SD Secret Agent - thoughts? Alternatives?

[Blille]

Thinking of installing a SD Secret Agent in the middle position of a tele. Anybody tried it? Are there any cheaper alternatives? Feels like it’s like a single coil stack. Don’t need custom shop for a secondary function.

 

[Mincer]

I think it would work fine. There really isn't any other pickups out there like it, though.

 

[GuitarStv]

It has a big magnetic bar, is high output, and warm sounding. Would it be similar to a hot stack?

 

[Blille]

It has a big magnetic bar, is high output, and warm sounding. Would it be similar to a hot stack?

That’s what I thought but it’s single coil. And that matters because of the wiring I use. All the pickups with big bars seem to be humbuckers.

I think it would work fine. There really isn't any other pickups out there like it, though.

Thanks, I agree.

 

[DCikes88]

I didn't want to make a new thread, this one is very closely related to my question and you seem to have the experience to answer it.

I'm making a "metal" Esquire out of an Affinity tele body.
The original plan was a single medium to high output a5, a8 or ceramic humbucker, but then I saw the Secret Agent and though of using it as a "middle" pickup on the Esquirecaster.
Because of fitting a 24 fret neck it would essentialy be positioned next to the neck but in whats basically the middle position.
Added bonus would be hiding it under the esquire type pickguard.

My questions are, how do you like the pup in the middle position, how does it pair with a bucker?

And also, most importantly, what is it exactly that makes this pickup so special? The no string pull thing?

Would it be possible to use a type of single coil in that manner, under the guard? What would be the unwanted adverse effects?

Thank you in advance!
If you think I should better ask this in a new topic, just say the word.

 

[Blille]

I didn't want to make a new thread, this one is very closely related to my question and you seem to have the experience to answer it.

I'm making a "metal" Esquire out of an Affinity tele body.
The original plan was a single medium to high output a5, a8 or ceramic humbucker, but then I saw the Secret Agent and though of using it as a "middle" pickup on the Esquirecaster.
Because of fitting a 24 fret neck it would essentialy be positioned next to the neck but in whats basically the middle position.
Added bonus would be hiding it under the esquire type pickguard.

My questions are, how do you like the pup in the middle position, how does it pair with a bucker?

And also, most importantly, what is it exactly that makes this pickup so special? The no string pull thing?

Would it be possible to use a type of single coil in that manner, under the guard? What would be the unwanted adverse effects?

Thank you in advance!
If you think I should better ask this in a new topic, just say the word.

I’ve been using the pickup for a while now and I think it’s fine. I don’t use it on its own, just to get the “in between” positions with the other two pickups and I series with the bridge. It does well in the middle, it’s not like it’s very hot or muddy. It’s single coil in sound and medium output imho. I would think the humbucker would overwhelm it. I think I saw a used one on sale in TGP.

What makes it special is just that it’s designed to go under the pick guard hope this helps. If I were in your shoes I would likely go for a hotter HB in single coil format. My guess is that most ceramic based ones would still work under the pickguard.

 

[Artie]

And also, most importantly, what is it exactly that makes this pickup so special?

Software often has what's called "Easter Eggs." They're little surprises if you know what specific keys to hold down, or what special places to click.

I think the "Secret Agent" is the guitarists Easter Egg. The vast majority of the audience will only be listening to the artist and the music. The guitarist's in the audience will be asking themselves: "How is he getting that harmonically rich, jingle / jangle chime, out of that single pickup?"

That's my 2-cents and I'm sticking to it.

 

[Blille]

Software often has what's called "Easter Eggs." They're little surprises if you know what specific keys to hold down, or what special places to click.

I think the "Secret Agent" is the guitarists Easter Egg. The vast majority of the audience will only be listening to the artist and the music. The guitarist's in the audience will be asking themselves: "How is he getting that harmonically rich, jingle / jangle chime, out of that single pickup?"

That's my 2-cents and I'm sticking to it.

I’m with you. When I get a classic strat in between strat sound from my two pickup tele, it is puzzling