What's a Humbucker pickup?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humbucker

yes. pickups make a difference. there are single coils; self explanatory.
there are humbuckers; two single coils built together.

the early single coils pickups created a noise; 60 cycle hum. but when two single coils were sandwiched together; possibly one out of phase with thew other, the hum was cancelled. that is my basic understanding.
since then single coils have come a long way. Fender makes noiseless pickups. Lace Sensor (which I have on my strat) solved the noise problem too.
Gibson Les Paul's have humbuckers. most Fenders have single coils for example. check out the artists that use those guitars. the difference of tone is plainly heard.
there is so much info on the web. search around.
others here are more qualified to answer your question. I just wanted to get the ball rolling.

and yes, it is important to learn the differences as a guitar player. I definately am a single coil guitar man. I love the sound.
I don't need anything else to get my tone. (well, maybe my one stompbox).

It is a question of taste... I also prefer the single coils, I started with a Les Paul with humbuckers but I think my tone is in a single-coil.

I tried to explain this issue in the other thread. Part of the fun is to try several things and learn from them. I was not able to detect the difference between neck and bridge pickups and I heard the same tone from humbuckers and single-coils.

Try yourself: Single-coil players: David Gilmour, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Mark Knopfler, Jimi Herndrix, Robin Trower... Humbucker players: BB King, Albert King, Freddie King, Jimmy Page, Duane Allman, Gary Moore, Eric Clapton (again), Mark Knopfler (again too)...

Disclaimer: Practically each player also plays the other option but, probably, everybody agrees the classification.

Some argue that having a guitar with both as a starter is the way to go for flexibility, etc. Something like this http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Affinity-Series-Fat-Strat-Electric-Guitar?sku=510629 that has the humbucker in the bridge and singles in the mid and top positions.

I dunno. If you did that, you'd be cheating yourself out of one guitar. :)

Hmmmm, Jimmy Page or Dave Gilmour.... Now, there's a question...

Can I have a piece of both please, Sir... :roll:

Ok, I now see where the name comes from...Hum, as in, well, hummmmmm and 'bucker' as in challenge, dispute, oppose, resist etc, etc. Very clever.

I like the sound (he he) of having both. The Stagg guitar I'm probably going to buy has three single coil pickups, but I reckon I could probably fit a humbucker in place of one of the singles - On the guitar in question, the single coil pickup next to where the strings are attached ( :oops: ) is at an angle to the other two? Can a humbucker be at this angle or should I fit it straight?
Or is this a question for another forum index?

Oooo I'm getting excited about this... :D

Rock on!

D 8)

There look to be Strat style Staggs already configured that way Dylan. The 'H/S/S' models here:

http://www.ukguitars.com/guitars/electrics_under100.htm

Might save you some grief... :)

humbuckers are mounted straight and not at an angle.
single coils are sometimes angled to balance the difference between the thinner high strings and the heavier lower strings.
notice that the angle brings the high strings closer to the bridge. think twang and sparkle.

To do what your thinking would require a bit of work. Primarily measuring, taping/masking off the area, measuring again, marking, and then routing out the excess wood. But its generally recommended you take the strings, pick guard and pickups off/out first :)

Then you'll have to put it all back together again, soldering the correct wires to each other and their proper connections on the volume/tone pots......etc etc etc.

Essentially a lot of hassle and work.

I'd look at finding a "FAT STRAT" or H-S-S configuration if that's what your after.

Before I make any final decision though I would go and play a few on as clean an amp as I can find. Switch between the single/strat style guitar and the HB Les Paul style guitars. Moving the selector switch, twisting all the knobs and listening to what you hear, so YOU know what is what and then make a decision.

I'll warn you though, chances are you will end up with both types of guitars.....eventually!! :) Gotta love GAS!!! :)

Even though I absolutely love my Les Paul, I equally enjoy my Strat. I find that I have much more flexibility of tone with my strat than I do with my LP.

Happy Hunting :)

It's a matter of taste. Try both and see what you like.

Humbuckers give you less noise. But really, who is going to hear a bit of 60Hz club when you are playing live. The ambient noise of the room is much higher than the single coil hum. If you are recording, a noise gate will take care of the hum.

Single coil pups give you a more pure tone with more harmonic frequencies.

My favorite pickup sound is the P90, found on many Gibson/Epiphones (and others).

Why?

With a decent FX pedal, you can make the P90 sound almost like a humbucker (close enough for the average audience member). But there is nothing you can do to a humbucker to make it sound like a P90.

I've got p90s on both my Gibson ES-330 and my Epiphone Casino and humbuckers on my ESP/LTD (L.P. shape - I forget the model number). I hardly touch the ESP/LTD because the P90s sound so nice to MY ears - YMMV.

But then, I repeat, it is a matter of taste. Whatever sounds best to your ears.

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