Topmusicanswers
Why does a single coil hum?
So, Why do single-coil pickups hum and how can you fix it? In short, the single coils hum because their magnetic coils act as an antenna and are sensitive to external electromagnetic interference from things such as lights, TV's, even your amplifier.
Do single coils always hum?
Single-coils have a clear, bell-like tone with a lot of highs, but they are very prone to pick up hum and noise, and this can be a nightmare in the studio or onstage. If you want to keep your original single-coil pickups—and not swap them out for humbuckers—you can mod your guitar in three steps to banish the noise.
Why do Strats hum?
Stratocasters were designed with 3 single coil pickups. Each of the pickups on it's own produces a loud humming noise. This noise comes from the electrical system, and any other electrical noise that may be around you. The most common noise you hear is the 60 Cycle Hum coming from the power system.
