NECK PICKUP --> Single-Coil vs Humbucker - LET THE ARGUING BEGIN!!!

[ToneMonkey]

I think Tim should make a pickup where you can switch between HB, single coil and P90  :?

Probably impossible, but it wouldn't half be badass.

[Philly Q]

I think Tim should make a pickup where you can switch between HB, single coil and P90  :?

Probably impossible, but it wouldn't half be badass.

[Cough]Well, it's certainly possible.....[/Cough]

http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/humbucker/progressive/prails_shpr1/

But I shouldn't think Tim would want to step on someone else's toes like that.

[ToneMonkey]

Clever, but ugly as :censored:

That's just so wrong on every single level.

[Crunch]

I think Tim should make a pickup where you can switch between HB, single coil and P90  :?

Probably impossible, but it wouldn't half be badass.

[Cough]Well, it's certainly possible.....[/Cough]

http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/humbucker/progressive/prails_shpr1/

But I shouldn't think Tim would want to step on someone else's toes like that.

I've been wanting to see more variation from this design, for years. I suspect SD would be real quick to sue over someone else making one, though.

[Philly Q]

Clever, but ugly as :censored:

That's just so wrong on every single level.

Yeah, I sort of agree - I like the concept, I'm sure it sounds good (although both the "humbucker" and "single-coil" seem to be somewhat compromised to make room for the "P-90"), but it is so ugly I wouldn't want one in a guitar... might suit something like a Godin, though.

It's got almost too many options, as well - split/humbucker/split on a 3-way's the obvious choice, but series/parallel would be really interesting too.

[darkbluemurder]

All solutions have their pros and cons:

Humbucker:
+ does not hum
+ sounds fat, especially for leads in the upper register
+ if fitted with a 4 conductor wire provides most potential for versatility
- bass strings may be too boomy and muddy
- output should not be too high

Single Coil:
+ always sounds clear and bright
- hums (humfree alternatives available, unfortunately not from BKP)

P90:
+ tonally the best compromise of all, warm high strings and still clear low strings
- hums even more (even less alternatives available)

Listing is not meant to be exhaustive.
Just my 0.02c.

Cheers Stephan

[ToneMonkey]

I've been trying to work out the pro's and cons of installing a dummy coil in the guitar body (so it can't be seen) and seeing if this can be used for hum cancelling on a set P90's.

[Crunch]

I've been trying to work out the pro's and cons of installing a dummy coil in the guitar body (so it can't be seen) and seeing if this can be used for hum cancelling on a set P90's.

There's an idea!
Why not use the useless middle single coil route on a super strat? It's just a quack-factory, anyway.

...quacktory...

[ToneMonkey]

That's more or less what I was thinking, except for mounting it in the body so it can't be seen from the front (I find HSH guitars ugly).

It's innovation number six on the guitar that I've been designing in my head for the last five years. One day I'll get round to building it  :lol:

[Crunch]

That's more or less what I was thinking, except for mounting it in the body so it can't be seen from the front (I find HSH guitars ugly).

It's innovation number six on the guitar that I've been designing in my head for the last five years. One day I'll get round to building it  :lol:

I have a skewed opinion on "ugly," it seems. I don't pine after the HSH, but I certainly don't mind it. Then again, if the guitar has rust/tape/scars/gaping holes, I'm more fond of it.

[Philly Q]

I've been trying to work out the pro's and cons of installing a dummy coil in the guitar body (so it can't be seen) and seeing if this can be used for hum cancelling on a set P90's.

Gibson did that on one of the Nighthawk series - I think it was called the Blueshawk model.  The dummy coil had its own little cavity with a cover on the back.

And there's Music Man's "Silent Circuit", I think that involves a dummy coil.  And Suhr's "BPSSC" which again ivolves a dummy coil attached to an oversized backplate (not sure what you do if your guitar doesn't have a backplate!).

They're all good ideas, but they seem a bit fiddly with the wiring.  And (depending on who you believe) they don't seem to leave the tone completely unaffected.  I'm not convinced it's any better a solution than a set of Virtual Vintages or Kinmans (I'd really like to try their P-90s, but they're hugely expensive).

[Telerocker]

- I had a Blueshawk (a blue one with cream P90's). Sounded good, but sold it cause I somehow never took it on stage. Maybe too many soundoptions. I preferred my tele.

- This thread is actually a non-discussion. When you play SRV you will prefer a singlecoil in the neck.
For Satriani-stuff you want a hb. Just an example. Every style dictates somewhat which guitar you pick.
 

[Zaned]

You're probably not gonna get a pickup that does it all. Seeing that you've chosen humbucker for the bridge, one thing to have in mind is that the neck single coil will probably give a drop in volume, which is something you might not like, if you like to play lead on it too. YMMV! But for very nice cleans and still thick distorted humbucker sounds, a good HSS (or HS) guitar is.. good :)

Personally if I were you, I would choose a humbucker for neck position, one that splits well. My brother's custom strat has a NB set, and switching configuration we got from Brian Moore guitars (my friend used to have one). It's the C-55 pickup configuration in the link posted below, if you're interested.

http://iguitarworkshop.com/Custom%20Shop-Owners%20Manual.pdf

It's a very, very versatile combination, and the split buckers sound very good too!

-Zaned

[Crunch]

You're probably not gonna get a pickup that does it all. Seeing that you've chosen humbucker for the bridge, one thing to have in mind is that the neck single coil will probably give a drop in volume, which is something you might not like, if you like to play lead on it too. YMMV! But for very nice cleans and still thick distorted humbucker sounds, a good HSS (or HS) guitar is.. good :)

Personally if I were you, I would choose a humbucker for neck position, one that splits well. My brother's custom strat has a NB set, and switching configuration we got from Brian Moore guitars (my friend used to have one). It's the C-55 pickup configuration in the link posted below, if you're interested.

http://iguitarworkshop.com/Custom%20Shop-Owners%20Manual.pdf

It's a very, very versatile combination, and the split buckers sound very good too!

-Zaned

I'm actually surprised no one has suggested coil splitting. If they have, I apologise for not noticing.
Just do this to make your own decision. If you like the single coil sound, but need a but more "oomph," grab an HSP90.

[Lukie]

I think Tim should make a pickup where you can switch between HB, single coil and P90  :?

Probably impossible, but it wouldn't half be badass.

[Cough]Well, it's certainly possible.....[/Cough]

http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/humbucker/progressive/prails_shpr1/

But I shouldn't think Tim would want to step on someone else's toes like that.

I have a set of these! been in 2 different guitars and currently homeless. They where very high output with lots of switching options but I spent more time fiddling with the switches searching for the best sound than playing guitar. Never quite got the sound I wanted either. If you had a set Tim could probably rewind them for you.