effectively dissipate interference.
- Noise Gates
Noise gate pedals are excellent tools for suppressing unwanted noise when you’re not playing. They work by automatically muting the signal when it falls below a certain threshold. This helps silence the hum and background noise between your notes, especially during pauses in your playing.
- Proper Grounding
Ensuring your guitar’s wiring and components are properly grounded is crucial for reducing noise. Make sure all solder connections are clean and secure, and that the ground wire is correctly connected to the bridge or tremolo system. A well-grounded guitar helps divert unwanted electrical interference to the ground.
- Use a Hum-Canceling Middle Pickup
If you have a guitar with a single coil pickup in the middle position, consider using a hum-canceling single coil pickup instead. These pickups maintain the single coil tone while reducing hum. They are often used in HSS (humbucker-single-single) pickup configurations.
- Twisted Pair Wiring
Some players opt for twisted pair wiring for their single coil pickups. This wiring technique helps reduce interference by canceling out electromagnetic interference. It involves twisting together two wires carrying the signal, which can be particularly effective in minimizing hum.
- Quality Cables and Pedals
Sometimes, the noise issues you encounter might not solely be due to your guitar’s pickups but also the quality of cables and pedals in your signal chain. Using shielded cables and high-quality pedals can help maintain a cleaner signal and minimize interference.
- Strategic Positioning
When performing, pay attention to your positioning relative to amplifiers and electronic devices. Moving around the stage or facing different directions can influence the level of noise you experience. Experiment with your placement to find the least noisy spots.
Conclusion
While single coil pickups are inherently prone to hum and noise due to their design, these issues can be effectively managed with the right techniques and equipment. Whether you choose to use humbuckers, shielding, noise gates, or a combination of strategies, there are ways to make single coil pickups not hum while preserving their distinctive tonal character. Finding the right balance between reducing noise and enjoying the unique single coil sound is key to creating a pleasing and noise-free playing experience.
