Single coil sized neck humbucker recommendations

[Whattheflip]

I'm looking for recommendations for a single coil sized humbucker for the neck position of my Warmoth Superstrat.

The guitar is alder with a roasted maple neck with stainless steel frets and a recessed Original Floyd Rose. I have an EVH Frankenstein in the bridge and a 250k volume pot, which I prefer so I'm not too concerned if the pickup is on the bright side.

As for amps I have a Peavey 5150 1/2 stack, an EVH 5150 III 50watt head and 2x12, and an old 60watt KMD combo that's makes a surprisingly good pedal platform.


What I'm looking for is clarity and the ability to keep up with the Frankenstein in the bridge.

Awhile back I saw some Fender Custom Shop superstrats made for Wild West Guitars (if memory serves) and I believe they featured the Duncan '78 bridge and Lil Screamin' Demon in the neck. So that is one model I was thinking about trying. Years ago I dropped a Demon in an EBMM Morse signature and it brought that guitar to life, at least to my ears...

Thanks in advance

 

[Mincer]

Re: Single coil sized neck humbucker recommendations

Welcome to the forum!
My first thought for clarity in the neck is a Cool Rails. It is sort of like a Jazz humbucker in a single coil size. Another, newer option is the Red Devil, which is sort of a brighter PAF-type. A more powerful pickup is the JB Jr neck model. It really just depends on the power level you want.

 

[Whattheflip]

Re: Single coil sized neck humbucker recommendations

Thanks for the welcome

Ok, so after listening to plenty of clips/demos I've decided the Cools Rails isn't for me. I've yet to search out a Red Devil demo but after listening to both the Lil Screamin' Demon and the JB Jr I'm actually hoping to find something right in between those two (although I am leaning more towards the Lil Demon if push came to shove)

 

[Nagisa]

Re: Single coil sized neck humbucker recommendations

Red devil is alnico - if you're leaning in that direction I'd probably check it out first.

 

[chadd]

Re: Single coil sized neck humbucker recommendations

I love the Lil Demons, great pickups.

 

[TVFV]

Re: Single coil sized neck humbucker recommendations

Dimarzio also has a good selection of single coil sized humbuckers. I think you would like a Chopper or Fast Track 1 in the neck.

Sent from my SM-A205U using Tapatalk

 

[Nagisa]

Re: Single coil sized neck humbucker recommendations

Dimarzio also has a good selection of single coil sized humbuckers. I think you would like a Chopper or Fast Track 1 in the neck.

Sent from my SM-A205U using Tapatalk

The chopper would be worth looking into for sure.

 

[Teleplayer]

Re: Single coil sized neck humbucker recommendations

Fast Track 1 has a good balance of brightness and mids, although its output is less than the Duncan Cool rails. If you put the Fast track 1 too close to the strings it can get quite dark and bassy sounding, whereas the Cool rails retains its brightness and definition better IMO. The two can be similar in some applications, but I would recommend the Cool rails if you want to pair it with a full size bridge humbucker. The cool rails can get plenty of output if you use the right mounting springs so the pickup can be set high enough. For the Cool Rails I much prefer coil mounting springs over the rubber tube that Seymour Duncan supplies. I used both of Fast Track 1 and Cool Rails with 500k Volume and 500k Tone.

The Satch Track may also be an option if you think the Cool rails with have too much top end brightness. The Satch Track is similar in output to the Cool rails, but its brightness comes more from the mids.

 

[Whattheflip]

Re: Single coil sized neck humbucker recommendations

Thanks for all the insight and recommendations. I'm going with the Lil Screamin' Demon. I listened to many clips/vids and still find the Demon to be closest to what I'm after....

Quick question, I'm going with cream and was wondering who makes knobs that will match?

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Single coil sized neck humbucker recommendations

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Stratocast...=2931838322935093b180ee5540ca8893779f09bd372a

 

[RevDoom73]

Re: Single coil sized neck humbucker recommendations

Great choice on the Li'l Screamin' Demon, I love that pickup. It does add some brightness but I think for what you're looking for it'll work really well. I'd have loved to have heard that in your EB Morse sig guitar you mentioned. These were the cream Strat knobs I bought not long ago: https://www.amazon.com/Fender-Stratocaster-Replacement-Knobs-Cream/dp/B003WY9UK2

 

[Nagisa]

Re: Single coil sized neck humbucker recommendations

I sold my Satch Track that I had in the neck of an Ibanez AZ hss. Just not enough top end.