Thin humbucker for SSS Strat bridge.

[skinslapper]

Hey everyone,

I'm very happy with sounds of my Squier VM 70s strat, but my band is moving in a heavier direction and I could use a humbucker option in the bridge as a 6th position.

The guitar has a Duncan Designed™ SC-101B Single-Coil pickup in the bridge. It's supposed to would like Richie Blackmores overwound Strat. My perfect replacement would sound exactly the same when split, but give a tad more chunk when in humbucking position.

I'm quite familiar with the JB and Distortion models, but I thought I'd open it up to the brains trust and see what you lovely people think I should get.

Thank you muchly.

 

[skinslapper]

https://www.strat-talk.com/threads/...technical-analysis-and-review-thereof.467148/

Here's some great info on the 101.

 

[wgmontgomery]

What kind of music do you play?
FWIW-I'm looking to replace my single coil bridge pup from my EBMM HH Cutlass and am leaning toward the JB Jr. I actually got a SHPR-1 & triple shot but can't find anyone who will install it. I only mention this (not trying to hijack your thread) as I was obviously looking for something versatile. Thus far the JB Jr seems like my best bet.
Plus I read somewhere that the JB is/was Seymour's favorite humbucker.
Goodluck!

 

[Mincer]

The JB Jr is a good choice, although instead of split, I'd recommend a series/parallel switch. It will get the heavier sounds without sounding too dark.

 

[skinslapper]

What kind of music do you play?
FWIW-I'm looking to replace my single coil bridge pup from my EBMM HH Cutlass and am leaning toward the JB Jr. I actually got a SHPR-1 & triple shot but can't find anyone who will install it. I only mention this (not trying to hijack your thread) as I was obviously looking for something versatile. Thus far the JB Jr seems like my best bet.
Plus I read somewhere that the JB is/was Seymour's favorite humbucker.
Goodluck!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/z9izrh0xxgrju6f/Minutemen demo.mp3?dl=0

Here's a demo of a track that I think could use some more hb OOMPH, in the chorus.

 

[Mincer]

Yeah, I think the JB Jr would be fine.

 

[skinslapper]

Thanks for the responses,

I'm leaning towards the JB Jr but a couple of things don't add up for me. Firstly, I'm worried it won't sound right in split mode as the output will be lower than my current pickup. Also the JB Jr is ceramic but my SC101 and the original JB are alnico V. Second to that I'm concerned the humbucker will be too loud compared to the other pickups.

Which leads me to a new idea. Should I try putting a second single coil next to the SC101b? I'm thinking put an Alnico II pro, right next to it, slanted. They'd be in series on position 6 and the pro would be taken out on every other position. The lower output would hopefully not be too muddy or loud and I'd get to keep my current tones.

Thoughts?

 

[Clint 55]

I've done that before and it's pretty cool. If single coil tones are the most important to you it's worth it because even with the 2 singles in series they still retain their character and it sounds like a 'single coil-y' humbucker. The only drawback is that there is even MORE string pull, but you can get it to work.

 

[ItsaBass]

There are plenty of Strat sized stacks that, as full stacked humbuckers, will probably give you the boosted sound that you want. The problem comes when you say you want just "a tad" more chunk. Most stacked humbuckers are equally wound. For example, no problem finding a stacked humbucker in the 12 to 14 K range. But if you want it to tap down to, say 10 or 11 K, as opposed to to the halfway point, you run into problems in your search. There might be a handful of pickups out there that do this, but I don't know of them offhand.

The first thing I would be try would be the tapped version of the 1/4 Lb. Strat bridge pickup. It's a 50 percent tap, but the tapped pickup still sounds stronger than a typical Strat bridge pickup. It's not humbucking in either orientation, but you might like what you get anyhow.

 

[Mincer]

A JB Jr will absolutely overpower your other pickups. That's the point. It is a rockin' pickup. It also doesn't do all that well split, which is why many use a parallel sound (this balances better with single coils.
Don't judge a pickup solely by the magnet, though. It is just a way to get a specific sound.
Using 2 regular singles together in series is an interesting sound, but it doesn't sound remotely like a humbucker at all.

 

[donaldr]

Maybe just adding SD Pickup Booster pedal?

 

[Mincer]

Maybe just adding SD Pickup Booster pedal?

That is another great choice. It is a pedal that does exactly what the OP does, and you don't lose anything.