What's The Difference Between A Humbucker And A P-90 Guitar Pickup

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Both the humbucker and the P-90 pickup were originally the creation of the Gibson Guitar Corporation. The original version of the P-90 was known as the PU-90 and was designed by Guy Hart and Walt Fullers in the 1940's - the Les Paul version arrived later, consisting of the same basic plate but without the side brackets. It wasn't until 1956 that the now legendary humbucking pickup designed by Seth Lover of Gibson arrived on the scene.

So how do these two styles of pickups vary?

Well first off the P-90 is a single coil pickup and the humbucker consists of two coils. Not only do they sound very different but electronically there are some very different things going on.

An average P-90 is constructed with approximately 10,000 winds of 42 AWG enamel-coated wire around a black plastic bobbin, which are subsequently covered in a black paper tape. These winds give a reading of approximately 8,000 ohms. Positioned under the black bobbin are two Alnico magnets in a magnetically opposed configuration. The original versions used Alnico 3 magnets but the type of Alnico varied over time. Screws fit into a centre steel bar which is positioned between the magnets and directly above a nickel steel baseplate. Braided wire is used and a cream or black plastic cover.

A trditional humbucker is constructed with approximately 5,000 winds of 42 AWG enamel-coated wire around two black plastic bobbins. These winds give a combined reading of approximately 7,800 ohms. The two bobbins are wound in the same direction but the start and end of each coil are out of phase with each other when connected together. One side hot and the other side ground. This clever system is what creates the hum canceling effect craved by many guitarists requiring quiet, hum free pickups. The coils are covered in black paper tape, and sit above one Alnico magnet. Once again, the rating of the Alnico magnets varied with time. Screws pass through one bobbin into a steel bar and steel slugs go through the other bobbin. A steel baseplate, braided hookup wire and a nickel cover complete the pickup.

When it comes to performance it's down to personal preference. The humbucker is more popular as many players love the quiet, flexible performance, but the P-90 has won many fans due to its raunchy growling sound. Nowadays both versions come with different performance specs for different music styles which include varied magnets and windings.

It has to be said that both types sound great to my ears and look fantastic on an old vintage Les Paul.