Stacked single coil vs parallel wired single coil sized humbucker

[cemy]

In my very limited experience, parallel wired full-size humbuckers can give a decent approximation of the sound and feel of single coil pickups. I presume when single coil sized humbuckers are parallel wired, the sound would be even closer to a true single coil. Though, I have no idea how that would compare to a stacked (noiseless) single coil.

I hate noise, so I'm not considering true single coils at all. I am, however, torn between a noiseless single coil pickup set like this one:
http://www.seymourduncan.com/pickup/classic-stack-plus-set
and a single coil sized humbucker set like this one:
http://www.seymourduncan.com/pickup/everything-axe-set

If I go with the humbucker option, I can put a switch that would make each humbucker wired in parallel, which, I hope, would make them sound similar to a single coil set. When I flip the switch back, I can get a humbucker sound (though not a real humbucker, because they are not full-size).

My question is what would be the difference in sound when the humbuckers are parallel wired, as compared to a noiseless single coil set?

If I can get a similar sound to (noiseless) single coil pickups using parallel wired single coil sized humbuckers, I would certainly favor the humbucker option, as, obviously, it would be more versatile (with an additional switch).

Also, should I even consider a duckbucker for the middle pickup with this kind of a setup (with a switch)?

Thanks!

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Stacked single coil vs parallel wired single coil sized humbucker

Single coil sized humbuckers you can hear the quack of each coil. Stacks emulate true single coils so you only hear one coil and it sounds closer to a true single coil.

 

[TVFV]

Re: Stacked single coil vs parallel wired single coil sized humbucker

What are you playing? What amp are you using?

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[BriGuy1968]

Re: Stacked single coil vs parallel wired single coil sized humbucker

Single coil sized humbuckers you can hear the quack of each coil. Stacks emulate true single coils so you only hear one coil and it sounds closer to a true single coil.

^^ This.

A humbucker running in parallel (even a single-sized one) does have a thinner sound, but still has a "smoothness" to it that you won't have in a stacked single. However, it will give you a broader palette of sound options... especially if you install a series/split/parallel switch instead of just series/parallel.

But if you want to get closer to a true single coil sound, the stack is the way to go.

 

[Synapsys]

Re: Stacked single coil vs parallel wired single coil sized humbucker

I have a SSS Strat clone with a Hot Rails in the bridge and Classic Stack Plus in the middle and neck. The HR is definitely higher output then the stacks in series, but I had a push/pull volume pot switching the HR from series to parallel. Veru convincing Strat tones in parallel either on its own and when combined with the middle stack.

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Stacked single coil vs parallel wired single coil sized humbucker

If a single coil size humbucker is wound to sound like a single coil, then you can leave it in series. Like Bardens. Some are made to emulate full size humbuckers, so they are wound hotter.

So the size of the pickup doesn't matter as much as how it's wound.

Stacked pickups are a slightly different situation. There's a lot of low end cancellation going on, since the two coils are out of phase. So they are usually wound fairly hot to compensate. Some newer designs, which borrow from the Kinmann patents, use a lower coil wound less, or with larger gauge wire, and then increase the inductance on that coil to make it more sensitive to noise. This reduces the phase cancelation.

I like to put a fuller sounding SC size HB at the neck and a very thin/bright middle pickup. That brings out the 2/4 position tones.


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[cemy]

Re: Stacked single coil vs parallel wired single coil sized humbucker

Thank you all for your answers. What I get out of your comments is that I shouldn't expect a parallel wired typical single coil sized humbucker to sound quite like a single coil pickup. As I understand, noiseless single coil pickups would do a noticeably better job at approximating a true single coil sound (whatever that is, since not all single coils sound the same anyway).

Therefore, I'm inclined to go with a noiseless single coil set. I might even add switches to flip them into true single coils.

In fact, I'm planning to get this set:
http://www.seymourduncan.com/pickup/classic-stack-plus-set

Thanks again!

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Stacked single coil vs parallel wired single coil sized humbucker

I'm saying for certain pickups you don't need to use parallel... if the pickup was voiced to sound like a single coil in series.

But some of these pickups are made to sound like full size humbuckers. They are a lot darker sounding. In that case parallel would be a good option.

Stacks always sound like single coils.


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[Mincer]

Re: Stacked single coil vs parallel wired single coil sized humbucker

Yeah, I don't think a parallel humbucker sounds close to a single coil. It isn't a bad sound, it just doesn't sound like a single coil. The Classic Stacks, however, are the real deal. True single coil sound that is noiseless. They are my favorite 'single coil' pickup (really). I'd pick them over any others. They are that good.

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Stacked single coil vs parallel wired single coil sized humbucker

Depends on the pickup. I never use single coils. I hate hum.


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[BriGuy1968]

Re: Stacked single coil vs parallel wired single coil sized humbucker

I'm saying for certain pickups you don't need to use parallel... if the pickup was voiced to sound like a single coil in series.

But some of these pickups are made to sound like full size humbuckers. They are a lot darker sounding. In that case parallel would be a good option.

Stacks always sound like single coils.


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Depends on the pickup. I never use single coils. I hate hum.


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Uhh... I'm confused. What the hell does any of this have to do with the OP's question, and why are you continuing to argue your lack of a point?

He's already made his decision, and it sounds like it's a sensible one for his needs and tastes... why confuse matters with this?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Stacked single coil vs parallel wired single coil sized humbucker

Yeah, I don't think a parallel humbucker sounds close to a single coil. It isn't a bad sound, it just doesn't sound like a single coil. The Classic Stacks, however, are the real deal. True single coil sound that is noiseless. They are my favorite 'single coil' pickup (really). I'd pick them over any others. They are that good.

Like all stacks, there's a bit of compression and a slight dampening of the tone though. The Classic Stacks are the best I've owned, but they're still not quite as open and lively as a Surfer or SSL-1.

Truthfully, no hum free single coil size pickup sounds exactly like a vintage Strat pickup. At this point in time, that has yet to be accomplished.

If a player insists that the pickups in his Strat be hum cancelling, he is going to have to accept some compromise. Because those hum cancelling pickups will never sound exactly like Strat pickups from the 50's and 60's.

The audience may not be aware of the difference...but if the player knows vintage Strat tone, he'll hear and feel the difference.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Stacked single coil vs parallel wired single coil sized humbucker

Yeah, but you are assuming that my goal is sounding like a vintage Strat pickup. It isn't. People have already mined that sound better than I'd ever care to. I *like* that compression and softer high end that the Classic Stack has.

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Stacked single coil vs parallel wired single coil sized humbucker

Yeah, but you are assuming that my goal is sounding like a vintage Strat pickup. It isn't. People have already mined that sound better than I'd ever care to. I *like* that compression and softer high end that the Classic Stack has.

Exactly. I couldn't care less if my guitars sound like vintage guitars, or guitars on recordings, etc. I just want tones I like that sound like me.

Too many people all sound the same these days.


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[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Stacked single coil vs parallel wired single coil sized humbucker

I always feel like something is missing when I play humcancelling Strat pickups. And something is missing...and not just the hum!

There's less top end. But I use pickups that sound a lot like single coils. I'm not trying to get a particular tone. So I don't care if it sounds just like a Strat.

Here's my Parker P-38 with some of my pickups. It's a full size pickup at the bridge, and two SC size humbuckers.

https://soundcloud.com/davidravenmoon/bleeding-on-the-inside-new-stereo-mix-no-vocals


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[Lewguitar]

Re: Stacked single coil vs parallel wired single coil sized humbucker

There's less top end. But I use pickups that sound a lot like single coils. I'm not trying to get a particular tone. So I don't care if it sounds just like a Strat.

Here's my Parker P-38 with some of my pickups. It's a full size pickup at the bridge, and two SC size humbuckers.

https://soundcloud.com/davidravenmoon/bleeding-on-the-inside-new-stereo-mix-no-vocals


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For me it's as much about "feel" as it is sound.

Some hum free single coils sound very good when I listen to someone else playing them. But the "feel" of the sound throws me off when I play them.

It's like the note doesn't sustain or expand or bloom in a way that inspires me to quit judging and just play.

Like being on a date with someone who should be a good fit...but you just don't click with them in person.

 

[TVFV]

Re: Stacked single coil vs parallel wired single coil sized humbucker

For me it's as much about "feel" as it is sound.

Some hum free single coils sound very good when I listen to someone else playing them. But the "feel" of the sound throws me off when I play them.

It's like the note doesn't sustain or expand or bloom in a way that inspires me to quit judging and just play.

Like being on a date with someone who should be a good fit...but you just don't click with them in person.

You remind me of Seinfeld a little when you say that.

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