Parallel Axis STKn1 - Stacked Single Coil vs Humbuckers?

F

fretburner

Well-known member
So... I got my hands on a Duncan PA-STKn1 - the single coil version of the parallel axis series. I'm planning to use it as a NECK pickup in place of a lil 59n in a Mahogany strat-type guitar which has a full-sized JB humbucker on the bridge.

What can I expect?

Will it be able to keep up with the JB on the bridge?

I would really hate that I would have to lower the JB too much and lose the bite just so I have the bridge and neck pups balanced, volume wise.
 
Re: Parallel Axis STKn1 - Stacked Single Coil vs Humbuckers?

Anybody?

You think the JB (16.4k) or even the Distortion Parallel Axis (21.3k) would overpower the Parallel Axis SC stack (6.8k)?
 
Re: Parallel Axis STKn1 - Stacked Single Coil vs Humbuckers?

I had the Parallel Axis Trembucker Distortion PATB-2 install in the bridge of my Ibanez RG1560JB and the Parallel Axis Stack PA-STK1n in the neck and middle positions. I love the setup! Volume wise they sound balanced when switching between bridge and neck.

rg1560jb.jpg
 
Re: Parallel Axis STKn1 - Stacked Single Coil vs Humbuckers?

Just installed my Parallel Axis set on my Washburn MG90. The single coil stacks, to my surprise and disappointment, were TALLER than the SSL-5s they replaced!

The MG90 being direct mounted, I could not get the Parallel Axis stacks lower and to my liking. The middle pup was especially troublesome as it is getting in the way of my picking (I dig in quite a bit -- I love a good pick attack).

I just adjusted the bridge pup to balance the neck pup and ignore the middle pup. It's not too bad though. I think they're fine. I have to test it some more and perhaps do a little further tweaking when I play it louder. Here's a photo:

 
Re: Parallel Axis STKn1 - Stacked Single Coil vs Humbuckers?

Nope, it's perfectly matched to the PATB Distortion, and the JB is not quite as loud, so it wouldn't have problems keeping up. :cool:

My Charvel 475 has an extra measure of insurance by having an active midboost to juice the neck pickup for leads, but it doesn't really need it.

I was a little concerned before buying that I wouldn't be able to get crystal clean Strat sounds with the stacks, but it's not a problem. And they look VERY cool, too!

PATBSet.jpg


PATB2_AussieStrap.jpg
 
Re: Parallel Axis STKn1 - Stacked Single Coil vs Humbuckers?

Nice Charvel you got there. Did you have issues with the single coil heights like I did? Yours are direct-mounted as well.

Yes, on the crystal clean sound of a strat on those stacks. It surprised me how it "sparkles". The PATB distortion sounded muffled and weak compared to it, when playing clean.
 
Re: Parallel Axis STKn1 - Stacked Single Coil vs Humbuckers?

I had no height issues at all. The Distortion is definitely not a pickup for playing clean! PATB-2 seems even louder and nastier than my standard Distortion in another guitar, I always have to back the gain down a tad when using that guitar! Sounds great though.
 
Re: Parallel Axis STKn1 - Stacked Single Coil vs Humbuckers?

The PATB is very aggressive when playing dirty. I had to lower the bridge pup quite a bit!
 
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