"noiseless" single coil vs strat size humbucker vs full humbucker for neck position??

[tinman1]

"noiseless" single coil vs strat size humbucker vs full humbucker for neck position??

Hi chaps

So a couple of months ago I put a Pearly Gates full size humbucker (with coil split option) in the bridge of my american standard strat. It really is the bomb- exactly what I was after. Allows me to cover blues up to hard rock on the same guitar.

I left the fat 50s single coils in the neck and middle positions for versatility. I do venture into Hendrix and SRV stuff fairly regularly so that seems to make sense.

Now..I know the best option would probably be to go out and buy a Les Paul but I can't afford it. When I'm playing rockier stuff (particularly Slash/ G n R as he uses the neck pup for solos a lot), I'm finding the single coil neck pup isn't up to the job.

I'm now considering an HH conversion with a Pearly Gates neck humbucker (in a new pickguard). This would obviously change the aesthetics of the guitar and I'd more or less lose those Hendrix/ SRV tones. The other option is to go with a Fender vintage noiseless or Duncan strat size humbucker option for neck +/- middle pup.

What would you guys recommend? Can I get close enough to a Slash type neck tone from a noiseless single coil/ strat size humbucker like a vintage stack (while retaining the Hendrix/SRV option)?? Any route will be a compromise, I know.

Thanks in advance!

 

[DreX]

Re: "noiseless" single coil vs strat size humbucker vs full humbucker for neck positi

Re: "noiseless" single coil vs strat size humbucker vs full humbucker for neck positi

I think it would be best for the appearance of the guitar if the pickups retained the single coil looking in the bridge and neck. To me, a big humbucker beside a single coil and single coil sized humbucker would look like an army where all the soldiers wore different uniforms. A way of having your cake and eating it to is to install a hot single coil that comes with a third lead wire for coil tapping, such as the SD SSL-3, SSL-5 or SSL-6. When full, you'll get a thick, sustaining tone, but when tapped it will drop the output and sound closer to a typical single coil. It would not hum cancel, but I don't think that's a big deal myself.

If absolutely need hum cancelling, then you could install a mini humbucker, something like Hot Rails, or a Lil '59, and then install a push/pull pot for series/parallel. The series mode would be loud, the parallel mode would be close to a typical single coil in tone, and both modes humbuck.

Just for aesthetics, if you do single coil sized humbuckers, I'd get a full set:

 

[tinman1]

Re: "noiseless" single coil vs strat size humbucker vs full humbucker for neck positi

Re: "noiseless" single coil vs strat size humbucker vs full humbucker for neck positi

Thanks DreX.

I see that the DC resistance (full) for an SSL-5 (custom staggered, high output single coil) is 12.9k. The pearly gates humbucker I currently have in the bridge is rated at 8.35k...

Would that neck pickup overpower the "vintage output" PG or would the fact that it is single coil size even up the outputs?

Also, I'm still not convinced that a true (albeit overwound) single coil would get me into slash type territory. I've looked at the lil '59 but I'm not sure the ceramic magnet would be ideal for the stuff I play- ZZ Top, AC/DC, GnR, Led Zep.

I have a flying V with a Custom (SH-5) bridge pup for heavier stuff hence I'm sticking with lower output pups for classic rock in my strat.

Plus- anyone tried a PG in the neck position of their strat?

 

[wolf5150]

Re: "noiseless" single coil vs strat size humbucker vs full humbucker for neck positi

Re: "noiseless" single coil vs strat size humbucker vs full humbucker for neck positi

I've just been through this exact scenario.

I've chosen a Dimarzio Pro Track for the neck and a Fast Track 1 for the middle to go with the Perpetual Burn in the bridge.

Dimarzio did a custom wiring diagram for me to allow the mid and neck to auto split in positions 2 & 4.

I can't wait to get it back from the tech.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: "noiseless" single coil vs strat size humbucker vs full humbucker for neck positi

Re: "noiseless" single coil vs strat size humbucker vs full humbucker for neck positi

IMO, none of the stacked coil pickups is going to deliver the sound.

Some of the classic neck position humbucker through high gain valve amplification sounds can be simulated by selecting your bridge position Pearly Gates and rolling off the Tone control.

 

[tinman1]

Re: "noiseless" single coil vs strat size humbucker vs full humbucker for neck positi

Re: "noiseless" single coil vs strat size humbucker vs full humbucker for neck positi

Some of the classic neck position humbucker through high gain valve amplification sounds can be simulated by selecting your bridge position Pearly Gates and rolling off the Tone control.

That's a fair point...I guess I could manage it like an esquire strat to get close. Would certainly save cash. I'll give it a try. Thanks.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: "noiseless" single coil vs strat size humbucker vs full humbucker for neck positi

Re: "noiseless" single coil vs strat size humbucker vs full humbucker for neck positi

You're thinking about modding your guitar to be a trade-off in the Strat tones and a trade-off in the Les Paul tones. You are only going to regret this in the long run. And after searching/trying many pups to get close to the tones you're seeking you will have spent a lot of cash. And yet you say you can't afford another guitar.

I dunno. I think you're going about this the wrong way and you are going to end up very disappointed.

There are MANY very affordable and excellent quality Les Pauls available (especially if you buy used). Too many to count in the $100-200 range.

You'll get the Strat AND the LP tones that you're looking for. In the very least you'll have a backup guitar. I can't imagine anyone playing without a backup anyway.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: "noiseless" single coil vs strat size humbucker vs full humbucker for neck positi

Re: "noiseless" single coil vs strat size humbucker vs full humbucker for neck positi

I can't imagine anyone playing without a backup anyway.

I've done it for years with out problems.

 

[tinman1]

Re: "noiseless" single coil vs strat size humbucker vs full humbucker for neck positi

Re: "noiseless" single coil vs strat size humbucker vs full humbucker for neck positi

You're thinking about modding your guitar to be a trade-off in the Strat tones and a trade-off in the Les Paul tones. You are only going to regret this in the long run. And after searching/trying many pups to get close to the tones you're seeking you will have spent a lot of cash. And yet you say you can't afford another guitar.

I dunno. I think you're going about this the wrong way and you are going to end up very disappointed.

There are MANY very affordable and excellent quality Les Pauls available (especially if you buy used). Too many to count in the $100-200 range.

You'll get the Strat AND the LP tones that you're looking for. In the very least you'll have a backup guitar. I can't imagine anyone playing without a backup anyway.

You're basically right about this, more or less. I do prefer nicer made guitars though so id probably be better saving up for a Gibson USA les paul. Of all the guitars I've owned the Fender american std strat and the Gibson Flying V are the only ones that have survived longer term without being sold off. So I know a $200 Les Paul wouldn't last long in my collection.

I'll make do with the HSS strat and eventually convert back to SSS when I can afford a "real" Les Paul.

Thanks for all the input.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: "noiseless" single coil vs strat size humbucker vs full humbucker for neck positi

Re: "noiseless" single coil vs strat size humbucker vs full humbucker for neck positi

Thanks DreX.

I see that the DC resistance (full) for an SSL-5 (custom staggered, high output single coil) is 12.9k. The pearly gates humbucker I currently have in the bridge is rated at 8.35k...

Would that neck pickup overpower the "vintage output" PG or would the fact that it is single coil size even up the outputs?

Also, I'm still not convinced that a true (albeit overwound) single coil would get me into slash type territory. I've looked at the lil '59 but I'm not sure the ceramic magnet would be ideal for the stuff I play- ZZ Top, AC/DC, GnR, Led Zep.

I have a flying V with a Custom (SH-5) bridge pup for heavier stuff hence I'm sticking with lower output pups for classic rock in my strat.

Plus- anyone tried a PG in the neck position of their strat?

I use a PGb in the neck position and it does a great job. Have you ever thought about a HSH set up? That will get you closer to your tonal desires along with the proper amplification.

 

[tinman1]

Re: "noiseless" single coil vs strat size humbucker vs full humbucker for neck positi

Re: "noiseless" single coil vs strat size humbucker vs full humbucker for neck positi

I use a PGb in the neck position and it does a great job. Have you ever thought about a HSH set up? That will get you closer to your tonal desires along with the proper amplification.

I have genuine concerns that I wouldn't have any room left to pick in between the pickups with that setup!! But its a though, thanks.

 

[MikeB]

Re: "noiseless" single coil vs strat size humbucker vs full humbucker for neck positi

Re: "noiseless" single coil vs strat size humbucker vs full humbucker for neck positi

What would you guys recommend? Can I get close enough to a Slash type neck tone from a noiseless single coil/ strat size humbucker like a vintage stack (while retaining the Hendrix/SRV option)?? Any route will be a compromise, I know.

Thanks in advance!

I would go for Hot Rails SHR-1 for the neck and middle position as the best compromise. I did put SHR-1's in one of my Strats and never wanted anything else. High output with very low humming in humbucker mode and lush bass/midrange, pure Strat in single-coil mode. The rest your fingers have to do (often forgotten). :fingersx: