I am considering changing the pickups in my USA Deluxe Strat, sss and S1, and want a humbucker in the bridge position. Are the humbuckers that fit in a single coil space the same as a regular humbucker or is there a downside to using them? My cavity is routed to hold a real humbucker and I can just get a new pickgaurd if necessary so I'm open to opinions.
There are stacked humbuckers in a single coil size by both dirmarzio and seymour duncan. IMO you won't get a true humbucking sound without using a Humbucker however. I used a Seyomour Duncan Custom 5 (TB-14)on my Strat with the SCN's and it is a good mix. Nice full sound but not too hot so that it doesn't go with the SCN's. I have 1 500K volume pot and it works well with both the SCN's and the TB-14. I ordered a pickguard from Terrapin guitars and was very impressed with the quality and selection. http://www.terrapinguitars.com/pg2009/strat/index.htm
There are stacked humbuckers in a single coil size by both dirmarzio and seymour duncan. IMO you won't get a true humbucking sound without using a Humbucker however. I used a Seyomour Duncan Custom 5 (TB-14)on my Strat with the SCN's and it is a good mix. Nice full sound but not too hot so that it doesn't go with the SCN's. I have 1 500K volume pot and it works well with both the SCN's and the TB-14. I ordered a pickguard from Terrapin guitars and was very impressed with the quality and selection. http://www.terrapinguitars.com/pg2009/strat/index.htm
That's a lot to digest for a sonic novice
I hope that I live long enough to appreciate it.
You guys sure are full of knowledge.
There are stacked humbuckers in a single coil size by both dirmarzio and seymour duncan. IMO you won't get a true humbucking sound without using a Humbucker however. I used a Seyomour Duncan Custom 5 (TB-14)on my Strat with the SCN's and it is a good mix. Nice full sound but not too hot so that it doesn't go with the SCN's. I have 1 500K volume pot and it works well with both the SCN's and the TB-14. I ordered a pickguard from Terrapin guitars and was very impressed with the quality and selection. http://www.terrapinguitars.com/pg2009/strat/index.htm
I sort of agree, though it depends on what type of humbucker sound you want. Are you looking for a "vintage" type relatively low output alnico magnet sort of sound, a high output overwound type, or a full on mega output and ceramic magnet metal type with scooped mids? Or something entirely different to those?
If you want to keep the 3 single coil look you might have to hunt arround to find a pickup that gives you the sound you want, but don't that forget the pot and capacitor values will effect your sound too.
__________________ I started making guitars because no one made the guitars I wanted, but every time I finish one I think I want something else! Rob
I sort of agree, though it depends on what type of humbucker sound you want. Are you looking for a "vintage" type relatively low output alnico magnet sort of sound, a high output overwound type, or a full on mega output and ceramic magnet metal type with scooped mids? Or something entirely different to those?
If you want to keep the 3 single coil look you might have to hunt arround to find a pickup that gives you the sound you want, but don't that forget the pot and capacitor values will effect your sound too.
I don't need a pickup for super high gain metal mania. Got a guitar for that. Something that is good for 70's-80's classic rock and early Van Halen would be great. Are there any stacked PUs that would work well or do you have a suggestion on a standard HB? Thanks
Well, a stacked HB will not sound like a traditional HB. It will get rid of the hum associated with single coil PUs. The sound of the Stacked HBs in a Strat is sweet, but if you're expecting the punchy mids of a HB you'll be disappointed. The sound is more like a compressed Strat with some nice sparkly overtones. I recommend either a Lindy Fralin 9K PAF or A Gibson PAF Plus. These PUs are med to low output and that's what you'll need to cop that early VH sound, the output of these PUs will let the amps OD tone enhance the nice harmonic overtones that PUs produce. The Gibson 490T is also a great PU for this. The fralin PU comes in a F spacing for Fender bridges which are wider than Gibson's units which allow the pole pieces to lineup with the strings on a Strat.
Just a suggestion-if you plan on doing pickup swaps in a Deluxe strat, the S-1 wiring is pretty complicated. I didn't like the S-1 at all so when I changed pickups, I removed all the S-1 wiring and rewired the guitar for standard 5-way switching. Had I wanted to keep the S-1, I think I would have needed more experience and know-how to do it right.
Just a suggestion-if you plan on doing pickup swaps in a Deluxe strat, the S-1 wiring is pretty complicated. I didn't like the S-1 at all so when I changed pickups, I removed all the S-1 wiring and rewired the guitar for standard 5-way switching. Had I wanted to keep the S-1, I think I would have needed more experience and know-how to do it right.
I still haven't done anything but when I'm ready I thought I might just pull the whole pick guard out and buy a new one with all new pickups. That way if I ever sell the guitar I can just pop the old one back in. I don't mind the original pickups but I never use the S-1 system and there are pickups I like the sound of more.
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