A humbucker is a type of electric guitar pickup designed to cancel out electromagnetic interference, which reduces unwanted noise and hum. It consists of two coils wound in opposite directions, allowing it to pick up the sound of the guitar strings while minimizing background noise. This design results in a thicker, warmer tone compared to single-coil pickups. Humbuckers are commonly used in various music genres, especially in rock and jazz. They were invented in the 1950s by Gibson and have since become a standard feature in many electric guitars, including models like the Gibson Les Paul and Fender guitars.