Guitars with Triple Humbucker Configurations

[3'scompany]

Re: Guitars with Triple Humbucker Configurations

I've never played a 3 'bucker guitar but I could see it being very annoying. That area is right where I normally do a lot of my aggressive strumming and I hate hitting my cuticles on my strings or pickup rings. One more obstacle in the way just wouldn't bode well for me, I don't think. I'm also quite happy with my current humbucker sounds so I see no reason for one in my future.

But 3 P-90's can look pretty bad ass.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Guitars with Triple Humbucker Configurations

yes
yes
YES...


HATE THE THINGS from the getting in the way standpoint. I also do not like the sound of a full bucker in the middle position. I prefer the mix of the neck/bridge on your typical Gibson setup by far.

For that matter when I do have a strat on occasion, I roll the middle pup on those down as well. But unlike what I said above about a middle bucker, I really like the tone of the middle pup on a strat.

 

[YJM_Rocks]

Re: Guitars with Triple Humbucker Configurations

No pickup has ever been in the way for me, but honestly, I see a whole lot more use in a middle single coil.

 

[theodie]

Re: Guitars with Triple Humbucker Configurations

Short answer: not really.

Long Answer: With stock wiring on a 3 pickup les paul, the middle toggle position gives you the bridge+middle pickup, not the middle pickup alone...so you never really hear the middle pickup by itself. I first rewired mine so I had the middle on a separate volume control (like discussed, above)...but this was cumbersome to change on the fly, and still really did not give the middle by itself (turning the bridge and neck pickups down all the way shorts out the signal, so I never got the middle all alone).

I then used push pull pots to be able to turn the middle on by itself or in combination with the others...and I was not impressed by the sound of the middle humbucker by itself. I replaced the stock gibson with a PG, which was better, but still not great in that position. I switched it to a PhatCat and now I love it. It is currently my main guitar, with the PG in the bridge, a PhatCat in the middle, and another PhatCat in the neck (HSS!!). By the way, with the PhatCat in the middle, the B+M and N+M positions get much closer to that "strat quack" than with the HB in the middle...not the same, of course, but in that family of sounds.

That is a hell of any idea for an HSS setup!!!! Hmmm......

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Guitars with Triple Humbucker Configurations

I can't/couldn't stand it,even on my Strats the mid p/up is disconnected & dropped flush w/ the p/g...

 

[blueman335]

Re: Guitars with Triple Humbucker Configurations

We've come to same solution. A triple HB guitar is best as a HSS (Phat Cat in middle & neck) or as an HSH. Gibson/Epiphone should have corrected this a LONG time ago, instead of worrying about being "historical" they should have been more interested in tone quality. Other manufacturers are more flexible in their thinking, and went with HSH & HSS configurations, which produced far more usable tones, and they in turn sold FAR more of these than Gibson & Epiphone ever did of their HHH's. Talk about asleep at the switch. Everyone else blew them away with their triple PU guitars.

As for an improved wiring harness: having the bridge with a coil cut, where you can shut off either coil, you can mix & blend the middle & neck Phat Cats in twelve usable combinations, as opposed to the stock Gibson set up of 3 HB's, with only half as many choices, some of which are poor, and most require two hand movements to select. Dialing a middle PU in & out with a volume control (stock Gibson wiring) is the most awkward way to do this.

On triple HB's (with a Phat Cat or two) I have the bridge HB with it's own volume & tone (2 push-pulls, one for coil cut & one for phase). The neck & middle SC's share a blend pot so that I can use one motion to go from bridge to middle, or bridge to neck. Much faster than the Gibson wiring.

 

[Pete Galati]

Re: Guitars with Triple Humbucker Configurations

Haven't played a 3-humbucker guitar, but years ago I took a '62 or '63 Epi Melody Maker that I bought as a wreck at one store, and 3 custom ordered Duncan Jazz P90s that I bought on sale at another store (I guess someone ordered them, but never bought them) and put them together.

It was something that could be dealt with, but the middle P90 was definitely in the way. I always regretted doing the 3-P90 thing.

The 3-humbucker thing look good I guess. I'm not sure if I'd want it though. I'm sort of more into less pickups right now. The strings seem to ring better.

 

[metalspider]

Re: Guitars with Triple Humbucker Configurations

you know there is such a thing as a rotary switch if you really don't want to have the strat style 5 way on your gibson style guitar with 3 pickups.

i find a middle pickup single coil gets in the way,so a full size hum? forget about it.

 

[Truant]

Re: Guitars with Triple Humbucker Configurations

I've never had a problem with them getting in the way.

That said, I was always disappointed in the pickup selection choices. The new wiring/switching design in the Jimmy Page Custom Shop Black Beauty really nailed what I wanted a 3 HB guitar to be able to do (except I'd probably like to add middle pickup alone as well). Of course, I'd never be able to afford one.

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: Guitars with Triple Humbucker Configurations

I'd say maybe.

I've played several 22-fret HSS guitars with no problem but once I got to a 24-fret HSH I kept hitting the middle SC so...

I guess I could get used to it but I'll first have to see to be able to tell for sure

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Guitars with Triple Humbucker Configurations

How hard are you guys digging in with your picks if you're hitting pickups and stuff? I've never understood or experienced this problem.

I will say though that middle humbuckers typically sound like a bag of ass. I've tried a couple, and also had a conversation with a friend who used to own a 3 pickup LP Custom. They sound weak and toneless to me. I think it has something to do with harmonic nodes.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Guitars with Triple Humbucker Configurations

I saw a green 3-pickup Les Paul Custom not too long ago. man that was sweet.

I always said it's pointless to have a Les Paul with any less than 3 humbuckers...but now that i'm so used to my SG-X, and after seeing Mountain a few months ago, I think a Les Paul with just 1 humbucker (and no ugly route where the neck humbucker should be) would be sexiest.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Guitars with Triple Humbucker Configurations

Does a middle bucker sound any good??? I have never played one.

I see middle pickups more of an opportunity to get an entirely different pickup in. I have a Quarter Pounder Strat in the middle of an Ash Strat-alike and like it a lot.

I often play where the neck pickup is anyway, so I'm not too disturbed by the middle pickup.

 

[StrangeSound]

Re: Guitars with Triple Humbucker Configurations

I, personally, hate the looks of 3HBs and yes I think it can get in the way.

 

[Philcguitars]

Re: Guitars with Triple Humbucker Configurations

Matt,

I love the hot rod! Where'd you see that? Surely it isn't your taste?

 

[Philcguitars]

Re: Guitars with Triple Humbucker Configurations

Does anybody think it might be a better set up to have on a Flat top where all the pups are the same distance from the strings, rather than progressively closer?

In Ratherdashing's case,

I'd say it all depends on how close to the strings you like your pups, I guess. I've never been one to have them that close, but close enough for the signal, before any of you guys come back with that!

 

[guitarded]

Re: Guitars with Triple Humbucker Configurations

I have a brother who was playing a Phil Colin Destroyer back in the 80's and it was horrible. There was no room to pick.

This is a question about playing the guitar, not how the Pickup works or sounds.

I'm told, that if you have THREE humbuckers, 2 out of 3 guys will hate it and return the guitar to the shop!

Why?

Because you hit the middle pickup when you pick!

Anyone care to agree or disagree?

I've done my own epxeriment, but am looking for your views.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Guitars with Triple Humbucker Configurations

i have gas again to set up my MIM with 3 humbuckers again.... but ya i enjoy the look more then the sound i guess in the end... but the tone is not bad at all.... i liked the fact that the PU's i had in it were all even in output in their postions....

i have a dream to try Dimarzio's in a 3 humbucker strat as well.... a PAF Pro and 2 PAF's.... i really liked the JB/Yamaha Pac PU /Jazz set up i had once... it was nice... i also had JB/Custom/Jazz...

 

[Aceman]

Re: Guitars with Triple Humbucker Configurations

I pick right above the bridge pup, just past the ring, closer to the neck. It's right in the gap between the bridge and middle bucker. All of them I have played three, maybe four, were stock. So I can't say about middle alone, or if it was the right pup.

My BELIEF is that a PGneck, distoriton neck in the middle, and Custom bridge, would be the best combo for three pups.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Guitars with Triple Humbucker Configurations

- and because of Ace Frehley

And what more reason do we need than that!

Althought... the Space Ace's were often fake and/orscrewed down all the way.