Single coil versus Humbucker pickups is a volatile difference of opinion that permeates most of the guitar world. The sounds produced by the different pickups could change the tone and style of the music in question. What is the difference between single coil and humbucker pickups?
Single coil pickups differ from humbuckers because they only have a single layer of coiled wire around their poles. The poles are tiny metal extensions on the plate of the pickups. In addition, the sounds from Humbucker differ from the single coil, which has a much lighter and brighter tone.
Guitar playing is one of the most creative and beautiful forms of music in the world. Making this music requires that you have the correct pickup in your guitar to get the sounds you want. Learning about pickups is part of learning to play electric and even acoustic guitar today! Read on and learn what it takes to tell the difference between single coil and humbucker pickups.
Single Coil vs. Humbuckers
Guitar playing is all about tone. How the guitar sounds and the notes it can hit determine what kind of music you are playing. Back in the 30’s guitarists were struggling to find a way to make their instrument louder than horns and drums. There were several other attempts to make the guitar louder, but none worked as well as the pickup.
Resting under the strings of your electric guitar is a slender piece of plastic with several poles peeking just outside. These poles are attached to a more significant metal piece that is wound with copper wire. The wire is what makes the sound transmit to the amplifier.
How Single Coil Guitar Pickups Work
It’s a simple and straightforward process that we are all familiar with. Vibrations run across the strings and are altered by how your fingers impact and mute the strings. The key to the entire process is metal strings. As they move back and forth across the magnetized poles, they transmit the signal to your amplifier.
- Strum the Strings – Strumming the strings on your guitar vibrates them, and they produce musical notes. These strings vibrate across the tops of the poles on the pickups. Metal strings are essential to the process as the vibrations are picked up and transmitted by the poles.
- Pickups Transmit – Once the tones are struck, the pickups take those vibrations and turn them into electronic impulses. The impulses travel through the circuitry in the pickup and down to the plug-in jack on your guitar.
- Jack Conversion – The jack on your guitar is made for a specific type of electrical cord to be plugged in. It is a long metal node screwed into a cord attached to the amp. This cord continues the work done by the pickups and transmits an electric signal to the amplifier or PA system.
- Amp Produces Sound – Once the signal has traveled through the cord, it will be translated out of the speaker on the amp. The amp produces the sounds that we want and a few that we don’t want.
One of the most prominent complaints musicians have about the single coil pickup is how much sound it gets. There’s noticeable feedback or hum that can be heard when you aren’t playing any notes. This feedback can be highly aggravating and if you play with your amp turned up loud, it will be a fight to keep feedback out of the music.
In the 1950’s guitar players began to be bothered by too much feedback and began searching for a better way. One of the engineers at Gibson guitars had an idea that would shake the foundations of guitar playing and create an argument that is still fresh on the minds of many guitar players today.
How Humbucker Guitar Pickups Work
Guitar playing in the ’50s was beginning to move the guitar towards the front of the stage with wild solos and impressive gyrating singers. The feedback problem became more prevalent as young garage bands across the country began to crank it up and rip the knob off. Louder playing needed a more stable sound process.
Gibson introduced the humbucker pickup in 1955. The humbucker works in the same electromagnetic process as its single coil competitor. The most significant improvement is a second metal rod wound with copper wire. The second set of wires eliminates the hum, hence the title humbucker.
How Single Coil and Humbucker Pickups Sound
Another big difference, besides construction, between the two types of pickups is how they sound. The tone that the single coil series of pickup produces is described as bright. This means that the guitar has a crisp sound that makes the notes much easier to discern. Eric Clapton plays Fender guitars and has a single coil sound.
Humbuckers get rid of any unwanted sounds picked up by a set of single coils. The humbucker also comes in a much larger box. You can spot them by how much larger they are than the single coil. Slash plays a Gibson Les Paul, and his guitar is outfitted with a pair of humbuckers that he helped design.
Pros and Cons of the Single Coil Pickup
Single coil pickups aren’t for everyone. People interested in playing heavy metal music will prefer the cranked clean tone of humbuckers, while blues players could get a better tone from a slender-bodied guitar with a single coil pickup. Single coils can be finicky and should be tried out before money is sunk into a good set.
The Pros of the Single Coil Pickup are What Make it Iconic.
- Better with effects – If you are interested in playing with a distortion pedal, a single coil is going to be your best bet. Sure, you can still get good distortion with a humbucker, but a single coil gives a much better sound.
- Tone – Plain and simple, the single coil has a brighter tone than the humbucker. The sounds that come from the amp will be crisp and have a higher frequency than other guitars.
- Higher sound frequency – Single coils can reach higher frequency squeals and notes than a humbucker. Guitar heroes like Jimi Hendrix relied on the higher tones to create a haze of sound that influenced everything after.
In the end, it comes down to your taste in music. The thin sound that comes from the single coil is synonymous with punk music and garage bands. A great blues solo belted out of a Fender is one of the most haunting and moving pieces in American music. All of these would be nothing without the single coil pickup.
The Cons of the Single Coil Could Outweigh the Pros for Some
People are weird. A strange sound or a loose feel could mean that the guitar and the sound turn the customer off. Single coils have the same effect on people. Their sound can be hard to control at higher sound levels, and that is a big no-no for rock guitarists.
- Feedback – The biggest drawback of the single is that it has some nasty feedback. So much so that another pickup was invented just to prevent it. Players who use high gain or volume knob will get a tiny wail that could turn into an ear screeching whine at any moment.
- Thin sound – Another drawback of the single coil is how thin the sound is. Some guitarists want a guitar that has some force behind the strums. It is excellent for rhythm players and those who are into playing at high volume.
- Low volume – Possibly the biggest turnoff for guitar players is the low volume threshold. At a certain level, any kind of noise on the string will cause a chain reaction of feedback that could have the dogs howling two blocks over.
Cons always sound like a death knell for whatever you are describing. What it eventually comes down to is individual taste. For some, feedback is just another set of tones that can be corralled into music. Learn to use the tones your guitar pickup makes to create original sounding pieces that use the shortcomings of the parts to make a new sound.
Pros and Cons of the Humbucker Pickup
Humbuckers are featured in some of the most famous and celebrated guitars in the world of music. Their dual coil design means that you can turn the knob up to 11 and rock without any unwanted noises or feedback. They are the basis for the metal and blues fusion sound that gave way to hard rock and heavy metal.
The Pros of the Humbucker Make Them Dependable and Fun to Use
Seth Lover invented the humbucker in the 1950s. He added the second set of coils and wired them out of phase. Out of phase means they are like opposite ends of a magnet. Wiring them this way meant the hum produced by the coil was bucked. Hence the name humbucker.
- Thicker sound – The most significant thing about a humbucker is the thick sound that they create. Some call it warmer, but there is just enough force behind it to make you feel the pulse of the music.
- No feedback – The humbucker was created to kick the hum and feedback that is made by single coils. There is almost no interference in the humbucker, and that means you can add whatever crunchy affects you need to get the sound you want with no interference from the pedals.
- Tone switch – The more extensive body needed to house the humbuckers can house more electronics, like a tone switch. A tone switch adds or cuts power to the pickups and allows you to have different tones.
- Power – When you have two coils, you have twice as much power. Twice the power means that you can play at a much louder volume and still produce quality sound from the guitar.
The innovation that Love sank into developing the humbucker was revolutionary and created a sound that changed music. The humbucker hasn’t stopped improving, and legions of guitar heroes have based their entire careers on the sound it produces.
The Cons of the Humbucker Make it a Toss-Up for Some Players.
The humbucker creates a solid sound that is the basis for some of the heaviest and most influential rock guitarists ever. Sound like that has to come with a drawback, and that drives other players away. The cons for the bucker are, like the single coil, are all a matter of taste and should be taken as such.
- Weight – More coils mean more weight on the guitar. That weight also means that there is more area needed to house the humbucker. Thick body guitars house the humbucker best, and all that extra weight can be stupid heavy if you have to hold it for a few hours.
- Less clear – The notes that a humbucker transmits aren’t as clear as those you get from a single coil. The thicker sound that is produced can make notes sound a bit muted, and some players balk at that.
The Gibson Les Paul is one of the most well-known humbucker-carrying models on the market. The extra material and larger body make the guitar a bit heavier and produce notes that some could hear as muted or stunted.
The Best Single Coil Pickups
When it comes to picking a new single coil pickup, there are some great options out there that are the height of innovation and right along the cutting edge of electronics. They are made with the best metals and ceramics available today, and their sound reflects the time and care put into creating each model.
The Fender Tex Mex is an Amazing Sounding Single Coil Set
When it comes to the single coil, there isn’t a better place to start than at Fender. The Tex Mex is a three-pickup set with a staggered-pole setting that makes the notes much clearer and easily transmitted. They produce a high-frequency sound that is better suited for country and surf music.
There aren’t many companies out there who have the name recognition that Fender does. They have had a large share of the market for almost 100 years and continue to deliver great products season after season. The Tex Mex set is a perfect example of the ingenuity and innovation that helps people find the tone they have been looking for.
The magnets on the inside are coated with a polymer that allows them to transmit to the electronics. The magnets are made of Alnico, allowing them to make a much better sound than other metals.
DiMarzio Area ‘67 is a Great Pickup with Amazing Sound.
In an attempt to channel Jimi Hendrix’s guitar burning performance in 1967, the DiMarzio company has produced a fantastic set of single coil pickups. DiMarzio has been around for decades and is known for making an impressive product. The Area ‘67 is a jewel in its crown of achievements in pickup production.
The ‘67 has a unique and bright sound that harkens back to the summer of love. They come with a plain white cover that hides a set of Alnico magnets wound with an Area canceling material that makes the magnet pick up less interference.
The tone that Area ‘67 creates is something you have to hear to believe. They have recreated the sound of pickups from the 1960s and eliminated the hum that made Hendrix such a magician.
The Jerry Donahue Single Coil Seymour Duncan is a Marvel of a Pickup
One of the Hellecasters, a Fender single coil guitar group, Jerry Donahue, has a signature pickup that is the very essence of bright tone. The pickup has a bright tone that is the heartbeat of country and blues music.
Seymour Duncan has been another heavyweight in the guitar pickups and effects pedals market for over 50 years. They have some innovative and exciting products that continue to push the envelope while creating great sound.
The Alnico 2 magnets are symmetrically set apart so that they are in the best position to transmit the notes. While there are more powerful magnets, the Alnico 2 are arranged so that they need to provide less power. Using less energy means that the hum is reduced and feedback is virtually eliminated. This is rare in a single coil pickup.
A Quarter Pound Pickup by Seymour Duncan is Another Great Neck Pickup
Single coil pickups are mainly used as the pickup that resides closest to the neck. This way, they have a better chance of transmitting the higher-pitched tones. Being close to the neck also makes the thin sound that single coils produce even more pronounced. It is an excellent pick for some twang on your solos.
It can’t be overstated that Seymour Duncan is one of the true innovators of the industry. They create top-notch products like the Quarter Pound that provide guitarists with the sound they need to make their next creation come to life. The QP is a high-output single coil that holds the high-end definition of notes for much longer.
The chrome cover on the pickup is a nice look that fits the aesthetic of most neck pickups. Some of the best tone on the market comes from the tiny Quarter Pound. It is a testament to the company’s dedication to its craft.
The Twang King from DiMarzio is a Great Example of a High Output Pickup
When it comes to the chicken-pickin’ or country sound, you could always use a bit of twang. The Twang King is a single coil pickup that can add some significant twang to your repertoire. The high tone that most associate with single coil pickups goes excellent with a bit of extra twang, and the TK has tons of that.
DiMarzio is a student of the game, and they listen to what their customers and players tell them. They make specific lines, like the Twang King, to cater to those players that are seeking great tone but also an excellent investment that is worth their hard-earned money.
Other than the name on the Twang King, the thing that stands out is the time and care placed into selecting the electronic implements. The controlled-tension wound wiring makes the magnets pick the sound up much easier and provides a clean and tone that people go crazy over.
The Best Humbucker Pickups
Humbuckers are some of the best-looking pickups on the market. They are different from single coil because they often use chrome or single-colored boxes to cover the electrical components. This box gives the overall look of the guitar a heftier look that matches the music’s deep tones.
The EMG JH Series is a Beastly Set of Humbuckers.
You know, a set of pickups is good when they are named after one of the greatest metal rhythm players that ever slang a guitar. The JH, James Hetfield series pickups are some of the best that EMG has ever produced, and that is saying a lot. EMG has been creating metal pickups, like the JH, since they opened shop in the 1970s.
When it comes to having a well-known name EMG is right up there with the big boys. They make products with some of the most giant leaps in innovation, wireless mics, and guitar inputs; they also are known for making products that are just plain fun to use. The EMG JH set is a nice set of humbuckers that is fun to play and comes in several different finishes.
A serious set like the JH is best for those guitarists who want to have a thick rhythm guitar sound. It leans heavily on rock tones and works even better with distortion and some thick metal riffs. Hetfield’s sound is so distinct that a single coil pickup could never replicate the dual notes that he is famous for.
A Seth Lover Set of Seymour Duncan Pickups is a Classic.
When a set of pickups are named after their inventor, you know that they have to be quality gear. The Seth Lover nickel cased set is just as much fun to look at as they are to play. They have the standard covered boxes and will add a nice deep tone to your playing.
When Seth Lover invented the humbucker, he started a trend that permeated every piece of the guitar landscape. His design is still seen in this set with nickel windings and period-correct electronics that make it look the part but sound it as well.
Seymour Duncan has recreated the original sounding humbucker with timeless care and devotion to the tone. They even have a tiny PAF, patent applied for, a sticker featured on some of the first pickups to leave the production facility.
The Whole Lotta Line of Pickups is a Homage to Jimmy Page
One of the most popular and influential humbucker players around is Led Zeppelin’s, Jimmy Page. Seymour Duncan, recurrent name on the best-of list, made these Whole Lotta humbuckers sound just like those Page played when he was on tour.
Don’t let them be misunderstood. The pickups are great for all kinds of music, not just the pulse-pounding mash-up of blues and rock that Page is known for. The Whole Lotta series works great for any stage and type of guitarist but works better when you are ready to make some serious rock noise in the garage.
Seymour Duncan has made its name recreating some of the best old pickups on the market. Before, players would have to search guitar stores and pawn shops to find a good old set trapped in a guitar that was wasting away in the corner. Today, the SD name has several ‘knock-off’ pickups that sound just as good as the original.
The Blues Humbucker Vintage Set is Worth its Weight in Gold
Sometimes a guitarist is looking to recreate a tone or sound that was made years ago. While more straightforward to use, the new technology means that the old sound’s nuances have been engineered out of the design. The Blues Vintage set takes everything back to square one and gets it right from the word Go.
The Blues Vintage creates a guitar tone that brings to mind some of the first real rock guitarists, like Keith Richards, who had their feet planted firmly in the blues but had aspirations of rocking. A set designed this way harkens back to less complicated electronic equipment and focuses on the music’s sound.
The humbucker is excellent for bluesy rock as the dual coal setup means you can get a deep fat sound from the strings while pushing the high notes with an even crisp tone. The nickel in the windings and high-powered magnets in the poles create a sound that is hard to replicate and easy to enjoy.
Conclusion
The most significant difference between a single coil and humbucker pickup is how they sound. The single leans the guitar more towards high pitched tones and thin sound associated with country and surf rock. The single coil also needs less room on the guitar body. The slender body further exacerbates the light sound.
Humbuckers are a pair of single coil pickups wired in opposition. The wiring defeats the humming in single coil pickups and makes for a steady fat tone. Humbuckers are more for heavy music like metal and some hard rock. Whichever style you choose, you are sure to have several options to find the sound that you have been looking for.
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