Duckbuckers, single coils, & other oddities

[memofromturner]

Hey all, new around here... I'd like to know a bit more about the "Duckbuckers". As I understand it, they are 4 conductor humbuckers in a single coil configuration. But can they be wired for phase reversal via switch, (i.e. between neck and mid)? Do these pickups sound much different than coil tapping two humbuckers?

Also, I would really dig it if anyone with these pickups would be willing to demo their sound (clean preferably), as I can't really tell much from the samples on the SD site. -Just a few chords, notes, bends, or if you just want to go la la la la, I would really appreciate it.

I was nearly ready to pull the trigger on Lindy Fralins Blues Specials, but now I'm not sure. If it helps, I suppose the style I'm going for here is Mark Knopfler.

Thanks,

memo

 

[Artie]

Re: Duckbuckers, single coils, & other oddities

Hi memo; Welcome to the forum.

The only part of your question that I can comment on is, you probably wouldn't want to split a Duck, because you'ld only have pole pieces under three strings. I believe the 4-wire was intended to give you series/parallel options.

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Duckbuckers, single coils, & other oddities

The ducks and Vintage Rails are not 4 conductor pickups. They are wired in parallel internally and only have a red, white and plain wire. Since this is the case you cannot split a Duck or a VR.

The Ducks and VRs are known for a great Strat-type single coil tone and many folks including Paul at PRS think they are some of the best sounding hum free single coil toned pickups out there and he used them in his swamp ash specials. I don't know if PRS still uses them at this time though.

The Ducks and VRs will get you a very close Knopfler tone. If the reason you are considering the Ducks or VRs is that you want a hum free guitar, the "still waiting to be released" SD Stack plus pickups sound incredible. Dead ringer single coil tone and looks in a hum free package. I have a set I beta tested for SD and they really are to die for. Hopefully they will be released soon.

If you tell me more about what you intend to do with the Ducks, I can better inform you as to whether you have a good plan or not. If hum is not an issue, the SSL line of SD pickups are also very good.

 

[Artie]

Re: Duckbuckers, single coils, & other oddities

The ducks and Vintage Rails are not 4 conductor pickups.

I thought the new ones were. I think there's a thread around here somewhere, where Evan said they're going to be made 4-wire now so folks have the option of series or parallel.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Duckbuckers, single coils, & other oddities

I can imagine them not doing that on the DUcks and VRs though for exactly the reason you stated, Artie (poles only under 3 strings)

 

[Artie]

Re: Duckbuckers, single coils, & other oddities

Here's the thread:

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=36390

Perhaps its only the VR's and not the Ducks.

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Duckbuckers, single coils, & other oddities

Artie, you dare to question the mighty Oz?!!!

(ignore the man behind the curtian)

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Duckbuckers, single coils, & other oddities

You wouldn't want to split a VR or Duck but series/parallel might be a cool option for an output/mids boost.

 

[Artie]

Re: Duckbuckers, single coils, & other oddities

Artie, you dare to question the mighty Oz?!!!

I lost my head for a second there. :laugh2: