bridge 'bucker recommendation for single pickup strat?

[appar111]

Ok guys, I’ve decided to go with just a single bridge humbucker on my strat. My OCD with finding the perfect blend of pickups really keeps me from just playing my guitar, and honestly, I use the bridge pickup 90% of the time anyway, so I thought I’d be real honest and make it easy on myself with just a bridge ‘bucker.

Has to sound good dirty AND clean since it’s the only pickup on the guitar. For clean sounds, I mean Police-y clean sounds with chorus on them (so something that also responds well to tone pot changes to keep it from getting too bright), and funk stuff like Prince & James Brown.

Right now I’m using an old MJ 59N with an A2 in it. Aside from being a little underpowered, I like the tone a lot.

So should I just go with a 59B with a magnet swap (A2 or UOA5) or maybe an A2P bridge? I’m thinking the Screamin’ Demon would also work.

Anything else from Duncan in the 9-10K range without going Custom Shop with something like a Brobucker or 78? Dimarzio would be good too, just thought I’d investigate Duncan options first.

Body wood is swamp ash, neck is maple w/ maple fretboard, and a vintage trem w/ full size block.

[Gunny47]

I'd say '78 every day of the week and twice on Sundays. That pickup is the epitome of great cleans and dirty (and in between as well). The cleans can sound really spanky, but can mellow out with the tone knob low. I like to get a singing tone with the '78B and my Analogman-Modded TS-9. Sorta half between dirty and clean (think John Scofield) for a horn-like response. Cuts through very well, has that old-school PAF vibe with some extra pissed-off flair. But I digress...

I like the 59 w/ mag swap idea. I always really dug the 59 as is, but with that guitar and what you already like, get the A2 mag. I definitely prefer it to the A2P. Or, you could go 59/Custom hybrid although I've never tried it.

[dominus]

Custom/59 for sure.

[chadd]

I love Demons but I would go with something else if clean is a major requirement.

[appar111]

Chadd-
Do you feel that the cleans are too harsh?

dominus and Gunny - I totally forgot about the 59/Custom hybrid, that one is also in the running, and alot cheaper than a 78.

The 78's leading the pack, with a 59B or 59/Custom in 2nd place since they would also work well but are much easier on the wallet.

Anyone got a 78 they're not using?

[darthphineas]

Custom Custom

[RayBarbeeMusic]

AT-1. Sounds very Tele when in parallel mode. Add a tone control with a .0022uf cap (yes, 1/10th size of 'regular') for very useful tones.

[appar111]

Custom Custom

Tried that one before and it was a little flat/muffled sounding when played clean. I wonder if A4 in the custom wind would work though?

[Ashurbanipal]

Custom/59 for sure.

+1

I have one in my alder Ibanez and it's the donkey's bollocks. When I was testing it, I rigged it up on its own without other pups and played it that way for a day or two, and my conclusion was that if I were to get a single hum guitar, a 59/C would be the way to go.

It's around 11k but it's no problem getting good clean.

[darthphineas]

Tried that one before and it was a little flat/muffled sounding when played clean. I wonder if A4 in the custom wind would work though?

really? that's funky. when you say 'clean' are you talking about a clean amp setting or rolling off the volume or putting the pup into split/parallel?

but for the woods you're talking about, I'd throw in a JB, a RTM or a CC... all with switching to go either split or parallel for cleans. but I'm wanting to melt off people's faces.

for some of the sounds you're going for, I'm really tempted to just flat out suggest the '59 and be done with it. I don't have any time with the 78, but the 59/C hybrid might be good although it might be a touch too modern for what you're describing.

[SoundAt11]

I'm using a JB in the bridge of a mahogany body, maple/maple necked Strat with a vintage trem and while it has a great tone under mid to high-gain solos and rhythm, it does not have the clean tone that you'd like. It's very honky in the midrange. I used to use a CC in this guitar and the cleans were even less usable. I'd suggest something like the Stag Mag or a '59 (that '59/Custom hybrid could be perfect, but I've never tried it). The Custom has a decent clean tone and is pretty balanced, but being a Ceramic, it is a little harsh.

[dominus]

(that '59/Custom hybrid could be perfect, but I've never tried it). The Custom has a decent clean tone and is pretty balanced, but being a Ceramic, it is a little harsh.

Custom/59 has an A5.

[GilmourD]

Custom/59 for sure.

That's what I was thinking.

You know, I forget... The factory version, the Custom coil is the slug coil, right? I'd roll my own and have the '59 coil be the slug coil and the Custom coil be the screw coil. Then wire it to a coil cut switch so that the screw coil is activated and I think you'll be a little closer to the Police-type cleans you're looking for.

[appar111]

really? that's funky. when you say 'clean' are you talking about a clean amp setting or rolling off the volume or putting the pup into split/parallel?

but for the woods you're talking about, I'd throw in a JB, a RTM or a CC... all with switching to go either split or parallel for cleans. but I'm wanting to melt off people's faces.

for some of the sounds you're going for, I'm really tempted to just flat out suggest the '59 and be done with it. I don't have any time with the 78, but the 59/C hybrid might be good although it might be a touch too modern for what you're describing.

Clean amp setting or rolling the volume back on the guitar on the dirty channel. No split/parallel-- never heard a bridge pickup I really liked that way.

I tried the JB and it was a bit too much output and mid push for a good all-arounder.

The 59B might be the easiest way to cut this one....