How to Identify Humbucker Pickups

Humbucker pickup technology was created in the mid 1930s but not widely available until Gibson began using humbucker pickups on its guitars in the 1950s. Humbucker pickups are double coil pickups rather than the single coil pickups popular with Fender guitars. The double coils use opposite windings that result in a higher output and help to reduce the "humming" noise characteristic of single coil pickups. Gibson, Seymour Duncan, and EMG are the most popular humbucker manufacturers and they each produce various versions of the pickup, but there are other manufacturers as well. Humbucker pickups usually have the manufacturer's name stamped somewhere on the pickup but additional research is required to identify the specific model.

• 1

  Write down the serial number and model the guitar. If you are the sole owner of your guitar the serial number will allow you to identify the particular humbuckers used for your guitar. If you purchase a vintage, or used, guitar, the original humbuckers may have been replaced. In this case, the serial number of the guitar does not provide the correct information.

• 2

  Remove the humbucker pickups from their pickup cavity with a Phillips screwdriver. It is not necessary to disconnect the pickups from the guitar. Humbuckers are typically secured to the guitar with two screws. Unscrew the pickup and carefully lift it out of the pickup cavity and flip it over to expose the bottom of the pickup.

• 3

  Look for a stamp or logo on the top or bottom side of the humbuckers. Carefully pay attention to the style, color, and lettering on the manufacturing name or logo. For example, some Gibson humbuckers are stamped with the lettering Gibson USA. On newer models, "Gibson" is slanted and "USA" is shaded. The "EMG" on EMG humbuckers is color coded. EMG used a silver logo for EMG-81 humbuckers and a gold logo for EMG-85 humbuckers.

• 4

  Pay attention to the color of the wiring. Write this detail down as well. Gibson humbuckers use silverfish grey wiring that is textured and not smooth

• 5

  Research various styles and models of humbucker pickups. Put together all the details that you have collected and find out more about the manufacturer.