Humbucker for overwound strat sound

[BDI]

It seems obvious- for strat sound, use strat pup. But the guitar I'm working with is HSH, and I was looking for a bridge humbucker that sounds like a ballsy strat bridge (like a SD SSL-5 or Dimarzio FS-1. Like a Gilmour type sound). Is such a bucker? It's fine if It needs to be split to get the desired sound- I just need a bucker to fill that H bridge spot. Thanks

 

[stubhead]

I'd go for a bright loud clear one like a Lawrence L500XL or the Duncan imitation Lawrence, the "Dimebucker." But rather than split it, go with series/parallel, or the 3-way series/split/parallel. The only "problem" is you'll have roughly three times the output of a decent single-coil, for which they have invented an amazing solution, called the "volume control." :headbang: And with time, you may find meaningful uses for all that extra vooom. DiMarzio's got something in that neighborhood, the D-Activator and X2N. There really is no such thing as a "distortion" pickup, just wimpy preamps. :evil4:

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

If you want more Stratty characteristics in a humbucker, than you may consider Dimarzio's Humbucker from Hell, or a GFS Dream 180 or Retrotron.

 

[fdesalvo]

HfH as mentioned above or go with one of them thar fancy P90s in a humbucker shell.

 

[Jumble Jumble]

SD Stag Mag, maybe.

 

[ezas]

I just got a vintage output Alnico II neck and on a black face amp I actually have to turn the tone Down! It's plenty stratty.

On my friends guitar we put an SD Li'l Scremin Demon (single coil size) and he really likes it alongside his BK Mother Milk. It's not real stratty sounding but he thinks it goes with his other pickups really well and gives him enough HB 'power' when he needs it.

 

[KaiserSoze]

If you have a strat pickup you're really fond of, there are adapters available to mount a single coil in a humbucker hole.  Ugly, but they work

 

[MSP]

Part of why humbuckers sound different to single coils is the width of their magnetic range compared to singles.  If you want a single coil sound in a humbucking sized pickup I second the P90-in-a-humbucker suggestion.  If you want a true humbucker that sounds like a Strat try a low-output humbucker of some kind, preferably a hand-wound one (they tend to be clearer).  Also, if you want a humbucker that sounds like a Strat, you're weird. 

 

[Jumble Jumble]

I'll probably get my face absolutely kicked off for suggesting this, but... How about a Lace Alumitone humbucker? That actually is kind of a single coil and it might be exactly what you're after. Of course, the looks aren't for purists.

 

[AutoBat]

How 'bout EMG 89, SA, 81 TW?  89 splits to an SA if you put it in the bridge, giving the later Gilmour tone, since that's what he was (is?) using.
or if this is a front loaded strat, just get a new pickguard & put single coils in it if that's the sound you're after.

 

[Jumble Jumble]

Yeah you haven't mentioned if it's got a pickguard! If it has, just get a new one!

Gilmour's playing his old SSL-5 again now, with the EMG guitar being used on one or two songs and for a bit of recording.

 

[Jeremiah]

I'll second the suggestion of the Seymour Duncan Stag Mag.

The JB also does a decent single-coil-like sound when split. Haven't tried parallel though.

 

[keeper006]

I think a DiMarzio Evolution would do what you're asking.

 

[musitron]

I dunno man... never met a humbucker that really captured that Strat sound..... don't forget one of the biggest things about that bridge Strat sound is the angle of the pickup.... the bass side is further away from the bridge so the low end doesn't get completely shut out, and the treble side is RIGHT beside the bridge, ensuring that twangy high end.

I'm kinda with the poster above in the whole "new pickguard / humbucker adapter" thing.  If you really want that Strat sound, you gotta do it like a Strat.  :glasses10:

 

[-CB-]

I once converted a strat to HHH using Duncan Phat Cat pickups.  The owner didn't like it, removed them, but I liked it! 

They really don't have the heavy wind P90 tone, but are very good at the light wind P90 tone.  Old P90's from the 50's and early-mid 60's were rather light wound, heavier as time progressed, with the heaviest being now (from Gibby at least).  The Phat's sounded pretty nice - IF you wanted that single coil sound, but bigger and phatter.

Another good choice - maybe better choice - is the Gibson P94 in the bridge.  That is one BALLSY pickup, but... its not really Strat toned.  I call the PhatCat my "musical" pickup, because its tone is so even, clear, retains brilliance and also has good bottom. 

 

[Johnfv]

Parallel wiring will help pretty much ANY humbucker have a more single coil tone (lowers the output, increases the highs but is still hum canceling).  All you need is a DPDT switch (you can put it on a tone knob for example).  More details here:
http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=17650.msg260587#msg260587

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

I've been playing the Dimarzio Evolution for years now, and while it's a very good, well balanced pickup, I can definitely say with confidence that I don't think it would fit the bill on this one.

The Stag Mag of all the humbuckers listed is probably the most appropriate of the choices, but since what you really want is a bolder/stronger Strat pickup in the bridge position, and it just so happens to be a humbucker hole, then you may consider a true strat pickup that would fit the bill, and then mount it in a humbucker adapter such as the following:
Slant ala Strat Bridge: http://www.guitarfetish.com/Humbucker-Rout-adapter-ring-Fits-Strat-pickup-ANGLED-THREE-COLORS-_p_4349.html
Straight ala Strat Neck/Middle: http://www.guitarfetish.com/Humbucker-Rout-adapter-ring-Fits-Strat-pickup-Straight-THREE-COLORS_p_4348.html

Not the most aesthetic looking thing, but if function over form is your game, then that should work.

Strat Pickup wise, the GFS True Coils are great choices, and easy on the wallet: http://www.guitarfetish.com/NEW-GFS-TRUE-COIL-Noise-Canceling-Single-Coil-Pickups_c_291.html

 

[stubhead]

I looked at that pickup singlecoil/humbucker ring and though, "Heck, I could whittle one of those out of some pickguard plastic in half an hour" and then I saw the $3.95 - just buy one, already.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

I looked at that pickup singlecoil/humbucker ring and though, "Heck, I could whittle one of those out of some pickguard plastic in half an hour" and then I saw the $3.95 - just buy one, already.

"It's as simple as that"  Velvet Jones, SNL, 1983.

 

[fdesalvo]

Just installed a Fralin Twang Master - this is what you want.  Total texas vibe with OD, though.  Be warned if you hate that tone, steer clear. :headbang: