Low Output Humbucker

[Herby]

I'm looking for something that's comparable to a SSL-6 output but in humbucker form, clear and with a lot of harmonic content (Bridge position). SC's seem to lack in this area. I'm a SC guy and I want to expand my horizons but I want to stay close to the same output as my other guitars... maybe slightly hotter but not too hot. Any suggestions?

 

[AustinS]

Re: Low Output Humbucker

I'm not familiar with the pickup personally, but DiMarzio's "FRED" model humbucker is supposed to be a PAF-style pickup with boosted mids and lots of harmonic content (with about the same output as their PAF Pro model, it says on their site). That might work for you if you wanna check it out. Maybe someone else who has experience with that pickup can give their opinion on it, or recommend something else.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Low Output Humbucker

I'd say a Jazz bridge.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Low Output Humbucker

Or the Jazz neck pup to use in the bridge. The Jazz bridge has lots of mids and quite a bit more output than the neck model...maybe even too much for you if you're using it with singles.

 

[chadd]

Re: Low Output Humbucker

I've always liked the screamin' demon in an HSS guitar.

 

[Artie]

Re: Low Output Humbucker

You say "comparable to a SSL-6 output but in humbucker form." Do you need the HB'er to be in single-coil sized form? If not, quite a few humbuckers take on those qualities when simply wired in parallel. The Invader is a perfect example.

 

[Despair]

Re: Low Output Humbucker

STK-S6 Custom Stack Plus is the hum-cancelling version of the SSL-6 Custom Flat. If you just want the same sound but without hum.

If you want traditional humbucker construction, probably a Jazz bridge or Screamin' Demon (NOT a high output pickup, it's more of a modern take on a PAF tone, more growl & bite, but tighter and a bit of a single coily feel), unless you want to try a hotter pickup in parallel like ArtieToo suggested.

 

[TVFV]

Re: Low Output Humbucker

Or the Jazz neck pup to use in the bridge. The Jazz bridge has lots of mids and quite a bit more output than the neck model...maybe even too much for you if you're using it with singles.

I really didn’t hear a lot of mids when I had the Jazz Bridge and I raised pretty close to strings to get to balance with the Jazz neck. I don’t see any reason why it would overwhelm single coils.

 

[Tone Meister]

Re: Low Output Humbucker

The Jazz neck model in the bridge position is also a very harmonically rich pickup. I don't think you can go wrong with either Jazz model in the bridge.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Low Output Humbucker

+1

But like was said, the Demon would also be a great choice.

 

[Warlag]

Re: Low Output Humbucker

Would the SD Stagmag fit that category? I ask because it seemed to have a somewhat single coil construction to it.. like how there’s no screw pieces and has staggard magnets instead I believe. I never heard one but the design reminded me of something for single coil type sound.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Low Output Humbucker

A Stag Mag excels at splitting, which is a great single coil sound. In series, it is a but thick for most people who like humbuckers. There is always a tradeoff somewhere.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Low Output Humbucker

I agree with both of you.

The StagMag is two true single coils (magnet poles instead of screws and a bar magnet) together in a humbucker format. When split, it IS a single coil pup and sounds very good. I really love the split sound. To me it sounds fuller than most Strat pups but still has that bright, crisp, and spanky single coil sound. It also sounds very good in parallel. I happen to like it in series as well, but Mincer is correct that many find it a bit too heavy/thick sounding.

I'd have a lot more StagMags in my guitars if they weren't so expensive. Instead I use a lot of my favorite pups...P-90s and I'm happy.

 

[Herby]

Re: Low Output Humbucker

I didn't clarify the size. It's going in a H-S configuration: █ ▐
I'm looking at the JAZZ pickup. Probably the neck pickup.
Thank you all for your inputs.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Low Output Humbucker

You are welcome.

 

[KNUCKLHEAD]

Re: Low Output Humbucker

Tonerider Alnico 4 ~ Super HArmonics and I get Great Output in the bridge ( with the Scatter wnd Neck P.U ) i like it beter than almost Anything i've installed in 30 yrs , REALLY

I think it's around 8.75 or 9 K ~ around $40.00

 

[BluesIsBlood12]

Re: Low Output Humbucker

Tonerider Alnico 4 ~ Super HArmonics and I get Great Output in the bridge ( with the Scatter wnd Neck P.U ) i like it beter than almost Anything i've installed in 30 yrs , REALLY

I think it's around 8.75 or 9 K ~ around $40.00

I tried out a set of these in an SG that previously had Seths, and the tone was shockingly similar. I think they were a little brighter, but I'd have to do a real A/B recording to pick a favorite, which I did not do. I have also tried out the neck in a tele with great results, though I decided i wanted a tele neck instead. I'm not totally sure this fit what the OP is looking for, but I wanted to +1 these as a pretty damn good set of PAFs that happen to be quite inexpensive.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Low Output Humbucker

9k a4 sounds like a seth? interesting

 

[ErikH]

Re: Low Output Humbucker

.... Instead I use a lot of my favorite pups...P-90s and I'm happy.

I've fallen in love with P-90's over the years. What really did it was a SG Classic from around 2008 with dual P-90 soap bars. A killer killer guitar. Then we were expecting our second (and last) child in 2012 and with my wife not working for a bit, we had to stockpile cash. I sold a bunch of gear and that's one guitar I'd love to have back. Thankfully, I still have (and always will have) the SG Junior project I did in 2011. Single P-90 goodness. I recently upgraded the bridge to the new Stew-Mac low-profile wraparound and it made the guitar come alive. P-90's are so diverse. I love them.

In a full-size humbucker form, I have to agree with the Screamin' Demon suggestion. Not high output at all. It has a great growl with great harmonics and feel to it. Almost single-coily in certain settings. It LOVES high gain applications too but I tend to use moderate saturation lately. I still like to pile on some more for leads but for rhythm work, I'm liking less saturation with more dynamics.

 

[Herby]

Re: Low Output Humbucker

I did some research and found:
SSL-6 = 13.3K (this is the target output)
Jazz Neck = 7.5K
Jazz Bridge = 8.4K
The SSL-6 pickup seems to have a lot more output than the Jazz pickups. What am I missing? Could someone explain the differences please?