Author Topic: Humbucker vs Singlecoil (Read 1940 times)

Pizzaking · « **on:** December 20, 2007, 12:40:25 AM »

So I'm looking to upgrade my Mexican Fender Stratocaster. I was thinking of changing the bridge pickup first since I'm looking for a nice woman tone to play solos with. Is a humbucker for a bridge pickup a bad idea? And what kind of pickup would you suggest for the "woman tone". If you don't know what I'm talking about search Eric Clapton on youtube.

gingataff · « **Reply #1 on:** December 20, 2007, 01:15:09 AM »

Woman tone from a strat would be a job for a neck pickup rather than a bridge. A slowhand might work with the tone pot rolled down, or if you really want to go humbucker check the routing under the scratchplate to see if you have space and you can then get a new scratchplate.

Philly Q · « **Reply #2 on:** December 20, 2007, 11:01:35 AM »

I read an interview with the late amp/FX maker and SRV/Clapton associate Cesar Diaz once, where he said the best "woman tone" (I've always hated that term :roll: ) came from a bridge humbucker with the tone rolled down. :?

I think Clapton says he used the neck pickup, though, and it sounds best to me with a neck humbucker.

If you did decide to get a humbucker for your Strat, I'd go with something vintage output if that kind of tone's important. It's not the same with higher-output pickups. Mule probably?

Or you could stick with single-coils and maybe get an active mid-boost circuit like the Clapton Strat.

badgermark · « **Reply #3 on:** December 20, 2007, 11:08:33 AM »

Mexican strats have a SSH routing. Humbucker in the bridge would be fine.

As for the woman tone, wasn't it both humbuckers in a GIBSON with the tone rolled down? Something like the Mule or Stormy Monday will be fine. Also, maybe the Apache? A mellow pickup should do the job.

Elliot · « **Reply #4 on:** December 20, 2007, 11:19:37 AM »

Slowhands and a Mule bridge would go well in this case. But to get Woman tone you would need to change the cap for the bridge and sacrifice a tone control for the middle or neck to give the bridge its own tone control. and the Mule would be a bit brighter than in EC's Les Paul as the body wood is brighter.

Elliot · « **Reply #5 on:** December 20, 2007, 11:25:57 AM »

Why don't you take a lesson from young Mr Clapton himself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4vxOoSS5RY

look at 1.55 onwards