Bridge mini 'bucker to go with Strat single coils?

[Stratfan]

I've decided to put a 'bucker in the bridge of my favorite Strat, instead of having 2 Strats (S/S/S plus H/H). I just didn't see the need for a neck 'bucker in a Strat. My soon to be gone H/H Strat has a '59 Trembucker in the bridge. The full-sized '59 is great for distorted classic rock-type music, but seems lifeless (IMO) when clean. I'd like to get a single coil sized 'bucker that'll do well with distortion, but also have nice clean tones and a usable quack when combined with the middle pup. (My Strat has the Amer. Series Delta-Tone single coils in it.) What do you think? The Lil' 59 sounds promising, if its clean is nicer than the full-sized '59. I don't want a super high-output pup. My tastes range from Motown/Oldies to Classic/Southern Rock. I have a Jeckyll & Hyde pedal to give me all the gain I need. I just want a bridge pup that's a little hotter, warmer, and fuller-sounding than my stock bridge pup. I know it sounds like I'm describing a full-sized 'bucker, but wouldn't a single coil sized one be close enough? All suggestions and opinions welcome! Thanks.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Bridge mini 'bucker to go with Strat single coils?

Do you need a mini humbucker, or a single coil sized humbucker?

 

[gooswyn]

Re: Bridge mini 'bucker to go with Strat single coils?

to Mr. Stratfan :
i suggest to you just trying lil screamin demon. it has a very nice clean sound while still rock when distorted.

 

[Stratfan]

Re: Bridge mini 'bucker to go with Strat single coils?

Good eye there, Benjy_26! I meant to say "single coil sized 'bucker", not mini 'bucker. Thanks for pointing that out...I edited the post.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Bridge mini 'bucker to go with Strat single coils?

I like the Cool Rails myself, and if you don't mind going with Dimarzio, the Fast Track 1 blends very well with the middle pickup.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Bridge mini 'bucker to go with Strat single coils?

I'm not a huge fan of Strat sized humbuckers but I like the JB JR neck model but used as a bridge pickup the best of all of them.

I'd also consider a Fralin Steel Pole 43. It's not a humbucker but it's my favorite "P-90 in a Strat size" pickup. Great bridge pickup in a Strat!

 

[Stratfan]

Re: Bridge mini 'bucker to go with Strat single coils?

I've been listening to the sound clips, but they all sound pretty much the same on my computer. I've also read reviews on Harmony Central, but the opinions there are all over the place! I guess that I need to figure out which will better suit my needs: full sized or single coil sized. I don't want to lose that quack in the #2 position (bridge/middle). As long as I can still get the quack sound I need, I could live with a bridge 'bucker that doesn't have the greatest clean sound. (I still have the neck and middle pups for clean.)

Okay, which one (full size or single coil size) sounds better split combined with the middle pup?

 

[Stratfan]

Re: Bridge mini 'bucker to go with Strat single coils?

Lewguitar, I see that you have 2 Strats with the '59 Trembucker in the bridge. One has a PG neck, so does the other one have single coils or another brand of humbucker? If it's single coils, how does the '59 sound with them?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Bridge mini 'bucker to go with Strat single coils?

Lewguitar, I see that you have 2 Strats with the '59 Trembucker in the bridge. One has a PG neck, so does the other one have single coils or another brand of humbucker? If it's single coils, how does the '59 sound with them?

One is a single humbucker guitar...sort of Van Halenish. I'll be trying a Custom Shop '78 in it someday. But I love the 59B or 59 Trembucker as a bridge pickup in a Strat. Works great for me...especially through a cranked Marshall or vintage Fender amp modded for a Marshall type tonal personality.

Personally, I think the 59 Trembucker works beautifully with vintage output Strat single coils. Any hotter than a 59 seems to overpower the single coils...at least to me. I tried a JB as a bridge pickup and though it had great tone it was way to hot for my tastes when combined with vintage output Strat single coils.

I got the idea of using a 59B with Strat single coils from Seymour himself, who originally suggested a Duncan Jazz neck used as a bridge pickup for the best balance.

But I wanted something a little stronger so I use the 59 instead of the Jazz.

Lew

 

[Stratfan]

Re: Bridge mini 'bucker to go with Strat single coils?

I'm glad I went with the '59 Trembucker; the JB would've probably been too hot for me. It's hard trying to decide on a replacement pick-up; there are so many different ones. I know that I might have to try a few before I find the right one, that's why I need to decide on full sized vs. single coil sized. I don't want to end up having to swap pickguards as well as pups!

Since I like the distorted sound of my '59 Trembucker, I'll have to choose either that or the Lil '59.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Bridge mini 'bucker to go with Strat single coils?

You will not get the same tone or same output from a little 59 as you get from your full size 59. The little 59 will be smaller sounding and lower in output than a full size 59B.

Lew

 

[Stratfan]

Re: Bridge mini 'bucker to go with Strat single coils?

If there's that much of a difference, maybe I better stick with the full sized pup. Thanks!

 

[stratsandaks]

Re: Bridge mini 'bucker to go with Strat single coils?

I've been listening to the sound clips, but they all sound pretty much the same on my computer.

Do you have a Cd burner? I find it easier to burn the sound clips that I am interested in to a CD and then I'll listen to them on my stereo. The differences are much easier to hear through decent speakers.