humbucker: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Specialist / Technical
Quick answer
What does “humbucker” mean?
A type of pickup for an electric guitar that uses two coils wound in opposition to cancel out or 'buck' mains hum (electromagnetic interference).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of pickup for an electric guitar that uses two coils wound in opposition to cancel out or 'buck' mains hum (electromagnetic interference).
A device that reduces unwanted noise in audio equipment, specifically electric guitars, producing a warmer, thicker, and less noisy sound compared to single-coil pickups.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Purely technical, associated with the sound of rock, blues, and heavy metal music.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialist in both dialects, used only within the context of guitars and music technology.
Grammar
How to Use “humbucker” in a Sentence
[guitar/axe] + fitted with + [a/the] humbucker[a/the] humbucker + in/on + [the bridge/neck position]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “humbucker” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The humbucker sound is much warmer.
- He prefers a humbucker-equipped guitar.
American English
- That's a classic humbucker tone.
- I'm looking for a guitar with a humbucker configuration.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in music retail: 'The new model features Seymour Duncan humbuckers as standard.'
Academic
Used in papers on acoustics, electronics, or music technology.
Everyday
Extremely rare outside conversations among guitarists and musicians.
Technical
Primary context. Refers to a specific component in electric guitar design and sound engineering.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “humbucker”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “humbucker”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “humbucker”
- Confusing it with any guitar pickup; it's a specific type. Spelling: 'humbuckler' (incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The humbucking pickup was invented by Seth Lover, an engineer at Gibson, in the mid-1950s (patented 1959).
Not without modification. A humbucker is larger than a single-coil pickup, so the guitar's body typically needs to be routed to accommodate it, or a special pickguard must be used.
P.A.F. stands for 'Patent Applied For', a decal found on the earliest Gibson humbuckers from 1957-1962. They are highly sought after for their specific vintage tone.
Primarily yes, but the humbucking principle (dual-coil noise cancellation) is also used in microphones, scientific instruments, and other audio equipment to reduce electromagnetic interference.
A type of pickup for an electric guitar that uses two coils wound in opposition to cancel out or 'buck' mains hum (electromagnetic interference).
Humbucker is usually specialist / technical in register.
Humbucker: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhʌmˌbʌkə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhəmˌbəkər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HUM (the unwanted noise) + BUCKER (from 'to buck' meaning to oppose). It 'bucks the hum'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOUND IS ELECTRICITY; PURITY IS SILENCE (cancellation of noise yields a pure signal).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a humbucker?