Differences between Humbucker’s Tone

Differences between Humbucker’s Tone

SO many options to choose from… Vintage or modern, open or closed, Alnico or ceramic, which coil? So many questions regarding just one topic – what are the differences between the humbuckers of an electric guitar? We’ll try to simplify as much as possible in order to help you understand and make the choice an easier one.

In this article we will discuss the P.A.F. design because it is the most traditional and abundant humbucker in use today, with the most variations and options.

Open or closed cover

“With or without?” is not just a question of aesthetics. Although covers come in various colors and material, all very pleasing to the eye, we must ask ourselves “how does this change my tone?” 

Well… it changes it quite a lot. All covers change the tone to some degree. Metal covers change it a lot, and wood and plastic covers change it a little – but still do.

An open pickup is brighter and clearer than a covered pickup of the same model. The cover darkens and compresses the tone. This doesn’t mean it’s good or bad, it just means it is different and we should be aware of this effect when choosing between these options.
Click here for more info about guitar pickup covers.

Coils & Resistance

A change in coil and resistance affects the characteristics of the tone significantly.
The change is heard and even felt in most cases and should be known – if our intention is squeezing the best possible sound out of our guitars.

The simplest way to remember which way to go is to learn the pure basics. 

Each electromagnetic pickup has resistance. It is represented by a number with a “KΩ” next to it. As a rule of thumb – the higher this number gets, the more resonant-peak of the pickup drops. That means a darker tone, with a deeper low end and milder, smoother highs.

A change in gauge between a coil with 42 AWG or 43 AWG, for instance, also affects the dynamic range. A 42 wire is thicker than a 43 and so on. In most cases, a thinner wire creates greater compression. Players usually prefer to use compressed pickups for hi gain sounds, and dynamic pickups for clean, but it is completely up to you. 

Listen to these videos.. These pickups are identical in every aspect, except for coil type and resistance. Oomph with 42 AWG and Cross Town with 43 AWG.

More about Coils & Resistance in this article (What is a pickup Wire or Coil)

Magnets

Just as any electromagnetic pickup, humbuckers also change their tonal characteristics according to the magnet that is installed in them. Our article about magnets explains the differences between each magnet in depth and we recommend you read it.
To sum it up briefly, a stronger magnet increases volume and changes frequency response.
A good comparison would be to listen to the differences between these two pickups – “Caramel” vs “Lover Boy”. These pickups are very similar, with almost the same resistance and the same coil type. The major difference is the magnet – an Alnico IV for the Caramel and an Alnico II for the Lover Boy. Notice that the Alnico II produces more twang by increased mids, while the Alnico IV is flatter in EQ and more transparent.

Of course these changes occur with all magnets and learning the subtleties can make our lives much easier. The table below is just a general guide, and players often choose different magnets for different genres, but it will at least give you a lead for where to start looking.

Potted or Unpotted

Our article about wax potting explains in detail everything you need to know about the process, but to let’s sum it up in simple and useful terms.
Wax potting is a process that helps to eliminate acoustic feedback. This process also tightens up the sound a little…
A player who wants a more contemporary, tight tone and uses a high gain amp and pedals would usually prefer (as most players do) a potted pickup. An unpotted pickup will produce an annoying feedback in high volumes especially when driving up the distortion.
Vintage tone players love unpotted pickups, however most of the pickups in production today are potted by default, and many just buy potted pickups without acknowledging the other option.

Symmetric Vs Asymmetric

A humbucker has two coils in it, in order to cancel the 50/60Hz cycle hum. These coils can be wound symmetrically (same wire with the same amount of wounds in each coil) or asymmetrically (different amount of wounds and even different gauge of wire). 

Asymmetric humbucker pickups gain small characteristics of a single coil pickup. They have more top and more bottom end, but are slightly noisier. This gives more clarity and dynamic to the pickup as opposed to symmetric humbuckers that are more compressed.

These videos are of two very similar pickups. The Oomph is a symmetrical pickup compared to the Mojito which is asymmetrical.