Humbucker with Best Strat Tone

[Trussrod]

Which humbucker produces the best Strat tone? I'm not referring to stacked HB's designed to sound like a Strat, but the ones with side-by-side coils. I just picked up an Air Norton and have a FRED on the way. Maybe I'll pick up a Mo' Joe, too.

Opinions?

TIA

[Cliff]

I've got Dimarzio Humbuckers From Hell in my SL2H, which I believe are supposed to be strat-like. Don't have anything to compare with, though, but they're certainly very bright.

[Hellbat]

If you are willing to live with true single coil characteristics, the Duncan p-rails will give fairly stratty tones when split to the rail. Plus it has a p-90 as well. They are a heck of a great pickup if you want a massive variety of tones from the same guitar. It makes a nice humbucker too. I actually only have experience with the 'hot' version so ymmv with the regular.

[horns666]

I have a Dimarzio PAF pro w TBX treble boost for the bridge and standard fender pups for middle (Never used) and neck in my '95 Floyd Rose Classic Strat. Very bright, and "straty". I had a 70's pre CBS 3 bolt with stock pups and an 80's strat with Lace Sensors (quieter). The most un-strat sounding of the bunch was a Japan Fender HRR w/OFR and a Dimarzio XN2..great for metal. Not stratish at all. I regret getting rid of it..much heavier sounding than my USA.

I gotta say, I don't recall huge differences between the 70's or 80's strat. I think my USA FRC is bar far the brightest and twangy, with the most bite. That one sounds great with the darker sounding Bogner. It's a little noisy moving around under lights and such...especially with the Marshall. So that's assigned to the Bogner.

OHH I forgot I had a HS2 in the bridge of a Red '82 strat..mark that one with the 70's & 80's ones above..but it had a bit more ooomp. Also, in my SD III I have a fast track and chopper. Not very stratty tho..both seem kinda warm in walnut w/ maple top.

I got the strat thing covered well with my awesome FRC. That one is a keeper for life. Now All I need is a Les Paul..waht does GAS stand for again. Whatever it is..that's what I have for a LP. I'm gonna buy one. I like Rudy's Black Sykes look-alike!! That thing has been in my head since he posted a pic of it. I want that! Oh, Chris just posted a shitload of droolers too..damn!! BF'N Bang posted nice clips of his faded cherry studio. He went on a Gibby binge too. But I always lusted cherry/tobacco sunburst or the timeless black or white tux. I was never into the goldtop thing..they're awesome in their own way. But gold doesn't touch me in that naughty place...like Goldmember. BUT, to get back on topic I played several Goldtops with P90s and those are the closest stratish tones I found with a LP. Call me Count Fagula, but I always wanted a natural Korina Moderne..I love those odd Edsels since a kid. I met Al Romano of Sun Red Sun years ago and I played his..while it was still warm and gooey. I became one with that fugly bastard!! I think he was impressed because he liked me more after that. I sat with it, and it felt fuggin' perfect!

I was disappointed with the first series PRS CE 22 with 5 way switch. I have tapes playing it and it was noisy in 4th and 2nd posistions. They are great guitars..not for me. I bought it new around '91.

I really think maple boards make all the difference in the world for a classic "strat" tone...or what I percieve it sounds like. It's very alive and bright, and the only with maple.

OK bye..gotta poop. (really)

Billz

[Trussrod]

@Cliff: I'll have to look into HB's from Hell.

@Hellbat: I have an SHPR-1. The single coil pup didn't seem that "Stratty" to me. I was planning on trying it in the neck position on different guitars at some point.

@Horns666: +1 Maple boards are the best IMO for blues and rock/metal. Wish Jackson had more offerings with MB's.

[tonemonster]

I have a buddy with a strat with a Duncan hot rails in the bridge and it sounds damn good. you can get metal tones, great rock tone.

[markD]

i have had good results using a di'marzio humbucker-from-hell or a PAF pro.

[DonP]

Why not use a humbucker for a humbucker tone and a single for a single coil tone?

[jgcable]

I believe the Pearly Gates is the one Fender recommends.

[Trussrod]

Why not use a humbucker for a humbucker tone and a single for a single coil tone?

I've done this. The single isn't noise cancelling and I like to go from a heavily distorted bridge tone to a decent Strat tone without changing anything on my amp.

Lots of great suggestions. I might have to pick up a Pearly Gates and PAF Pro.

I've bought about 15 quality pups in the last year. Singles don't seem to be that complicated. I bought a pair of Area 58's from a JCF member last year and they sound incredible. Bet a lot of vintage stacked singles would work in the neck as well. I know what I like in the bridge position, too--so now it's time to do the same for guitars with neck HB's.

[LouSiffer]

I use the duncan Custom with a split. I get little to no noise with it. My guitar is shielded like crazy-Lou

[Chavelfan]

Fralin Unbucker. One coil has more winding and gives more of a true single coil sound when tapped. Not tapped it sounds more Strat like to me than other humbuckers. I've read that Fralin hum buckers are more Strat toned and I would say this is true for the Unbucker.

[Trussrod]

Fralin Unbucker. One coil has more winding and gives more of a true single coil sound when tapped. Not tapped it sounds more Strat like to me than other humbuckers. I've read that Fralin hum buckers are more Strat toned and I would say this is true for the Unbucker.

Never heard of this. Thanks!

[slowhand66]

I have a GMW strat with a JB in the bridge that can be split. works nicely.

[chrisolson]

I believe the Pearly Gates is the one Fender recommends.

^^This.