Single coils for metal?
- Thread starter Draethe84
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Obsessive Compulsive
New member
Re: Single coils for metal?
I use Dimarzio Blue Velvet in a Strat for heavy rock, combined with Rocktron distortion pedal and EQ to compensate for the weak output. I like how the sound of the pickups being 'overloaded' like Yngwie's sound in Heaven Tonight.
The Blue Velvet is actually very low output.
I use Dimarzio Blue Velvet in a Strat for heavy rock, combined with Rocktron distortion pedal and EQ to compensate for the weak output. I like how the sound of the pickups being 'overloaded' like Yngwie's sound in Heaven Tonight.
The Blue Velvet is actually very low output.
mechanic1908
New member
Re: Single coils for metal?
With the right effects and or processing you could use a Tele for metal so, depending on your other gear, sure why not?
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With the right effects and or processing you could use a Tele for metal so, depending on your other gear, sure why not?
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Edgecrusher
Well-known member
Re: Single coils for metal?
Have you ever seen the David Bowir video for the song let's dance? At the end of it he's on a beach playing a guitar solo in gloves. A guitar solo that was originally played by Stevie Ray and I'm sure he did it without gloves. The point I'm getting at is that just cause you saw it in a video doesn't mean that the song was recorded with that guitar.
I have another analogy for you.
You can use a knife as a screw driver. It works, no so well but it works. Same deal here. You can even take a file and smooth the teeth off and grind bevels on it and sharpen it to make it a knife but unless you wanted to do it for the sake of doing it there are easier ways to get there.
The point is. If sound is your priority there are better and easier tools for the job.
Have you ever seen the David Bowir video for the song let's dance? At the end of it he's on a beach playing a guitar solo in gloves. A guitar solo that was originally played by Stevie Ray and I'm sure he did it without gloves. The point I'm getting at is that just cause you saw it in a video doesn't mean that the song was recorded with that guitar.
I have another analogy for you.
You can use a knife as a screw driver. It works, no so well but it works. Same deal here. You can even take a file and smooth the teeth off and grind bevels on it and sharpen it to make it a knife but unless you wanted to do it for the sake of doing it there are easier ways to get there.
The point is. If sound is your priority there are better and easier tools for the job.
idsnowdog
Imperator of Indignation
Re: Single coils for metal?
Most single coils don't handle noise, distortion and volume well enough to do metal. EMG's, Livewires and HS-3's are humbuckers, so they can approach the volume and distortion levels necessary for metal. Otherwise the SSL5/6 and BKP Sinner can do metal, but you need a noise gate.
Most single coils don't handle noise, distortion and volume well enough to do metal. EMG's, Livewires and HS-3's are humbuckers, so they can approach the volume and distortion levels necessary for metal. Otherwise the SSL5/6 and BKP Sinner can do metal, but you need a noise gate.
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Benthedemon007
New member
Re: Single coils for metal?
For sabbathy stuff, single coils add a lot of character (although you kinda need SSL5s or at least texas specials, alongside a good noise gate.) For Metallica and heavier stuff, you need humbuckers.
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For sabbathy stuff, single coils add a lot of character (although you kinda need SSL5s or at least texas specials, alongside a good noise gate.) For Metallica and heavier stuff, you need humbuckers.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Re: Single coils for metal?
It was actually an ESP. Kirk might have used another guitar on the recording, and Kirk just used a stock ESP for the video.
It was actually an ESP. Kirk might have used another guitar on the recording, and Kirk just used a stock ESP for the video.
stratguy23
New member
Re: Single coils for metal?
The 2 main issues with single coils for metal are that (1) noise - high gain brings out 60hz hum even more, and (2) most single coils aren't designed to stay coherent under high gain. The type of metal might matter - if you're doing sludge, you might like loose and messy low end, but if you're doing technical stuff, your average stock Strat or Tele bridge pickup won't get far.
That said, not all single coils are the same. There is a rich tradition of P90's in metal (Sabbath, Goatsnake, Corrosion of Conformity), and the Quarter Pound can get heavy (Ritchie Blackmore, one guy here said he uses it for sludge).
EMGs being mostly high output and low noise, they don't represent "single coils" in the average sense.
The 2 main issues with single coils for metal are that (1) noise - high gain brings out 60hz hum even more, and (2) most single coils aren't designed to stay coherent under high gain. The type of metal might matter - if you're doing sludge, you might like loose and messy low end, but if you're doing technical stuff, your average stock Strat or Tele bridge pickup won't get far.
That said, not all single coils are the same. There is a rich tradition of P90's in metal (Sabbath, Goatsnake, Corrosion of Conformity), and the Quarter Pound can get heavy (Ritchie Blackmore, one guy here said he uses it for sludge).
EMGs being mostly high output and low noise, they don't represent "single coils" in the average sense.
probo_squad_henry
New member
Re: Single coils for metal?
Yngwie plays single coils. Thobbe from Sabaton uses stock fender strats I think
Yngwie plays single coils. Thobbe from Sabaton uses stock fender strats I think
Rschan.Ziar
New member
Re: Single coils for metal?
I do, as weird as it sounds. The pickups aren't the best (stock 1995 squier). But with the right amp and EQ it can sound pretty darn good. It gives a really sharp lead sounds which cuts easily trough the mix
I do, as weird as it sounds. The pickups aren't the best (stock 1995 squier). But with the right amp and EQ it can sound pretty darn good. It gives a really sharp lead sounds which cuts easily trough the mix
punchlinechar
New member
Re: Single coils for metal?
I'm pretty sure he only used the singles for the solo and intro in One
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I'm pretty sure he only used the singles for the solo and intro in One
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H
HiFiRebel
Guest
Re: Single coils for metal?
You can. Humbuckers will make the job easier though.
You can. Humbuckers will make the job easier though.
Re: Single coils for metal?
Don't think that what is used in a music video bares any resemblance to what was actually played on the album. A lot of those vid shoots can be using rental instruments, or whatever the artist happens to have about on the day of the shoot.
And Metallica albums of that time (...And Justice for All) was all James for the Rhythm tracks. Kirks only contribution to the recording were the solos.
Don't think that what is used in a music video bares any resemblance to what was actually played on the album. A lot of those vid shoots can be using rental instruments, or whatever the artist happens to have about on the day of the shoot.
And Metallica albums of that time (...And Justice for All) was all James for the Rhythm tracks. Kirks only contribution to the recording were the solos.
Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Re: Single coils for metal?
That is what I said as well.
Given the tone of the intro solo, I would be very surprised to find out that Kirk wasn't using a single coil of some kind. The outro solo may very well have been something like his Jackson.
That is what I said as well.
Given the tone of the intro solo, I would be very surprised to find out that Kirk wasn't using a single coil of some kind. The outro solo may very well have been something like his Jackson.
