Humbuckers that play nice with single coils?

[IMENATOR]

So once I read an article in the SD website about single coils that play nice with HBs so it was like finding a SC after you have a HB that you already like. Well think of this post as the other way around, for me the Strat the neck pickup is the center of my tone as it is my rythm for clean and overdrive tones as well I can play lead with it too. I am currently very happy with the Custom Stack Plus STK-S6 in neck position (advertised as similar to SSL-5 but noiseless) along with the SSL-1 in the middle, I just want to choose a new humbucker. In the past I had used a JB and volume wise it would match but tone wise I want a humbucker sound that is more open and versatile, I don't want a typical single coil in the bridge as I want a bit more power but not too much, maybe some kind of under wound PAF or a fat noiseless single coil? Just regular production models, custom shop is usually beyond budget specially out of USA.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Humbuckers that play nice with single coils?

Do you need it to balance well in terms of volume? Whatever it is set it way down; even a "vintage" output humbucker will over-power the SSL.

I dislike humbuckers in the neck, and am stubborn using an STK-S4n Classic stack. Even the Screamin Demon in the bridge position (fairly moderate output) is much higher output than the stack, which is close in output to an SSL.

 

[IMENATOR]

Re: Humbuckers that play nice with single coils?

Do you need it to balance well in terms of volume? Whatever it is set it way down; even a "vintage" output humbucker will over-power the SSL.

That is a great question, in some cases volume mismatch is good but for the purpose of this thread I think something that is more volume balanced is desired. My neck pickup is the STK-S6 in the neck position of my strat, in paper this a bit stronger than a regular SSL-1 but for me it is just a grear neck pickp with a real strat sound to it.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Humbuckers that play nice with single coils?

Well I once had a C5 with a Surfer Strat and I got them to balance by setting the C5 lower than the surfer. So I think you'll be fine with a medium or vintage output humbucker.

 

[gregory]

Re: Humbuckers that play nice with single coils?

The STK-S6 is far hotter in the neck than an SSL-1. Picking a bridge pickup as if it balanced with an SSL-1 is a big mistake. This is especially the case if the OP expects the kind of relative output to which he's accustomed (link).

In the past I had used a JB and volume wise it would match but tone wise I want a humbucker sound that is more open and versatile

There is no such animal. You'll have better luck choosing from one of Duncan's competitors.

fat noiseless single coil

Now this can be done...
https://www.seymourduncan.com/pickup/hot-stack-plus-strat

 

[elelpe]

Re: Humbuckers that play nice with single coils?

You'd be happy with Cool Rails.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Humbuckers that play nice with single coils?

My point is you need a briter pickup with 250k, if its to dark change to 500k pot with the humbucker.

 

[gregory]

Re: Humbuckers that play nice with single coils?

Bill Lawrence L500

 

[Mincer]

Re: Humbuckers that play nice with single coils?

i usually pick a humbucker that sounds good split to blend with a single coil. These vary, so it really is up to the individual pickup and what you like to hear. I find it easier to find a great split sound than to find a good volume balance (if that is important to you).

 

[gregory]

Re: Humbuckers that play nice with single coils?

What split humbucker is going to keep up with an STK-S6 in the neck?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Humbuckers that play nice with single coils?

Well, I mean single coils I would use in the neck...like an STK-S4.

 

[gregory]

Re: Humbuckers that play nice with single coils?

It doesn't seem like anyone here has read the original post:

I am currently very happy with the Custom Stack Plus STK-S6 in neck position

 

[TVFV]

Re: Humbuckers that play nice with single coils?

I will second the cool rails in the bridge.

 

[gregory]

Re: Humbuckers that play nice with single coils?

I am currently very happy with the Custom Stack Plus STK-S6 in neck position

In the past I had used a JB and volume wise it would match[/B] but tone wise I want a humbucker sound that is more open and versatile

Screamin Demon? No!

In the past I had used a JB and volume wise it would match but tone wise I want a humbucker sound that is more open and versatile

Cool Rails? No!

In the past I had used a JB and volume wise it would match but tone wise I want a humbucker sound that is more open and versatile

Seth Lover Bridge with the cover removed*? No!

In the past I had used a JB and volume wise it would match but tone wise I want a humbucker sound that is more open and versatile

59 Bridge*? No!

In the past I had used a JB and volume wise it would match but tone wise I want a humbucker sound that is more open and versatile

Pearly Gates Bridge*? No!

In the past I had used a JB and volume wise it would match but tone wise I want a humbucker sound that is more open and versatile

Custom 5? Well at least this one is in the ballpark.

(*) someone's pet favorites that were recommended earlier in a deleted his post. They will reappear later. Why this was done is anyone's guess.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Humbuckers that play nice with single coils?

That's why I started my statement explaining how I do it.

 

[IMENATOR]

Re: Humbuckers that play nice with single coils?

Screamin Demon? No! Cool Rails? No! Seth Lover Bridge with the cover removed? No! 59 Bridge? No! Pearly Gates Bridge? No! Custom 5? Well at least this one is in the ballpark.

 

[gregory]

Re: Humbuckers that play nice with single coils?

That's why I started my statement explaining how I do it.

Well think of this post as the other way around, for me the Strat the neck pickup is the center of my tone as it is my rythm for clean and overdrive tones as well I can play lead with it too. I am currently very happy with the Custom Stack Plus STK-S6 in neck position

So just jettison the neck pickup he wants as his starting point?

How about a PATB-1B, assuming it's output is actually comparable to a JB since that's what the website suggests? Oh wait, the website also suggests the STK-S6 is about as hot as the STK-S4B and the STK-S4B is hotter than the STK-S7 which is in turn hotter than the SSL-5, which is the staggered pole version of the SSL-6 and the SSL-6 is hotter than the STK-S9B. So much for that!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Humbuckers that play nice with single coils?

I am currently very happy with the Custom Stack Plus STK-S6 in neck position (advertised as similar to SSL-5 but noiseless) along with the SSL-1 in the middle, I just want to choose a new humbucker. I want a humbucker sound that is more open and versatile...maybe some kind of under wound PAF.

My favorite Duncan PAF’s are the Antiquity, Pearly Gates and the Seth Lover.

If you want one that’s underwound then go for the neck version.

If you want one with more of the drive we expect from a PAF go for the bridge version.

If you want to avoid the Custom Shop price tag, go for a Seth Lover or PG.

If you want a little livlier, ballsier tone from the Seth remove the cover.

Or go for a Pearly Gates: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ggTyXwkwQx8

If you want a brighter, more open sound with less mids than go for a 59...altho for myself, I prefer the sound of the Seth, Antiquity and PG.

 

[B2D]

Re: Humbuckers that play nice with single coils?

One of my guitars is a Lone Star Strat with Texas Specials in the neck and mid slots, and a Pearly Gates Plus (pearly gates but with an a5 magnet) in the bridge. I've always found matching singles and 'buckers challenging but I'm quite happy with this.

If the Pearly Gates itself doesn't work for you, try a Custom Custom - hotter with more midrange.

Also - try a parallel wiring option. I like those more than splits, especially mixed with singles.

 

[gregory]

Re: Humbuckers that play nice with single coils?

Since everyone else is plugging their pet favorites as if there's an STK-S4 in the neck rather than an STK-S6, I'll instead begin as the OP did: I'll take my favorite single-spaced neck pickup and then choose a bridge pickup to go with it...

When I want something fairly powerful in the neck (like the OP with the STK-S6), I choose the DiMarzio Satch Track.

To go in the bridge spot I'll recommend an Evolution Neck. If the ceramic magnet scares you then a PAF Pro. More bottom end? The Breed Neck.