Best Single coiled humbucker for Stratocaster

[Prolik]

I tend to put pickup in my 1978 ash/maple Stratocaster guitar,bridge position,single-coiled humbucker.

I have installed Seymour Duncan Hot Rails,and after while I realize that bridge solo sound is so warm and smooth/rounded that it sounds more like neck pickup!Too creamy...
Bass strings are bad sounding too,no definition at all, just massive punch of bass and middle...My power chords at 1.to 3.fret have no definition,and I cant really produce true humbucker sound there...

I miss some bite,definition,and aggression and could not scream at all. I'm thinking here on some Gibson pickup sound; screaming solos,yet rich and warm,with little compression.

I cut some gain down on my pedal,and get some definition on power chords/riffs,but seems to me I missed the point..

So,which single-coiled pickup,bridge position for screaming solos,yet rich and warm..

DiMarzio Tech recommended Pro Track, and Seymour technician mentioned JB junior,but any extra recommendations and maybe sound samples will be helpful!!!:33:

 

[ErikH]

Re: Best Single coiled humbucker for Stratocaster

Hi and welcome to the forum. Have you tried adjusting the height of the hot rails? Too close and you'll start losing some definition and clarity.

My favorite single-coil size humbucker is the Little '59 and is my recommendation. Hot enough to cut through and give me the punch I want, but cool enough to not overpower the middle and neck singles.

What amp/settings are you playing through?

 

[theodie]

Re: Best Single coiled humbucker for Stratocaster

The little 59 is wonderful IMO! It does sound like a bucker!!! when I installed one I didnt think it was going to sound that way but, it did! I find the Hot Rails a bit warm/darker myself also!

 

[Young Angus]

Re: Best Single coiled humbucker for Stratocaster

Id prefer a lil screamin demon over a lil 59...but ive only had personal experience with a lil 59 of those two...i can vouch for a JB Jr though and i think that would be your best bet because ive got one in the neck of a guitar and it sounds very clear and fat at the same time...great little bucker!

Go the JB Jr!

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Best Single coiled humbucker for Stratocaster

I'm really digging the Cool Rails as a full set.

BTW, the Lil PG I got from Dave is THE mutt's nuts. :burnout:

 

[Prolik]

Re: Best Single coiled humbucker for Stratocaster

Hi and welcome to the forum. Have you tried adjusting the height of the hot rails? Too close and you'll start losing some definition and clarity.

My favorite single-coil size humbucker is the Little '59 and is my recommendation. Hot enough to cut through and give me the punch I want, but cool enough to not overpower the middle and neck singles.

What amp/settings are you playing through?

Well,I have Hot rod Deluxe 2*12 Fender Amp,playing through clean channel,and have Radial Tonebone pedal(sometimes DS-1 MIJ) for high gain solos/riffs...

Hot Rails doesn't have bite I have with,for example JS-1000 guitar loaded with PAF FRED humbucker,or Gibson LP humbucker sound.-Screaming,articulate,yet rounded/not shrill or treblish!Don't really care for in between positions..

I can't make choice between JBjunior,Little Screamin' demon,little '59 and Dimarzio Pro Track,Tone Zone s..

I want some more output for legato/tapping solo runs,but don't want to lose articulation/punch..Just which one emulates best/real humbucker (Gibson like) sound?

Thnx for your time

 

[ErikH]

Re: Best Single coiled humbucker for Stratocaster

Ok, now that we know more about your rig, Little '59 hands down. I think the JB Jr. will be a little too hot.

 

[Prolik]

Re: Best Single coiled humbucker for Stratocaster

Yes,I consider little 59 my self..
Sound,on seymour duncan pages,have more bite,clarity than JBJr or Hot rails..Screaming demon seems to be to bright,especially for my maple/ash Strat..
I just hope I want loose to much power(output) for my fast solo staff (in style of Gary Moore,Satriani,K.Hammet etc..)as Little 59 is lower output then JB or HR..

 

[ErikH]

Re: Best Single coiled humbucker for Stratocaster

I understand your concern on the output. My theory there is to let the amp do the work. Some of the best and clearest solos are done with low output pickups.

 

[Kosh Naranek]

Re: Best Single coiled humbucker for Stratocaster

I want some more output for legato/tapping solo runs,but don't want to lose articulation/punch..Just which one emulates best/real humbucker (Gibson like) sound?

Thnx for your time

If you're after a vintage humbucker sound, I'll add my vote for a Li'l 59. If you want a little more edge and more crunch for doing rock rhythm stuff, go with a Li'l Screamin Demon. I have a Li'l Screamin Demon in the bridge of one of my Hamer Mirages. It sounds very aggressive and rock n' roll, cuts through a mix very well, great articulation and punch, but it's not just tons of output like a Hot Rails.

I had a JB Jr in my ESP guitar and I took it out because it was too bright and edgy. If your guitar is not very bright sounding, it may work fine for you. It does have good output and clarity and articulation. It just gets too harsh when you put it in a guitar with a maple top and ebony fretboard.

Another pickup I'm real happy with is the Dimarzio Tone Zone S. I have one in the ESP guitar I took the JB Jr out of, as well as my other Hamer Mirage. It's hotter than a Screamin Demon and probably than a JB Jr, has a fat midrange, and the high end isn't harsh of screechy.