What set of antiquity single coils to pair with Antiquity Humbucker?

[Deansizemore]

Anyone know of single Coils that pair up with the Antiquity Bridge Humbucker!?

I can’t find any posts about this anywhere.

It seems like the options are basically the Texas Hot and Surfer single coils.

I’m looking for a good match with that classic PAF output of the Humbucker so it isn’t a drastic volume or compression difference.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Mincer]

Welcome to the forum!

Thing is, as you get closer to the output of a humbucker, you start to lose the single coil sound. While it is easy to match the output of the humbucker, those pickups start to veer way off of a traditional single coil. So this leaves the choices to either sound Stratty, or equal the output of the humbucker. Then, of course, there is the hum. Without noise-cancelling singles, you will have hum in all positions except the humbucker alone.

So, what do you use the single coils for? What is more important- traditional Strat tone or volume balance?

 

[Deansizemore]

Hey! I definitely want to retain the traditional Strat tone. I’m a Nashville based player and a lot of what I do is the downtown music scene so covering a lot of tonal ground is important.

Basically I’m looking for something PAF heavy for the Humbucker and single coils that are comparable to that sound. The antiquity Humbucker sounds great in my gold top so I wanna stick with that sound.

My best guess so far is the antiquity surfer single coils.

my telecasters are both 52 reissue and all my gibsons are 57-59 style. Essentially I stay in that lower to mid output range for most of my pickups.

 

[Mincer]

The Surfers are outstanding Strat pickups, but they will be quieter than any humbucker. Honestly, those would be my choice with the Antiquity humbucker, even if they are quieter.

 

[Deansizemore]

Would pickup height affect the volume output to compensate?

 

[Mincer]

Would pickup height affect the volume output to compensate?

Yes, but there is a limit. On single coil pickups, the poles are actually magnets. So if they get too close, the strings don't vibrate freely, and you get weird overtones to the notes. HSS setups are always a compromise between volume balance and tone.

 

[jeremy]

if you used a neck humbucker, you might have better luck balancing tone and output. what controls does the guitar have? typical strat?

 

[Deansizemore]

Yes, but there is a limit. On single coil pickups, the poles are actually magnets. So if they get too close, the strings don't vibrate freely, and you get weird overtones to the notes. HSS setups are always a compromise between volume balance and tone.

Gotcha. Good point. I’d certainly rather have the stereotypical Strat tones out of the single coil.

 

[Deansizemore]

if you used a neck humbucker, you might have better luck balancing tone and output. what controls does the guitar have? typical strat?

Yes typical Strat controls. 5 way switch. I wanna keep the single coils however because I have several Les Pauls. I wanna cover more ground with this guitar.

 

[Chistopher]

I have a set of Antiquity II Surfers that are higher on my will than my own family.

 

[jeremy]

Yes typical Strat controls. 5 way switch. I wanna keep the single coils however because I have several Les Pauls. I wanna cover more ground with this guitar.

i meant use a neck model humbucker in the bridge position, slightly lower output and brighter which will better match the single coils in the neck and middle. 250k controls i assume?

 

[hamerfan]

i meant use a neck model humbucker in the bridge position, slightly lower output and brighter which will better match the single coils in the neck and middle. 250k controls i assume?

sounds like a good idea!