Are Humbuckers completely noiseless???

I recently had a Lil 59 and a Duncan STR-1 installed in my Tele.

I've always heard that humbuckers are noiseless. I don't hear the cycle hum that I used to on the single coil, but its not completely noiseless. The sound is very faint, it more like a hiss than a hum. Is that normal?

The neck pickup is a single coil and I get the same noise. I figured it would be different than the humbucker.

Its not really annoying, its just there. Pickup changes are completely new to me so I just don't know if this is the norm.

I'm using a Vox Mini3 if that makes a difference.

I've always heard that humbuckers are noiseless. I don't hear the cycle hum that I used to on the single coil ...

Humbucking pickups were designed to do one thing (in addition to sensing the string): to reject common-mode hum induced by the ambient electromagnetic field. That is, the background radiation from AC current is everywhere there is AC, and it's at pretty much the same level in any localized area. There will be an induced current in any coil of wire that is in such an electromagnetic field. This is "60-cycle hum". By putting two coils in series but out-of-phase, the hum induced into the first coil will be 180 degrees out-of-phase with the hum induced into the second coil, the two hum signals will add together, and therefore will cancel each other out. Other signals emanating from the two coils that are not exactly out-of-phase will not cancel each other.

Think of it this way. A number of sine waves of electrical current of different frequencies and amplitudes are being produced by a pickup coil. If you add a second coil in the same place and provide it with the same stimulus, it will put out the same collection of sine waves. Connect the two coils in series, and the sine waves will combine additively. If furthermore you connect the coils together out-of-phase (+ to -), then any signal that is exactly the same in each coil will have been cancelled out at the output of the second coil.

In the real world, of course, the coils are never exactly matched, and they're never exactly in the same place, so in practice a little of the hum can get through.

Moreover, there are many other sources of noise in electrical systems. It's part of the deal, you can't get away from it. By using more and more expensive components and very careful design, you can diminish the noise, as in the amplifiers used in radio telescopes - but guitars and guitar amps don't fall into this category. If you want to read about one of the classic scientific discoveries that has relevance to this, read up on how Penzias and Wilson discovered the Cosmic Background Radiation.

So, as is the case with so much else in the guitar world, calling a pickup "noiseless" is at best hyperbole. Some noise is inescapable.

Thanks for the response. This all new to me. I'm just baffled why the single coil and the humbucker produce the same amount of noise. I figured there would be a noticable difference.

Thanks for the response. This all new to me. I'm just baffled why the single coil and the humbucker produce the same amount of noise. I figured there would be a noticable difference.

Only in common-mode induced noise, like 60-cycle hum. Electrical circuit noise will always be present.

And be aware that not all noise comes from the pickups, or from the guitar. Amplifiers produce a lot of noise. Even mains power can cause noise.

Only in common-mode induced noise, like 60-cycle hum. Electrical circuit noise will always be present.

And be aware that not all noise comes from the pickups, or from the guitar. Amplifiers produce a lot of noise. Even mains power can cause noise.

It probably was already there and I just never noticed because of the cycle hum that was previously there.

Also, the humbucker to me doesn't seem as loud as the single coil that was in there. Is that common? My amp volume levels are no where near what I've previously been using.

I think it may actually be the Vox Mini3. Apparently the noise I am hearing is a common complaint. I'm guessing it was already there and just never noticed. I've got two other amps that I will try it on tonight.

I only paid $40 for the amp and it runs on AA batteries so I can't complain to much.

my wide range humbuckers produce the same loud hum as the bridge pickup in my 72 custom tele RI. can anyone tell me what that is about. i think grounding.

...the humbucker to me doesn't seem as loud as the single coil that was in there. Is that common? ...

It's certainly possible. Some possible causes, in no particular order, are:
1. you misremember how loud the single coil was
2. you have the humbucker too low; try adjusting it closer to the strings (did you adjust the other single coil pickup height as well?)
3. you've miswired the humbucker in some way

Different pickups have different output levels. Just as there are loud and not-so-loud single coils, there are loud and not-so-loud humbuckers. Depends on manufacturer and model.

It's certainly possible. Some possible causes, in no particular order, are:
1. you misremember how loud the single coil was
2. you have the humbucker too low; try adjusting it closer to the strings (did you adjust the other single coil pickup height as well?)
3. you've miswired the humbucker in some way

I had it installed since I wasn't comfortable installing it myself. I'm mainly basing it on the fact that I have to turn the master volume further to the right than usual before I am satisfied.

Some amplifiers make noise by themselves, and Gibson-style humbuckers are not noiseless.

I think it may actually be the Vox Mini3. Apparently the noise I am hearing is a common complaint. I'm guessing it was already there and just never noticed. I've got two other amps that I will try it on tonight.

I only paid $40 for the amp and it runs on AA batteries so I can't complain to much.

Not sure if this totally applies here, but noise can come from effects, too - If you have a flanger going into your amp for example, it can make a bunch of noise, without even having a guitar plugged in at all. 'Buckers cut back on 60-cycle hum, not on other artificial noises you add to your chain. Since your amp is a modeling amp, I'm wondering if you don't have some of the effects going while you're hearing this noise.

I'd do a real Pepsi challenge - plug a single coil guitar with no effects straight into an amp (preferably one with no on-board effects, or with all effects turned off) and listen, and then do the same with a 'bucker-equipped guitar. Use the same cord, and just one cord, and the same amp. I'm certain you'll hear a difference. If not, you need to have your wiring checked in your 'bucker guitar.

It was the amp. I plugged it in to my Pro Jr last night and it was not there. I was really impressed how well it sounded.