Fender Strat MIM with a Humbucker?

gc24

Joined: Jul 22, 2009
Posts: 202
2 Download Pins

Posted on Oct 18 2011 10:07 PM

Do I really want a Humbucker in the bridge for Surf Music or Shadows Music? I bought this used, and I notice a drop in volumn when I switch to #5 for the Humbucker, or should I split it and make it a single coil and a bucker?

Last edited: Oct 18, 2011 22:10:06

Top

seafoam_johnny

Joined: Jul 27, 2007
Posts: 1099
4 faces. (Where the buffalo roam)
1 Contributor Pin

Posted on Oct 18 2011 10:18 PM

If unsure, you could always take out the humbucker and drop in a humbucker sized P-90 made by Vintage Vibe.

Top

gc24

Joined: Jul 22, 2009
Posts: 202
2 Download Pins

Posted on Oct 18 2011 10:25 PM

True, but I was trying to work with what I have already. It's a Demarzio HB.

Top

BenPerkins

Joined: Oct 19, 2011
Posts: 147
United States

Posted on Oct 19 2011 02:31 AM

Split it. I've got a LP copy with 2 split HB's (SH-2 in the neck, SH-4 in the bridge) and can get a decent tone.

—

I want to hear Caravan with a drum solo.

Top

AnalogSurf

Joined: Aug 12, 2011
Posts: 133

Posted on Oct 19 2011 06:56 AM

gc24 wrote:

True, but I was trying to work with what I have
already. It's a Demarzio HB.

The Dimarzio HB should be wired for a coil tap...Dont know the color
code off the top of my head but you can break the 2 coils in half and
only use one side...I have this on a Yamaha Pacifica and by adding
a switch you can be single coil or Humbucker.

Pete Analog-Surf

Last edited: Oct 19, 2011 06:56:54

Top

aqualadius

Joined: Aug 30, 2010
Posts: 415
Charlotte, NC
United States

Posted on Oct 19 2011 08:51 AM

Yeah I was gonna create a thread and ask if anyone uses split humbuckers for a Surf guitar ever. I have a DeArmond Jetstar copy that came with 4 wire pickups. So I split them and put a tremelo bar on it and it makes a fine surf guitar

Jeremy

—

Jeremy

Last edited: Oct 19, 2011 14:56:10

Top

RK

Joined: Sep 25, 2009
Posts: 127
Montreal, Kwee-bec
Canada

Posted on Oct 19 2011 10:08 AM

I went to the trouble of adding a coil split to my AMG 100, the Dan Armstrong reissue with the modular pickups for which there are no other pickups available except for handmade from Kent Armstrong. I had to add a banana plug to the guitar to mate with the otherwise unused jack on the pickup. Interestingly, the pictures of single-coil pickups I've seen don't have this jack, so they would no longer fit on my guitar.

image

Anyway, split is better. It may not be as good as a dedicated single coil but it is better.

—

RK

Top

gc24

Joined: Jul 22, 2009
Posts: 202
2 Download Pins

Posted on Oct 19 2011 10:25 AM

Thanks. My other option is to get another Strat pickguard and put a set of MIM Strat pickups that I already have lying around in there instead of the HB. If I do split the HB, should I go for a pushpull pot to switch back and forth?

Top

AnalogSurf

Joined: Aug 12, 2011
Posts: 133

Posted on Oct 19 2011 10:38 AM

gc24 wrote:

Thanks. My other option is to get another Strat
pickguard and put a set of MIM Strat pickups that I
already have lying around in there instead of the HB.
If I do split the HB, should I go for a pushpull pot to
switch back and forth?

I just added A Micro Paddle Switch to the Pick Guard..
It has a small chrome Paddle instead of looking like a single
shaft...It looks fine and is easy to use...When it come to adding things
some want to look good others want functionality...Why go with Stock ?

I saw Dick Dale the other night in Boston and he had A small Micro Switch
on has pick guard used for somthing ? His Strat seemed to be a mix
of things that only the King understands.

Pete Analog-Surf

Last edited: Oct 19, 2011 12:02:53

Top

aqualadius

Joined: Aug 30, 2010
Posts: 415
Charlotte, NC
United States

Posted on Oct 19 2011 02:55 PM

Thanks. My other option is to get another Strat pickguard and put a set of MIM Strat pickups that I already have lying around in there instead of the HB. If I do split the HB, should I go for a pushpull pot to switch back and forth?

Yeah I don't know if I would say that push-pull is the best. It doesn't change the look which is maybe the only positive aspect? Then again a switch is so much easier to toggle the trying to grab something with no grabbable lip. So going between humbucking and split with a push-pull can be not so fun when it's timing sensitive.

—

Jeremy

Top

BenPerkins

Joined: Oct 19, 2011
Posts: 147
United States

Posted on Oct 21 2011 07:57 PM

gc24 wrote:

If I do split the HB, should I go for a pushpull pot to
switch back and forth?

Yes. Personally, I think it increases functionality.

—

I want to hear Caravan with a drum solo.

Top

xdmkii

Joined: Dec 13, 2008
Posts: 3
Georgia

Posted on Oct 21 2011 08:04 PM

A split humbucker will never get the same tone as a real single coil, although it will be closer to it than a humbucker. The output will be lower and not sound as clear. I would swap that S-S-S pickguard you have if you want to get that vintage sound.

I bet that micro switch on DD's strat is to give him a neck+bridge combo

Top

Brian

Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19357
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
United States

Posted on Oct 21 2011 10:12 PM

xdmkii wrote:

I bet that micro switch on DD's strat is to give him a
neck+bridge combo

I have heard the switch was for a tuner (which may or may not be installed).

—

Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me

"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea

Last edited: Oct 21, 2011 22:17:18

Top

Richard

Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 1683
Georgia
United States

Posted on Oct 24 2011 08:08 AM

I second xdmkii. If you've already got a a set of singles, swap 'em.

xdmkii, are you from the country of Georgia or the state of Georgia in the US?

—

The Mystery Men?
El Capitan and The Reluctant Sadists
SSS Agent #31

Top

gc24 Joined: Jul 22, 2009 Posts: 202	Posted on Oct 18 2011 10:07 PM Do I really want a Humbucker in the bridge for Surf Music or Shadows Music? I bought this used, and I notice a drop in volumn when I switch to #5 for the Humbucker, or should I split it and make it a single coil and a bucker? Last edited: Oct 18, 2011 22:10:06 Top
seafoam_johnny Joined: Jul 27, 2007 Posts: 1099 4 faces. (Where the buffalo roam)	Posted on Oct 18 2011 10:18 PM If unsure, you could always take out the humbucker and drop in a humbucker sized P-90 made by Vintage Vibe. Top
gc24 Joined: Jul 22, 2009 Posts: 202	Posted on Oct 18 2011 10:25 PM True, but I was trying to work with what I have already. It's a Demarzio HB. Top
BenPerkins Joined: Oct 19, 2011 Posts: 147	Posted on Oct 19 2011 02:31 AM Split it. I've got a LP copy with 2 split HB's (SH-2 in the neck, SH-4 in the bridge) and can get a decent tone. — I want to hear Caravan with a drum solo. Top
AnalogSurf Joined: Aug 12, 2011 Posts: 133	Posted on Oct 19 2011 06:56 AM gc24 wrote: True, but I was trying to work with what I have already. It's a Demarzio HB. The Dimarzio HB should be wired for a coil tap...Dont know the color code off the top of my head but you can break the 2 coils in half and only use one side...I have this on a Yamaha Pacifica and by adding a switch you can be single coil or Humbucker. Pete Analog-Surf Last edited: Oct 19, 2011 06:56:54 Top
aqualadius Joined: Aug 30, 2010 Posts: 415 Charlotte, NC	Posted on Oct 19 2011 08:51 AM Yeah I was gonna create a thread and ask if anyone uses split humbuckers for a Surf guitar ever. I have a DeArmond Jetstar copy that came with 4 wire pickups. So I split them and put a tremelo bar on it and it makes a fine surf guitar Jeremy — Jeremy Last edited: Oct 19, 2011 14:56:10 Top
RK Joined: Sep 25, 2009 Posts: 127 Montreal, Kwee-bec	Posted on Oct 19 2011 10:08 AM I went to the trouble of adding a coil split to my AMG 100, the Dan Armstrong reissue with the modular pickups for which there are no other pickups available except for handmade from Kent Armstrong. I had to add a banana plug to the guitar to mate with the otherwise unused jack on the pickup. Interestingly, the pictures of single-coil pickups I've seen don't have this jack, so they would no longer fit on my guitar. image Anyway, split is better. It may not be as good as a dedicated single coil but it is better. — RK Top
gc24 Joined: Jul 22, 2009 Posts: 202	Posted on Oct 19 2011 10:25 AM Thanks. My other option is to get another Strat pickguard and put a set of MIM Strat pickups that I already have lying around in there instead of the HB. If I do split the HB, should I go for a pushpull pot to switch back and forth? Top
AnalogSurf Joined: Aug 12, 2011 Posts: 133	Posted on Oct 19 2011 10:38 AM gc24 wrote: Thanks. My other option is to get another Strat pickguard and put a set of MIM Strat pickups that I already have lying around in there instead of the HB. If I do split the HB, should I go for a pushpull pot to switch back and forth? I just added A Micro Paddle Switch to the Pick Guard.. It has a small chrome Paddle instead of looking like a single shaft...It looks fine and is easy to use...When it come to adding things some want to look good others want functionality...Why go with Stock ? I saw Dick Dale the other night in Boston and he had A small Micro Switch on has pick guard used for somthing ? His Strat seemed to be a mix of things that only the King understands. Pete Analog-Surf Last edited: Oct 19, 2011 12:02:53 Top
aqualadius Joined: Aug 30, 2010 Posts: 415 Charlotte, NC	Posted on Oct 19 2011 02:55 PM Thanks. My other option is to get another Strat pickguard and put a set of MIM Strat pickups that I already have lying around in there instead of the HB. If I do split the HB, should I go for a pushpull pot to switch back and forth? Yeah I don't know if I would say that push-pull is the best. It doesn't change the look which is maybe the only positive aspect? Then again a switch is so much easier to toggle the trying to grab something with no grabbable lip. So going between humbucking and split with a push-pull can be not so fun when it's timing sensitive. — Jeremy Top
BenPerkins Joined: Oct 19, 2011 Posts: 147	Posted on Oct 21 2011 07:57 PM gc24 wrote: If I do split the HB, should I go for a pushpull pot to switch back and forth? Yes. Personally, I think it increases functionality. — I want to hear Caravan with a drum solo. Top
xdmkii Joined: Dec 13, 2008 Posts: 3 Georgia	Posted on Oct 21 2011 08:04 PM A split humbucker will never get the same tone as a real single coil, although it will be closer to it than a humbucker. The output will be lower and not sound as clear. I would swap that S-S-S pickguard you have if you want to get that vintage sound. I bet that micro switch on DD's strat is to give him a neck+bridge combo Top
Brian Joined: Feb 25, 2006 Posts: 19357 Des Moines, Iowa, USA	Posted on Oct 21 2011 10:12 PM xdmkii wrote: I bet that micro switch on DD's strat is to give him a neck+bridge combo I have heard the switch was for a tuner (which may or may not be installed). — Site dude - S3 Agent #202 Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me "It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea Last edited: Oct 21, 2011 22:17:18 Top
Richard Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 1683 Georgia	Posted on Oct 24 2011 08:08 AM I second xdmkii. If you've already got a a set of singles, swap 'em. xdmkii, are you from the country of Georgia or the state of Georgia in the US? — The Mystery Men? El Capitan and The Reluctant Sadists SSS Agent #31 Top

SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Fender Strat MIM with a Humbucker?