Humbucker for California Fat Strat?

[Rick1114]

Hi all!
I jus stumbled on this very interesting site while researching a new bridge pickup for my California Fat Strat. I have already replaced the 2 single coil tex-mex pickups with Dunkin's (I think the guy put in Alnico's - they are much quieter & warmer than the texas, which I hated).

Now I'm noticing that I never use the stock Humbucker at all, just sounds thin and shrill compared to the new single coils. Can anyone recommend a humbucker that will fit in nicely? I'd like a nice warm lead tone (Santana), but also don't want to miss out on some modern high gain crunch when I feel like belting out heavier tunes. (Alice in Chains/GnR/Metallica).

Any Recommendations?

Thanks,

Rick

 

[Rick1114]

Re: Humbucker for California Fat Strat?

b-u-m-p
:help:

 

[Artie]

Re: Humbucker for California Fat Strat?

Hi Rick; welcome to the forum. I'll jump in here since no one else has yet, but I don't have quite as much experience with as many pups as most of these guys.

However, I like both the 59 and the Custom 5 in the bridge. To my ears, the 59 is the smoother, "nicer" pup, but will rock when asked. The C5, to me, is brighter, but still rich. It always reminds me of "country" when I select it. Has a bit of the "twang" factor going for it, but I know that other folks hear it differently.

Others should be along soon, to add their comments. Pull up a chair. You'll like this place.

Artie

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Humbucker for California Fat Strat?

Welcome to the forum! Like Artie, I'd recommend the 59 B and personally, I'd make it a Trembucker to match the wider string spacing of Fender guitars. The 59 has about the same output and a similar tone as the pickups Clapton used with Cream, EVH used on the first couple of Van Halen albums and which Santana has used and continues to use. It will rock just fine and push the daylights out of a cranked Marshall or similar amp. Any hotter of a humbucker might be to hot for your single coils and might overpower them or give you a huge volume jump when you switch to the bridge pickup after playing rythym on your neck or middle single coils...something to keep in mind. I use the 59 Trembucker in two of my Strats...it's my fave and like I said, gets great Clapton, EVH and Santana type tones. IMO, the Custom, Custom 5 and Custom Custom are terrific pickups with a neck humbucker but a little strong and "loud" to use with vintage output neck and middle single coils. Just my opinion. Lew

 

[theodie]

Re: Humbucker for California Fat Strat?

SD TB-11 custom custom all the way!!!!! Nice and warm and very smooth. I think that will work pefectly for what you want.

 

[Artie]

Re: Humbucker for California Fat Strat?

Rick; If you decide to go the 59 route, there's several folks over in the trading post with some to sell:

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=14771

Lew; If the Strat had a matched set of Quarter Pound's in it, (neck & middle), would a 59b still be your choice? Or . . . ?

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Humbucker for California Fat Strat?

SD TB-11 custom custom all the way!!!!! Nice and warm and very smooth. I think that will work pefectly for what you want.

I think the same. Besides, if you install a push/pull pot with the CC, you can drop a coil on it and get good bridge and middle combos.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Humbucker for California Fat Strat?

Rick; If you decide to go the 59 route, there's several folks over in the trading post with some to sell:

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=14771

Lew; If the Strat had a matched set of Quarter Pound's in it, (neck & middle), would a 59b still be your choice? Or . . . ?

You know, I haven't tried the Quarter Pounders with a bridge humbucker so I don't have an opinion. :smack: Sorry! I like vintage output pickups for the most part...that's where most of my experience is at. Lew

 

[Artie]

Re: Humbucker for California Fat Strat?

You know, I haven't tried the Quarter Pounders with a bridge humbucker so I don't have an opinion. :smack: Sorry! I like vintage output pickups for the most part...that's where most of my experience is at. Lew

Thanks for checking back Lew. This QP came as part of a great package deal that I got from someone over at the Peavey forum, so I thought I'd give it a try.

 

[Xeromus]

Re: Humbucker for California Fat Strat?

Pearly Gates might be an option too

 

[Rick1114]

Re: Humbucker for California Fat Strat?

Thanks for the replies guys...

I'll have to look into the TB-11 or the 59'....

-Rick