What is with all of the Single-hums? :(

[RD]

I just don't get the custom shop's obsession with single hum guitars. Sure, it is kind of a Charvel "trademark". But let's look at their own poll results...

Configuration - Percentage

Double Hum - 39.8%
Single Hum - 23%
Hum/Single/Single - 20%
Hum/Single - 12.9%

So 40% of us want HH and 33% want either HSS or HS - 73% in total. So nearly three-quarters of the voters wanted something other than single hum!

More importantly, I repeatedly hear people (myself included) say that they're pretty much not interested in buying single hum guitars at all. I need the flexibility of a neck pickup.

I'll bet that if you ask the opposite, though - whether people who prefer the single hum layout will refuse to buy a multi-PU guitar? - you don't get anything like that same reaction. Additional tonal flexibility usually isn't a "negative" for guitarists, right?

We want Floyds and either HH or HSS/HS layouts. That is the big-ole-hunka-sweet-spot of the Charvel market! We've pretty much been saying so ever since the 25ths were released.

I can't solo past the 12th fret without a neck pup...

[sonicsamurai]

I can't solo past the 12th fret without a neck pup...

..........

[emperor_black]

I can't solo past the 12th fret without a neck pup...

I hear you. Right now, I am learning a sweep-picking part and if I use the neck pup, the notes sound much cleaner and quieter, but with the bridge hum, it sound messy and I have to do it a couple of times to get it right. But in 'Bed of Razors' Alexi does it cleanly with a single-hum guitar and I am determined to get the bridge pup sound as clean as the neck pup.

[DHardmanJr]

Single hums are nice for artwork, but one-dimensional

I agree with what has been said about single hum guitars allowing more real estate for fancy paint jobs. But, to my ears you just can't get a good bluesy or clean (heaven forbid!) tone with a bridge humbucker. If I had my choice it would be a Hum Single or HH with coil taps. Humbuckers sound great with gain, but Singles in the neck, especially in combination with middle or bridge pickups provide a nice sparkle sound that I find very useful. I don't think I would ever purchase a single hum guitar as it is just too one dimensional. Of course, if I wanted a "showpiece" guitar and had some extra dough, then that would change things. But, it wouldn't be very useful for gigs.

One thing I find cool/interesting is the pickup combination on the Neal Schon Signature Model Les Paul. It has a bridge humbucker with two pickups placed in the neck humbucker spot: a Dimarzio Fast Track and a Sustainer driver. Allows you to get a sustainer in there at the same time as a neck pickup.

Dave

[Partial @ Marshall]

I like 'em. I just got a Pablo Santana 1-H strat and was suprised that I could sweep pick and solo on it easily. You can always roll back the volume for different tones or engage and pull back the wah for a somewhat neck pick up tone. Where I can see the point of it being "one dimensional" it does force you to be creative using other facets of your gear.

[stevenpollak]

Of all the styles I play, I play metal the least. I haven't played anything but a Jackson or Charvel for 20 years. I need a neck pickup whether it's an S or an H depends on the guitar. I'm about to put Dimarzio super distortions with push pull pots in a Jackson SLSMG.

[quiksilver]

The 1H, 1 vol config is my favorite, by far.

Functionally, I have no need for neck or middle pickups. I especially dislike middle pickups, as they generally get in my way, and neck humbuckers generally sound muddy to me. Neck single coils are OK, but not necessary for tonal variety. I can back off the volume, pick closer to the neck, finger pick, etc., along with the enormous tonal palette provided by my amps and effects, of course. The 1H config is clean and uncluttered, and gives me everything I need and nothing I don't.

Aesthetically, I think the 1H configs also look the best. They give the guitar a no-nonsense, rock vibe that I appreciate. H/S is my second favorite.

Oh, and xbolt, your collection of 1H guitars is outstanding. I especially love your Zebrawood ESP. I have a Charvel MZ Natural (my favorite guitars of all time) in Koa coming soon that has a similar look.

[Newc]

Regarding EVH's one-hums, as I recall from an old interview, he had tried to rewire a 2-hum guitar himself and screwed it up, so he just ran the bridge pickup to the knob and then to the output.

As well, from another interview, the VH1 Charvel (B&W) was delivered to him with wet clearcoat because he was in a hurry to get it for the album photoshoot, and the guitar was pretty much slapped together. This would theoretically include just having a one-hum pickguard wired and ready to go.

Yet again, from another interview, Frankie was originally going to have a neck pickup, but again he botched the wiring job, so he just stuffed the switch into the center cavity and left it as-is.

And yes, W.D.'s early work was all 1-hum. He left all the cleans and texture up to Robbin.

Not having a neck pickup does not translate directly to quality of tone. The pickup is not a microphone, and it doesn't care if you have 2 or 3 pickups.

1-hums do not have more visual appeal to me. When I see them in catalogs or dealer listings or at NAMM, I am instantly let down because I see a guitar that I'd buy if it only had one more pickup.


And yes, you can get a VG88 and get tons of sounds with a single hum. You can also get a Variax and get even more sounds with the VG88 and have absolutely no pickups.

[emperor_black]

somehow, even with a GT-8, I could not get the bridge pup to deliver the warm mid-rangey fat sound of the neck pup. Its been a year since and I've decided H-H is the best combination! Singles in the neck sound too thin.

There are plenty of graphics that go very well with a H-H.

BTW, thanks Steven for resurrecting a thread that was over 9 months old.

[KBRR]

single hums own!!

[roodyrocker]

The reality for me is that I spend at least 90% of the time on the bridge pickup only and tone control full up. So for me a one hum guitar with only a volume knob is fine.

[bombtek]

Nothing and I mean NOTHING can ever EVER beat a 4 Humbucker guitar!!

http://www.harmony-central.com/News/2001/Spinal-Tap-Guitar.jpg

[fullmetalguitar]

I think the strat body looks very cool with 1 hum and a 22 fret neck. If you prefer 2 hums, I say go with the dinky body shape. All of my guitars are dinky shape, 2 hums, and 24 frets. I would feel pretty limited with only a one hum guitar. I do a lot of soloing on the neck pickup.

[Dogbone]

If I can only have one guitar, I would want a HS... I like the variety of the single in the neck, and the hum at the bridge... But since most of us own more than one guitar, we can have our cake and eat it to

[metalchurch79]

The reality for me is that I spend at least 90% of the time on the bridge pickup only and tone control full up. So for me a one hum guitar with only a volume knob is fine.

Same here.
I have 1 humbucker (usually an EMG 81 or 85) and 1 volume in all of my guitars.
Even if it was a 2 humbucker guitar, I remove the neck pickup and I cut a piece of black plastic to fit the inside of the mounting ring and I attach the mouting ring to cover the neck pup cavity.
It resembles an EMG from a few feet away and keeps it looking good without adding weight.

Although I've been thinking about building a guitar with an H/S just for something different.

I also bought a new DK2 and removed the tone pot and the single coils as soon as I got it home.
I ended up selling the body a few weeks ago because I just didnt like the look of it and all the empty cavities.
Sucks being a lefty!