Guitar elements (left a double coil element, middle and right single coil elements) Schematic image of a single coil and a humbucker Screw screws on a humbucker of Gibson
The Humbucker is a dual-guitar element. The sound is warmer and fuller than a single-coil guitar element and known to guitarists like B.B. King, James Hetfield (Metallica), Richard Kruspe (Rammstein) and Slash (Guns N 'Roses).
The Humbucker was invented by Gibson technician Seth Lover in 1955. This put an end to the problem of the freaking 'single coil pickup'. Humbuckers are (traditionally) connected in series and are in opposition phase with mutually opposite magnetic field. Because the magnetic field is applied between both coils, both coils with the strings form a closed magnetic circuit. When the strings move in this closed magnetic circuit, the magnetic field varies in the coils and elicits electrical stress. Because the strings are over a longer length in the magnetic field, the ground tone will be much harder than the higher harmonics. An alternating magnetic field outside the circuit will, due to the reverse phase, have little effect, provided both coils have similar properties. This applies to both 50 hertz and high frequency magnetic sources. Because the two coils have a double number of windings together, the voltage generated by the strings will be doubled. Due to the width of the recording field, harmonic bead vibrations are reduced, giving a fatter sound. Many Fender guitar enthusiasts experience this sound as uncomfortable and prefer the single coil above the humbucker. In the drawing, under both coils is the magnet through which the magnetism flows through the iron adjusting screws upwards and the same polarity holds above the element. In some coils there are also magnetic bars that amplify the overall magnetic field, giving the Humbucker even greater output. The notation N and S above the coils are incorrectly indicated in the drawing.
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