Single Coils to compliment my TB4

[mgatto]

Hello,

I have a G&L Legacy Deluxe with a Duncan TB4 in the bridge and two G&L vintage-style Alnico V's singles in the Middle and Neck; I've had a problem with the singles matching the humbucker's output forever. Now I'm thinking of replacing the singles with higher output Duncan pickups; maybe a stacked humbucker to fit the single cavities; anyone have any advice? I have a maple neck, the body is Figured Maple Top over American Tilia; see it (w/ rosewood neck) here:

http://www.glguitars.com/instruments/instruments.asp?prcode=LegacyDeluxe

I play hard rock, blues style. Any thoughts are appreciated!

Thanks
Mike

 

[jeremy]

Re: Single Coils to compliment my TB4

do you want to keep the single coil tone in both positions or are you looking for something a little fatter

 

[mgatto]

Re: Single Coils to compliment my TB4

I'd love to keep the tonal variety between the singles and humbucker; I really just want to equal the output w/ the humbucker if possible.

THANKS!

do you want to keep the single coil tone in both positions or are you looking for something a little fatter

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Single Coils to compliment my TB4

There you´ll unfortunately have a problem, as compared to single coils the JB is a flamethrower..... Lowering the B will unfortunately change your tone on teh bridge, but may be the best solution. It´s definitely the cheapest, so I´d try it

 

[koolkat]

Re: Single Coils to compliment my TB4

I'd love to keep the tonal variety between the singles and humbucker; I really just want to equal the output w/ the humbucker if possible.

Since you're wanting to keep the single-coil vibe, I would check out the Quarter-Pound's. Lots of output, very punchy, and should balance better with the JB. If you do decide you want to go with a single-sized humbucker, you can't beat the cool rails in the neck and a vintage rails in the middle.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Single Coils to compliment my TB4

Stay away from the classic stacks. Very weak compared to JB.

 

[mgatto]

Re: Single Coils to compliment my TB4

Thanks!!

I think I'm leaning toward either the Quarter Pound (SSL-4) or Quarter-Pound Staggered (SSL-7)

It seems they are similar except for the staggered pole pieces; does that make a difference tonally?

Is it ok to put the same pickup in the middle and neck or will they both sound the same?

Thanks!

 

[Artie]

Re: Single Coils to compliment my TB4

The Tele-clone in my sig has a pair of QP's in the neck and middle, and originaly had a JB in the bridge. If I recall, the QP's actually overpowered the JB. Not a lot, it was still a good sound, but the QP's were definitely stronger.

If you go the QP route, (I love 'em), you may want to opt for the "tapped" versions. Add a single push/pull pot to tap them and you get the nice "jangle" of more vintage singles, and the more humbucker-ish depth of them full-on.
Also, when you tap them, the JB is a bit stronger. When full-on the QP's are a bit stronger. Its a good selection of sounds.

Its especially nice to have the "tapped" option in the #2 notch position.

 

[mgatto]

Re: Single Coils to compliment my TB4

After discussing my problem with the guitar tech at my local shop, I think I'm going to try the Cool Rails in the Middle and a Little 59er in the neck. I may have a push/ pull tap switch added too for even more tonal variety.

So it would be:

TB4 - Bridge

Cool Rails - Middle

Little 59er - Neck

Thanks for all the input!

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Single Coils to compliment my TB4

Well, while that setup will sound good, it´s not going to be very versatile at all..... the Cool Rails and Lil´59 are quite similar, and with the exception of the JB (split) there´s not a good single tone in there IMO..

I´d at least go with a Duckbucker or Vintage rails for the middle if you still want anything resembling a strat tone

 

[mgatto]

Re: Single Coils to compliment my TB4

Thanks for the tip Zerberus! What if I split the cool rails or little 59er?

I like the idea of the Duckbucker in the middle; how's the output on that?

 

[Artie]

Re: Single Coils to compliment my TB4

..... the Cool Rails and Lil´59 are quite similar . . .

Thats interesting. I just, in the last month, swapped a Lil 59 out for a Cool Rails in my Strat, and they don't strike me as similar at all. The Lil 59 was smooth and warm, while the CR has a definite "spank", or punch to it.

I'll agree that it isn't classic "single-coil" sound at all, but I think it's become my favorite Duncan pup.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Single Coils to compliment my TB4

Thanks for the tip Zerberus! What if I split the cool rails or little 59er?

I like the idea of the Duckbucker in the middle; how's the output on that?

IMO both sound like total crap split, thin and low output, make a real single could sound like a P-90 to my ears... but tone is subjective, I personally don´t really find any of the lil or rails series very usable wen split....

The duckbucker and Vintage rails are essentially the same pickup, one as a rails one as a Polepiece design (analog to the Lil 59/cool rails)....AFAIK that´s currently as close to a vintage strat tone as the duncan like gets in a "side by side " design... for now ...

output is higher than a vintage single coil, but not by too much

Artie: They don´t sound identical by any means, I personally find the Cool rails to be like a ´59 with an ssl-1 mixed in to about 33%, maybe a bit more, and the lil 59 doesn´t have quite that strong of a "snap" to the tone., but adds a bit of beef.. my experience with the DB/VR is practically identical, but interestingly enough "reversed", the duckbucker sounds "truer" to a real SC to me.....

My personal favorite is definitely the Cool Rails, though.. just sounds great, hard to desribe, but great

 

[Artie]

Re: Single Coils to compliment my TB4

Artie: They don´t sound identical by any means, I personally find the Cool rails to be like a ´59 with an ssl-1 mixed in to about 33%, maybe a bit more, and the lil 59 doesn´t have quite that strong of a "snap" to the tone., but adds a bit of beef.. my experience with the DB/VR is practically identical, but interestingly enough "reversed", the duckbucker sounds "truer" to a real SC to me.....

My personal favorite is definitely the Cool Rails, though.. just sounds great, hard to desribe, but great

That, I'd agree with.

Its funny, but of all the Duncans that I've tried, the Cool Rails seems to be the one pup that has the most unique character. Then again, I haven't tried any of the mini-hums, P-90's, or Phat Cats. All in good time.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Single Coils to compliment my TB4

...Its funny, but of all the Duncans that I've tried, the Cool Rails seems to be the one pup that has the most unique character. .....

I agree fully... It´s not a Hum, it´s not a single coil, it´s not something really in between... It´s just plain COOL and has Rails... that´s the only way I can image how they got the name... and it fits like a glove :headbang: