Author Topic: Neck and Middle singlecoils for my Charvel (Read 1800 times)

_tom_ · « **on:** January 21, 2007, 03:46:43 PM »

Got to have a go with my new guitar through my amp today, the bridge humbucker isnt bad so its staying for the time being, but the singles sound pretty weak - kinda thin and harsh. I use the singles for cleans, lead playing and bluesy stuff so they need to be pretty versatile really.

The bridge Jackson pickup is apparently 16k dc resistance (according to some HC reviews) so I dont want anything too quiet or weak sounding, but I may change the humbucker at some point to a VHII or HD, so I guess I dont want the singlecoils to overpower that.

Big, smooth and rounded but still with that defined singlecoil tone is what I want. I'm thinking Slowhand, Irish Tour or Trilogy, but cant really decide, I'll email Tim soon and see what he says I guess.

One more thing, the current singles have staggered magnets but the fretboard is flat, so should I really bother with staggered or will flat profile be best?

Thanks

38thBeatle · « **Reply #1 on:** January 21, 2007, 04:18:13 PM »

I haven't tried the IT's or Trilogies but the Slowhands do have a nice rounded Strat tone.

JamesHealey · « **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2007, 01:29:26 PM »

VHII, and x2 Irish Tour..

Tom i promise ya u won't regret it! :P

_tom_ · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2007, 08:22:03 PM »

I always thought the Irish Tours would be more of an aggressive strat tone as they're named after Gallagher and I find his tone quite raw and aggressive... So you reckon they'd do nice smooth fluid leads (obviously not as smooth as humbucker) and big warm clean?

tremblox · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2007, 08:52:05 PM »

I would suggest the Apaches - these are just the opposite of "thin and harsh". These are full bodies classic strat pickups with, I find, a good deal of warmth an no shrillness at all. Perfect for cleans and blues. I think you should avoid Alnico V pickups as if anything I think they can tend towards "shrillness". I do not think Apaches would be largely underpowered by a VHII. Do have a listen to the clips and see what you think.

tremblox

_tom_ · « **Reply #5 on:** January 22, 2007, 10:35:45 PM »

Just got the email back from Tim, he recommended Trilogys and a Crawler for the Charvel so I think I may go for those - Tim is rarely wrong :P

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2007, 11:15:54 PM »

It all depends on what you will put in the bridge ultimatley, they need to match up with the bridge in some way to create a good sound, you can't have huge gain on the bridge then switch to lowest output single because it won't work very well.

Look at the BKP HSS sets, Tim created those and he has put each pickup to what he thinks will work the best with eachother.