bassface732
Newbie
- Messages
- 18
Hey everyone!
I’m building an HSS Strat and need help picking the right bridge humbucker that’s balanced with low-output single coils but still rocks when needed.
✔ Seymour Duncan 59/Custom Hybrid – Love this pickup in my Eastman T386, but it’s quite a bit hotter than the Lollars and might cause volume drop issues when switching pickups. Also not sure if it will coil split as well as the Thornbucker+.
✔ Seymour Duncan Saturday Night Special – A modern PAF with more bite than the Thornbucker+, but still a bit hotter than the Lollars, and may be the worst of the 3 for coil splitting.
Right now, I’m leaning toward the Thornbucker+ (assuming poor demo quality is making it seem duller than it really is). But I don’t want to regret my choice if it doesn’t hit hard enough.
It's tough to make a call based on low-quality YouTube videos and written info... so I'm asking all of you!


I’m building an HSS Strat and need help picking the right bridge humbucker that’s balanced with low-output single coils but still rocks when needed.
What I’m Looking For:
- Classic Strat tones (quacky notch positions, chimey cleans).
- Great overdriven neck pickup sounds (Hendrix, SRV, Frusciante).
- A bridge humbucker that can handle modern hard rock/alternative (think Mesa Dual Rec tones).
- Needs to coil split well for strong quack in position 2.
- Needs to stay somewhat balanced with lower-output Lollar Blondes in the neck/middle.
Pickups I’ve Considered:
✔ Suhr Thornbucker+ – Seems ideal on paper (medium output, great coil split, clarity), but in YouTube demos it sounds a little dull or less tight than I’d hoped. Written reviews praise its articulation, so I’m unsure if poor video quality is throwing me off.✔ Seymour Duncan 59/Custom Hybrid – Love this pickup in my Eastman T386, but it’s quite a bit hotter than the Lollars and might cause volume drop issues when switching pickups. Also not sure if it will coil split as well as the Thornbucker+.
✔ Seymour Duncan Saturday Night Special – A modern PAF with more bite than the Thornbucker+, but still a bit hotter than the Lollars, and may be the worst of the 3 for coil splitting.
My Dilemma:
I love my JB-equipped Warmoth Tele and my 59/Custom Hybrid-equipped Eastman, but I don’t want my Strat to feel redundant if I give it another modern-sounding bridge pickup. I need a humbucker that’s unique enough to justify the build, while still rocking hard when needed.Right now, I’m leaning toward the Thornbucker+ (assuming poor demo quality is making it seem duller than it really is). But I don’t want to regret my choice if it doesn’t hit hard enough.
It's tough to make a call based on low-quality YouTube videos and written info... so I'm asking all of you!
My Questions for You:
- Will the Thornbucker+ rock hard enough for me? Is it clear under gain? Will it cut through a mix?
- ...or should I go with a hotter humbucker and manage the volume differences? Any suggestions on how to do this?
- How well do the 59/Custom Hybrid or Saturday Night Special coil split in position 2?
- Is there another humbucker I haven’t considered that would fit my needs even better?

