Single Coils sound SHRILL like breaking glass!

[Jacew]

Re: Single Coils sound SHRILL like breaking glass!

This statement is just nuts to me. "Growly" is largely a right hand thing (no small part of it comes from deliberate fret rattling), and amp settings play a large part too. Pickup output only matters in how it affects the right hand technique required to get the growl. Pickup e.q. doesn't matter, as long as you have an amp, or something in your rig, that lets you tweak the e.q.

If you can't get growly out of a single coil, then you just need to try harder. E.q. it so it growls in the desired register. Hit the strings such that you'd growl even unplugged.

Never thought it that way. I associate that growl to a combination of dialing in right tone for the job and employing very light palm muting for the effect.

I've made a point of getting as little rattle as possible through my playing years. It just usually sounds bad.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Single Coils sound SHRILL like breaking glass!

Then we have three people in the thread with very different definitions of "growl."

Growl to me is a low-midrangey, buzzy, sustained idling chainsaw sound - impossible to get with any degree of palm muting. Muting creates barks and woofs, not growls.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Single Coils sound SHRILL like breaking glass!

The difference in tone and performance between humbuckers and singles that you have described is typical. Is this your first Strat? Maybe you just don't get along with the Strat type sound. That's OK, nothing wrong with that. But if you like the feel and playability of the Strat maybe just get yourself a good EQ pedal with a level control that you plug your Strat into. Then you don't have to mess up any settings that you already have with your amp, etc.

 

[guitargeorge]

Re: Single Coils sound SHRILL like breaking glass!

Use the tone knob.

Theres' your winner!

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Single Coils sound SHRILL like breaking glass!

Theres' your winner!

For many years, I just put the tone and volume at full . . . and then complained bitterly about pickups being too shrill. There's a whole world of awesome sounds available if you give that little guy a twirl. Now I tend to adjust them a couple times each song and sound much better for it.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Single Coils sound SHRILL like breaking glass!

This statement is just nuts to me. "Growly" is largely a right hand thing (no small part of it comes from deliberate fret rattling), and amp settings play a large part too. Pickup output only matters in how it affects the right hand technique required to get the growl. Pickup e.q. doesn't matter, as long as you have an amp, or something in your rig, that lets you tweak the e.q.

If you can't get growly out of a single coil, then you just need to try harder. E.q. it so it growls in the desired register. Hit the strings such that you'd growl even unplugged.

I don't think we are talking about the same sound. I get what I call a growly sound picking light with barely any gain. The sound I have in my head is impossible with a single coil- it is literally the sound of a humbucker in the neck position, to me. So it is a question of a different definition for the same word.

 

[comstox]

Re: Single Coils sound SHRILL like breaking glass!

Okay guys... "Growly" may not totally describe the tone I like. But I DON'T like shattering glass. Clapton in "Bad Love." I like that sound. Even without the Wah.

I think JimmyO has the right idea, I simply may not be able to have my BOSS nailed in for cool Humbucker tones, then hop on over to my Strat, which just really stinks.

But I am trying to sort this all out.
BTW, What is that Clapton Mid Boost that someone mentioned? Is that a device like a pedal, or what?

Thanks guys! - You are always so great with advice!

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Single Coils sound SHRILL like breaking glass!

It’s a knob that replaces one of the tone controls on your guitar. Do you have another OD pedal? Maybe try dialing it in for the Strat.

 

[comstox]

Re: Single Coils sound SHRILL like breaking glass!

Guys, I have decided what to do: I have the GAFC foot controller for my Boss Katana. It has TWO BANKS with FOUR programmable channels on each. I'll dial one side in for the Strat, and the other for my Humbuckers.
Not really what I want to do, but it'll work for now.

Thanks again for all of the good advice!