Just as a classic humbucker picks up the string vibration at two distinct points, it eliminates certain frequencies along with the hum. What if there were a humbucker that eliminated fewer frequencies? The sound would be brighter and clearer, almost crystalline. In other words, it would come very close to the sound of a Strat® type pickup, while offering power comparable to that of a PAF®. We designed "The Humbucker From Hell®" primarily for use in the neck position. You will be surprised to see how much it "opens up" the sound on a Gibson® Les Paul®; it even gives an almost acoustic quality when installed in the neck position on a bolt-on neck guitar. Why call it "The Humbucker From Hell®"? Try it in the bridge position with an amp with a bright tone—but wear earplugs first, don't say we didn't warn you!
Okay, we admit it, it's a strange name for a pickup that is not a monster of raw power. But try it in the bridge position with a very bright amp, and you will understand immediately. Our goal was to create a neck pickup offering absolute clarity, because for years we have heard guitarists complain about humbuckers with a sound that is too "muddy" or "fuzzy". This pickup is the solution. Depending on the guitar/amp combination, it can offer an almost acoustic sound; in other configurations, it really comes close to the sound of a Strat®. Apart from its ability to eliminate the hum (the "60-cycle hum"), it has very few similarities with the sound of a standard humbucker.