Most convincing single sized humbucker?

misplacedsanity · #1 02-18-2007, 01:10 PM

I've only had very limited experience with single coil sized humbuckers, I had a fast track in the neck of a Jackson pc3 quite some time ago. And to be honest I wasn't too impressed, have avoided them ever since.
Now Im starting a new project, I want to stick a clear pickguard on a strat body Ive just got. normaly I would just have it routed for a humbucker, but with the single route being wider than a humbucker route, I don't want it looking funky, so I'm going to get a hot single to drop in there. I know I'm never going to get a single to sound like a full size hum, but after seeing JimmyJ's review of the chopper in his strat, I guess these days you can get somewhat close. Any ideas? Air zone would have been my ideal choice for a humbucker.

waylay00 · #2 02-18-2007, 03:25 PM

I've heard the JB Jr., and it sounds pretty much like a humbucker. Haven't heard any DiMarzio mini humbuckers though.

sleepyone · #3 02-18-2007, 05:34 PM

I guess you're looking for a bridge pickup, so probably this won't help...anyway...try the Fast Track II in the neck position...it's AMAZING. It is suposed to be a bridge pickup but works wonders in the neck

rrhea · #4 02-18-2007, 06:13 PM

I have a FT II in the bridge of my Deluxe Strat and it awesome. I don't know how much more of a humbucker sound you could want. Very warm, high output and great tone.

RR

misplacedsanity · #5 02-18-2007, 06:47 PM

Many thanks, its a neck pickup I'm after. Ive always really liked hot humbuckers in the neck slot. Ive checked out the sound clips on the Duncan site, nothing there really takes my fancy. I can't get the dimarzio site to load, I can never get the dimarzio site to load. I guess a fast track or chopper is the way to go.

erikm5150 · #6 02-20-2007, 04:58 PM

Pro track or Air Norton S!

sleepyone · #7 02-20-2007, 07:01 PM

FTII all the way!

RG550BW · #8 03-01-2007, 07:25 AM

I have Virtual 2 neck model(middle model sucks)..they don't make it any more but it's soooo good..totally clean(not in a strat quack way but just clean), you can play open chord on it like acoustic guitar..so clean!,but has enough output and when on overdrive it can be singing heavy in Malsteem kinda way ;P
Crazy pu..shame they stopped making it this year!

Demogorgos · #9 03-01-2007, 08:43 AM

I always loved the stacked Dimarzio's that Yngwie used in the 80's. Use to have that in the neck and bridge when I was a Strat player. I can't remember the exact type, oh well. You can find it on the Dimarzio site I guess.

Regards,

JP

PD It's a HS3 like Lured mentioned!

Sands · #10 03-01-2007, 09:52 AM

I just installed a Tone Zone S (Strat) and I'm blown away by how huge it sounds. It really does have the sound and feel of a full sized humbucker. Hot Rails are thin by comparison.

-Eric

LuredMaul · #11 03-01-2007, 10:17 AM

an HS3/YJM is too low output for most ppl,but, kickass distorted/clean notso great.

I also have the TZ single and it does sound sweet.. I wonder how the AN single is

timi_h · #12 03-01-2007, 12:55 PM

i was eyeing up a pro track for neck position, anybody here got any experience with it?

timi_h · #13 03-02-2007, 10:50 PM

bump!!

xeroparadox · #14 03-09-2007, 02:40 PM

dude, the super distortion s from dimarzio rocks hardcore. i actually have one in the middle position of an rg, its killer. i like it higher on the body actually, it gives something chunky to match all the vibrations further from the bridge. but as a bridge in a strat, its pretty good. i really prefer full size humbuckers but if its whats in your guitar, thats a great option.
as far as the pro track, i had one (before the sd) in the middle and it was awesome, never heard one in the neck before though so i couldnt say

Darin · #15 03-09-2007, 09:43 PM

If you have not tried the Little 59. It's worth a look.

Quote:

This lead pickup is a hybrid. Designed for the Telecaster player who wants to rock, this little beast delivers a warm, smooth tone, reminiscent of an old ?59 Patent Applied For humbucker mixed together with a healthy dose of beefed up twang. Comes in black only with four-conductor cable.

Complete setup: Available in lead (bridge) position only. Matches up well with a Vintage Rhythm Stack for a totally quiet rig; or with a Hot Rhythm for an all-around hot axe.

Guitars: For all well-balanced instruments. Works equally well with maple and rosewood fingerboards.

Players: Jake Kelly / Gary Allan, Greg Bergdorf / Zebrahead, Lyle Workman, Victor Johnson / Sammy Hagar & Soul Finger, Gilby Clarke / Guns ?N Roses & Heart, Kenny Olson / Kid Rock