Most unique sounding humbuckers?

[Johnny Tenderloin]

What humbuckers do you have that nothing else sounds like? I'm not talking about humbuckers that sound like single coils, but something that you can't get with anything else.

The JB is the easiest example. You don't have to have magic ears to be able to pick out a JB by ear.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I think the Black Winter fits in that category too. It has a certain rasp to the attack that's really cool, and I haven't been able to find in any other pickup. 500T is along the lines, but not quite the same.

 

[Sam SG]

Fernandez sustainer pickup

 

[Mincer]

I'll add the Invader and the Stag Mag to this list.

 

[ehdwuld]

1. Humbucker sized Filtertrons

Unique

2. Single coil size rail Humbucker

Not like a single coil, not like a Humbucker

 

[Chistopher]

Most of Lace Sensors stuff, especially the standard Alumitones

 

[NotDemanic]

The Fuglybucker set.

 

[orpheo]

dimarzio humbucker from hell and bluesbucker. singlecoily vibes in a humbucker package.

 

[xxxplorer]

L500-XLs have a thing.

Wagner Ironman is it's own thing. Bare Knuckle Warpig is similar, but also unique in it's own way.

Bareknuckle Ragnaroks are different in that very high output and thick... yet clear and the split/parallel tones are suprisingly great. Pickup reminds me of a good active, but with the passive chew.

Gibson 500T have a unique sandy grind with sizzle and grainy clarity to my ears.

JB as mentioned.

EMG 81.

EMG 60 clean tones always pull my heart strings

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

DeArmond foils.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I suppose the P-Rails too.

 

[Juanhanglo]

Lace hemibuckers. The bridge sounds like a fat nasty tele. That lace sensor compression and single coil clarity make for an interesting sound

Full shreds. The only neck pickup that chugs. The bridge, well, you know. Nothing else quite like it.

dark matter 2s. I love these things! Fat and clear as humbuckers, down right cool in single coil mode. Im sure you can get the humbucker sounds elsewhere, but not the single sounds.
Also, there is almost no 60 cycle hum. Easily a third or less than my tele or p90s.

 

[Jeff_H]

I have a JB from the 80’s that sounds different from the stock JB that came in my 2003 Dean Hardtail. I also ended up with a 2016 JB that sounded a bit different from the other two, but closer to the 2003 model.

I had the same experience with a Custom from the 80’s. The DC reading is over 1K lower than the current stated specs, and is a bit sweeter and not so in your face. I really like it.

I haven’t used any of the higher gain pickups mentioned, so I can’t comment. Im sure some of those are unique.

Oh, the Saturday Night Special is a bit unique. Very 70’s AOL or Arena Rock Sounding, to me anyhow.