Single coil replacement for a squier ceramic bridge humbucker?

[Taymar]

Hi all, I'm looking for some advice please. I have a squier contemporary strat with two single pickups plus a ceramic humbucker at the bridge.

I'm changing pickguards and am looking to replace the humbucker with a single coil at the bridge. I need something that will accept a smooth top strat pickup cover, and would be suited to classic rock, and/or give the guitar some versatility like the current humbucker does.

Is there anything particular in the Duncan lineup I should consider please?

Thanks for any suggestions

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Single coil replacement for a squier ceramic bridge humbucker?

You want it to use a hole-less/Mustang cover? Any Strat pickup should fit under one, but non-staggered are better and flush Mustang pickups fit best.

Check out Rosepickups.com; quite affordable custom made pickups, he makes them with flush Mustang pole pieces for no extra charge, last time I checked. His Buff Beauties are great higher-output-yet-clear pickups for what you want; I have a set in my Mustang.

 

[Adieu]

Re: Single coil replacement for a squier ceramic bridge humbucker?

Buy a used Fender CS 69 on ebay if you want the ultimate stratty single coil experience (which, surprisingly, does high gain well too somehow)

Or put in a Seymour Duncan Hot Rail (b) for the single-sized hot humbucker experience done right.


Or... stay HSS and put in a proper serious humbucker: JB for harder rock, PGP for more classic rock/southern rock/countryish rock flavor



ANY of these 4 will blow your mind vs, stock squier ceramic junk

 

[Taymar]

Re: Single coil replacement for a squier ceramic bridge humbucker?

Thank you guys, Much appreciated. So this got me thinking - maybe I shouod replace all 3 pickups whioe it's apart.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Single coil replacement for a squier ceramic bridge humbucker?

Well, as was mentioned, most flat-pole single coils can take a flat cover, and some like the old Hot Stack (with a single rail) would do it. I know you mentioned classic rock, but what kind? Blackmore? 70s Clapton? Ed King? 90s Jeff Beck? Give us some idea of what you are going for.

 

[Adieu]

Re: Single coil replacement for a squier ceramic bridge humbucker?

Thank you guys, Much appreciated. So this got me thinking - maybe I shouod replace all 3 pickups whioe it's apart.

In that case:

JB + 2x CS 69

Or

Hotrail + 2x CS 69

Or

Pearly Gates Plus + 2x CS 69

And never mind covers or how flat (or not, in this case) the polepieces sit. Function over form



PS or leave it up to chance, whichever of those bridge pups you find the best used deal on, and any two single coils from the Fender Custom Shop (CS) line that you can find cheap used

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Single coil replacement for a squier ceramic bridge humbucker?

The CS 69 set is pretty decent, but theres a lot more out there at a moderate price.

The Fender TexMex set can be had used for $40 and I find they complement Poplar bodies (as the Squier Contemporary is) rather well. The Poplar adds a bit more meat to the tone and shaves off the high end in comparison to Ash or Alder

 

[Taymar]

Re: Single coil replacement for a squier ceramic bridge humbucker?

Well, as was mentioned, most flat-pole single coils can take a flat cover, and some like the old Hot Stack (with a single rail) would do it. I know you mentioned classic rock, but what kind? Blackmore? 70s Clapton? Ed King? 90s Jeff Beck? Give us some idea of what you are going for.

Thank you, and fair question. I'm not trying to mimic any one artist's tone, just looking for something that's not super 'dark'. I'd be happy with anything approaching sounds of AC/DC, led zeppelin, pink floyd, queen etc. Quite like Eric Johnson's tone too. I realize I may have contradicted myself with some of these... really just trying to retain that brighter clearer sound for leads, without it sounding like the bass is overpowered, muddy, and dark.

 

[Adieu]

Re: Single coil replacement for a squier ceramic bridge humbucker?

Its a strat, how'd it end up sounding dark???

 

[Taymar]

Re: Single coil replacement for a squier ceramic bridge humbucker?

It doesn't - just want to avoid that.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Single coil replacement for a squier ceramic bridge humbucker?

Well, as regular single coils get overwound, they get darker. You can combat that with higher-value pots, but at some point the mids will overtake that. Something like the Little 59 can approach the sounds you are going for, although it is ceramic. It doesn't sound or respond like a typical ceramic humbucker, though.

 

[Herby]

Re: Single coil replacement for a squier ceramic bridge humbucker?

I'm loving the SSL-6 I put in my strat bridge. Great pickup. Matches up nicely with other stock SC pickups. Killer harmonic content. Back off the tone a bit, boost the gain, and... :yourock:

 

[Jacew]

Re: Single coil replacement for a squier ceramic bridge humbucker?

SSL-6 is great.

Based on the bands listed, I would definitely suggest SSL-4. Doesn't fit under cover though, but absolutely best for the purpose in my opinion.

Only pickup I can say definitely can pull off all of those well.