Single coils that match well with hot humbuckers?

Rex Rocker

Rex Rocker

Well-known member
I have a DiMarzio SDS-1 in my Strat matched with a Duncan Custom in the bridge. I don't like it, LOL. I mean, on its own, it's alright. I just feel it's a little whimpy when it comes to output, and there is a volume jump when switching between them clean, unless I really crank up the height of the SDS-1 to the point where I start running into other issues.

The other thing which I'm not in love with is it's supposed to sound P90-esque, right? IMO, it doesn't. It sounds like a Ceramic single coil, not fat like a P90 at all.

I've been debating wether I want a single-coil-sized humbucker in there. I kinda don't, because I already have neck humbuckers in my other guitars. But I also don't want a whimpy single coil that doesn't match a hot bridge humbucker.

So what do you guys use to match with hot bridge humbuckers?

:)
 
A good compressor pedal is invaluable when blending humbuckers and singlecoils in my opinion. It'll let you choose your pickups based on how they sound, and you can balance them with the compressor. I have several HSS and HSH guitars and couldn't imagine not using a compressor at this point. When set correctly, you don't really know that it's on until you turn it off.
 
I've had some Horizons with a Cool Rails at the neck matched with a hot bridge humbucker. They pair well imho and the Cool Rails sound pretty Stratty to me.
 
Nitrobattery said:
A good compressor pedal is invaluable when blending humbuckers and singlecoils in my opinion. It'll let you choose your pickups based on how they sound, and you can balance them with the compressor. I have several HSS and HSH guitars and couldn't imagine not using a compressor at this point. When set correctly, you don't really know that it's on until you turn it off.
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I use a compressor pedal for my clean tone, and yes that fixes like 90% of the issue clean.

But then distorted, there is obviously no volume jump, but it does feel hard and dry to play through that single coil when setting up a lead sound to work with the bridge.

I guess I just don't like traditional Fender-style single coils matched with high output bridge pickups. Or with humbuckers in general, if I must be honest. I kinda want something that still doesn't sound like a humbucker, but that doesn't sound weak and scratchy.
 
I’m in love with the DiMarzio Area 67 in the neck position of a 22 fret strat. Singing/blusey/ great harmonics and note separation for lead. Mine is paired with a DMT Baker Act in the bridge. Great tones :)
 
If you actually want them volume matched you're going to have to switch to actives or use a boost pedal or compressor
 
Duncan YJM is what I’ve been using for about 6-7 years now and it fits the bill extremely well.
 
NorCal_Val said:
Duncan Quarter Pounder
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I used to have a QP for Tele in the bridge position of a Squier. I loved it, but it does seem like it's a completely different pickup altogether. Different DCR which probably means different wire gauge, coil dimensions, etc.

What are the Strat QP's like?
 
Rex Rocker said:
I used to have a QP for Tele in the bridge position of a Squier. I loved it, but it does seem like it's a completely different pickup altogether. Different DCR which probably means different wire gauge, coil dimensions, etc.

What are the Strat QP's like?
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I have the Quarter Pounder in 3 super strat style guitars. In 2 of those, I have fairly hot humbuckers in the bridge position. The Quarter Pounder keeps up nicely with both.
 
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