Versatile humbuckers that can do a convincing single coil split sound? HSH setup

[Dioxic]

Hey guys,

I just recently bought BKP's for my Strat & am loving every ounce of tone I'm getting from them.

I've recently decided to build my own guitar in the HSH configuration & I definitely want to use BKP, but I'm not sure which ones are right for me.

I'm looking for a neck humbucker that sounds great on it's own, but can split & sound convincingly single coil, a good middle pick up for those quack 2 & 4 with split pick ups, & lastly a throaty neck that can rock, but still clean up nicely.

A great example is Guthrie Govan...he can go from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9NcaGCgqFk&feature=player_embedded to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yPEewaalik all with the same guitar!

I'm not necessarily looking for his tone exactly, but just something that'll split up nicely & be super versatile.

Any recommendations?

[Twinfan]

Greetings!

My favourite 'split' humbuckers have been Holydivers or Emeralds.  I like a fatter rounded tone.  If you wanted something a bit more edgy, VHIIs would be the ticket I think.

You might get an idea for single coil matches here:

http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/main/pickups.php?cat=strats&sub=hss&pickup=

[darkbluemurder]

Hi,

The HSH configuration is the most difficult if you want an all-purpose Swiss army knife guitar. For good split sounds the humbuckers need to be fairly strong so the vintage range is pretty much out.

What kind of guitar will it be - woods, construction, bridge type?

For the middle position I would look at the Irish Tour.

For bridge (I guess you meant the bridge pickup when you described "throaty"): the only BKPs I have tried in the split mode are the Miracle Man, the Abraxas and the Holydiver. All would work well.

I can mention a few neck humbuckers but I have not tried any of them split. To balance with the middle it will have to be fairly strong, e.g. like Aftermath or Painkiller neck. Miracle Man could work, too if it is a very bright guitar. Depending on the neck pickup chosen you may have to revisit the bridge position as you probably would not want a bridge pickup with less output than the neck pickup.

With so many open points at this time I guess it's best to give the BKP team a call and discuss the options.

Cheers Stephan

[Brow]

I have a Crawler/Irish Tour/ Irish Tour set in a HSS Strat and find the Crawler splits very well and matches up very well with the Irish Tours.

[Dioxic]

Hey guys! Thanks for the suggestions so far.

To make it a littler easier, I'll either be going with a mahogany back w/ a maple top or an ash back w/ a maple top.

A friend of mine had suggested Alnico Nail Bombers, but none of you seem to think that's a good idea.

I'm on my way out the door, but I'll check back later today & be able to give in-depth replies.

Thanks again!

[darkbluemurder]

To make it a littler easier, I'll either be going with a mahogany back w/ a maple top or an ash back w/ a maple top.

A friend of mine had suggested Alnico Nail Bombers, but none of you seem to think that's a good idea.

Why not? The Nailbomb is not overly strong in the center and high mids but the maple top could balance that out. The bridge should definitely be strong enough to split well (I have one in my Single Cut but I have not set it up to be split). The neck at close to 10k should also work well for splitting. I would not rule them out right now.

Cheers Stephan

[Telerocker]

I have a Crawler/Irish Tour/ Irish Tour set in a HSS Strat and find the Crawler splits very well and matches up very well with the Irish Tours.

I have the same set in an HSS-set. Very good set, but think you should look at Nailbombs or Holy Divers with an Irish Tour.

[Mr. Air]

Here's a thread with an example of the Nailbombs doing some cleanish stuff that sound quite stratty.

http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=14097.0