Dumb Humbucker Question

[Mickster]

Ok....I searched but couldn't find an answer that worked for me......and sorry for the dumb question. I have a pair of Ibanez humbuckers. I need to know if orientation makes any difference when I install them. The upper faces are not covered......and there are two rows of identical looking pole pieces on each.....no adjustable screws. I took them out of a damaged Ibanez and am going to install them in an Epi Special. I know which one was the neck and the bridge pickup but I'm not sure how to orient them in the pickup ring as there are no screws on the top. I guess you get my question.....and sorry because I should know this answer.

 

[Papanate]

I assume Ibanez didn’t orient them to save on install cost - I imagine it doesn’t make much if at all a difference.

 

[TalismanRich]

It really shouldn't make a difference. The coils are going to be the essentially the same, the polarity is reversed and the magnets are flipped.

Occasionally humbuckers can have unbalanced coils, so it might make a small difference whether the dominant coil is placed closer to the bridge or neck. Today, coils are machine wound and the turns of wire are well controlled.

 

[Sky Blue Lou]

The days of the Peter Green backwards coil thing are long gone. If it ever was a thing.

 

[Mickster]

Thanks for the input guys! Much appreciated!

 

[Steenamaroo]

I agree with all of the above but, as an extra point, if the pole heights are adjustable and have been adjusted that'd give you a clue as to how they were previously oriented.

If they aren't adjustable or you plan to set them up yourself then it really shouldn't matter.