Author Topic: Single coil sized humbuckers (Read 3654 times)

infinite1funk · « **on:** January 10, 2006, 03:09:22 AM »

I read some things on the forum about how they're in disfavour here. However if I'm not mistaken (and I realize I very might well be, feel free to correct me) the first hum cancelling single coil size p/u's were made by Lawrence or Barden in the late 70's? By that point no one was using formvar wire or plain enamel to wind their pickups or any of the other high quality parts Bare Knuckle uses.

So if you were to make one the quality wouldn't even be comparable to anything made before and might sound really great. Maybe Tim has already done this and been displeased with the sound. They might not be exact single coil tone but maybe just as worthwile as another alternative doing their own thing.

Tim · « **Reply #1 on:** January 10, 2006, 01:47:39 PM »

The thing with single coil sized humbuckers is they don't sound like a good single or a good humbucker.Pickup tone consists of many variable, obviously wire and magnet combinations but as important as coil size and height.

The main thing with cancelling the hum in a single coil is it looses it's edge as not only are the 50/60 cycle frequencies cancelled but others too which contribute to the tone.
On the other hand a humbucker gets it's rich tone from cancelling hum and also the fact the pickup is so much larger, picking up tone from a wider area.

At the end of the day, I personally feel it's too much of a compromise.Don't take this as knocking other makers humcancelling singles-everything serves a purpose for different types of players.Some sound better than others, it's just none do it for me so I channel my energies into areas I feel worth developing.

infinite1funk · « **Reply #2 on:** January 10, 2006, 07:53:58 PM »

Tim what's your opinion on dummy coil and other (are there any other?) means of dealing with 60 cycle hum? what about a dummy coil that's nowhere near the strings? Is that possible?

Tim · « **Reply #3 on:** January 10, 2006, 08:33:37 PM »

Still the same issues really, once humcancelling comes into operation then the natural tone of the single coil is lost.
There are some great noiseless single coils out there, Kinman make some really good ones if super quiet Strat/Tele coils are what you're after but don't expect them to sound like a real single.

I did hear about some sort of aerial device that goes under the scratch plate which is supposed to attract RF away from the coils..................don't know anymore about it or if it works but in principal it sounds like a positive step.

infinite1funk · « **Reply #4 on:** January 11, 2006, 02:42:55 AM »

Cool. Thanks for the input.

Eric · « **Reply #5 on:** January 11, 2006, 05:20:22 AM »

I've heard what Tim is talking about. You can read a bit about it hear. http://www.online-discussion.com/Suhr/viewtopic.php?t=620

It will be released by Suhr Guitars and will be a refit for pretty much any guitar with a backplate.

I heard Suhr bought the patent off of someone but I forget whom.

I hope this helps. And I really hope it works.

Aheu · « **Reply #6 on:** March 20, 2006, 01:45:38 PM »

Quote from: Tim

... but don't expect them to sound like a real single...

Hello Tim

I'm the happy owner of 2 BKP : Riff Raff neck and Nailbmb bridge.
I put them on a Vigier and it's great.

But... For the singlecoilsize pickups I've owned :

Fast Track, Hot rail, Cool rail, Pro track, lil'59, Tone Zone S, Obl 450 etc etc

I love this style of pickups. It's not the sound of a Single coil and it's not the sound of a HB.

My problem is : find a singlecoilsize HB with the quality of a BKP :(

Thanks for your attention