Single Coil for Heavy Metal (BRIDGE)

K

kidshredder667

New member
I'm lookin for single coil pickups for my bridge pickup
i want sort of a bassier sound that can handle a lot of distorion.
I will be using the pickups for mostly ballad like solos with some sweeping
I saw a 27 fret ibanez xiphos with a neat bridge pickup and a synyster gates guitar with a sustainiac or something. Could those maybe work?
 
Re: Single Coil for Heavy Metal (BRIDGE)

If by that you mean something that actually sounds at least somewhat like a single coil, DiMarzio SDS (real single) or virtual solo (noiseless).

If by that you mean anything that will fit in the slot, I like the hotter DiMarzio rail types, i.e Tone Zone S, BC-2, Fast Track 2.
 
Re: Single Coil for Heavy Metal (BRIDGE)

RayBarbeeMusic said:
If by that you mean something that actually sounds at least somewhat like a single coil, DiMarzio SDS (real single) or virtual solo (noiseless).

If by that you mean anything that will fit in the slot, I like the hotter DiMarzio rail types, i.e Tone Zone S, BC-2, Fast Track 2.
Click to expand...

This, by a long shot. ^^^^
 
Re: Single Coil for Heavy Metal (BRIDGE)

No, nope, non, nein, niet, oxi, ie, hope you get the idea. I know you think you want to go there but believe me, you don't.

My first guitar was my 2000 MiM Standard Strat, SSS and I wanted to do what you're describing. I did try a lot of things including said Fast Track 2 (and 1) in the bridge.
Sure the tone got hotter compared to the stock Fender single coils but it never got fat and authoritative enough for Heavy Metal.

The only thing that did was when I finally decided that I had enough failures and put a real-deal standard thickness humbucker.

If your guitar is a Fender Strat or similar, there's a very good chance that it is routed HSS under the pickguard.
If so, get a new pickguard (or cut the old one although it will look kinda funny) and just transplant everything there instead.

There's simply no better solution (or wider array of options) than a full-sized humbucker for the bridge of a guitar meant to do Metal. Period.
 
Re: Single Coil for Heavy Metal (BRIDGE)

Single-coil? SSL-5, fat sounding single with still some "zing" to it.
 
Re: Single Coil for Heavy Metal (BRIDGE)

simply put, single coils in the bridge CANNOT do metal. not even P90s. anytime i hear someone trying to get chunky with a bridge single coil, it forces me to stop listening.
 
Last edited:
Re: Single Coil for Heavy Metal (BRIDGE)

Depends on the definition on metal though, Yngwie's been pretty heavy with his strats at times, but that's of course pretty lightweight by todays standards.
 
Re: Single Coil for Heavy Metal (BRIDGE)

I think BKP makes a super high output true single coil, you might want to check that out
 
Re: Single Coil for Heavy Metal (BRIDGE)

If you really insist on real singlecoils Duncan Quarter Ponder (w/ cheese) or DMZ SDS-1 or BKP Sinners. But I agree that real single coils are absolutely not for heavy metal for two reasons: The sounds is never going to be "heavy" enough and with alot of gain they are going to hum like a mofo.

But again if you still really want the singlecoil-ish sound definitely get stacks: Duncan Hot Stack or DMZ Virtual Solo. At least you won't get crazy hum but they are very good pups for other music genres as well.

But if you really want to go heavy it's rails all the way. Duncan Hot Rails or DMZ Fast Track 2. I have the Fast Tracks and to my ears they sound very heavy and I can't differentiate them from real hot humbuckers.
 
Re: Single Coil for Heavy Metal (BRIDGE)

Zhaggy said:
But if you really want to go heavy it's rails all the way. Duncan Hot Rails or DMZ Fast Track 2. I have the Fast Tracks and to my ears they sound very heavy and I can't differentiate them from real hot humbuckers.
Click to expand...

none of the Duncan 'rail' type pickups have worked for me in the bridge for hard/heavy rock. how does the Fast Track 2 sound in comparison? or for that matter, is there any more feedback on the Tone Zone S or the Super Distortion S?
 
Re: Single Coil for Heavy Metal (BRIDGE)

darthphineas said:
none of the Duncan 'rail' type pickups have worked for me in the bridge for hard/heavy rock. how does the Fast Track 2 sound in comparison? or for that matter, is there any more feedback on the Tone Zone S or the Super Distortion S?
Click to expand...

I really love the Fast track 2. I honestly didn't expect them to sound so good but they sounded awesome, as good as any full size hum. FS2 is supposed to sound very much like the Super Distortion S but haven't tried it though. Haven't played any duncan rail in a long time so can't compare but I do remember that they (Hot Rails) sounded very good as well. The Tone Zone S is alot like the FS2 and SuperD S but a hair cleaner.

Also for the OP, I don't see why not the Duncan Jb Jr or screaming demon jr couldn't work. Just have never played those non-rail type singlecoil-sized humbuckers, have heard them being playd though. They should have the power you need.
 
Re: Single Coil for Heavy Metal (BRIDGE)

Well I don't even know what kind of guitar you have, woods, fretboard, bridge type, anything.

If you really want to do heavy metal, then there is really nothing like a true full sized humbucker in the bridge. Even Kirk Hammett has gone to almost all humbuckers, and he was a huge proponent of single coils in the 80's. Single coils (while great in some guitars), are not really made to play with the fatness needed for metal. I'd suggest something like an Invader in the bridge, which will really fatten up what I'm going to assume is a Strat.

If you're dead set on a single coil, I'll recommend a Blackout Strat set. It's got the hottness, keeps the single coil sound, and get's rid of the hum. Good luck I hope this helps.
 
Re: Single Coil for Heavy Metal (BRIDGE)

rumblebox said:
simply put, single coils in the bridge CANNOT do metal. not even P90s. anytime i hear someone trying to get chunky with a bridge single coil, it forces me to stop listening.
Click to expand...

Tell that to Bill Steer:



Still from that show:

450px-Bill_Steer.jpg


hires here:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Bill_Steer.jpg/768px-Bill_Steer.jpg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

marcello252
Weird sound change inverting the phase on a Mustang single coil
Replies
9
Views
362
freefrog
freefrog
CrispySonOfA
HH Single Tone, Single Volume, 5 Way Import Switch.
Replies
1
Views
65
Artie
Artie
7
SD A2P Neck sounds single coil
Replies
3
Views
319
freefrog
freefrog
R
Single Coil Neck for 80's?
Replies
7
Views
420
jeremy
jeremy
P
I'd like to hear your opinion on the EMG81TW mounting orientation.
Replies
7
Views
487
freefrog
freefrog
Back
Top