Single coil to humbucker opinions...

[theegspot]

I have a baja, and I love it. However, it's my first bridge position single coil guitar. I love that "single coil" sound in the bridge position, but I run into quite a bit of feedback. My music requires a decent bit of gain. My question is, how much of that "typical tele tone/sound" will I lose by upgrading to a humbucker such as Seymour Duncan Vintage Stack (lead & rhythm) STK-T3b & STK-T1n's? Or even a Little 59?

I hear some of them keep the twang and have less noise, but when I listen to the sound bites on SD's site, i hear much of the typical single coil hollow like (almost strat-ish) tone that I would be sad if I lost. If that's the case, I'll just continue to use one of my other guitars live.

Any less noisy single coil tele pickups I may consider? Is the baja bridge just really noisy anyway? Seems the twisted tele neck p/u is almost TOO bright and twangy also. Wouldn't mind warming that up, and rounding it off with a bit more lows as well. I'm going to play with the setup first of all before doing anything. Hopefully I can find a good common ground.

Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.

[JD0x0]

if youre getting feedback going to a humbucker will make it worse

More output=more feedback
more mids= more feedback

[theegspot]

Maybe I'm describing the type of feedback wrong. All my other guitars are hotter, but humbucking. They are silent.

[gonzo]

try a humbucking stacked single coil.

ala bill lawrence, L280.

pickups feedback for different reasons, broken winding, no potting, etc....

humbuckers will typically be louder than single coils.
but that's why you have a volume knob on your amp!

[patrickhowell]

Originally Posted by theegspot

Maybe I'm describing the type of feedback wrong. All my other guitars are hotter, but humbucking. They are silent.

Are your other pickups wax potted? Is this pickup potted?

[theegspot]

Originally Posted by patrickhowell

Are your other pickups wax potted? Is this pickup potted?

I have a stock Baja. :)

I know a noise gate would take care of the issue. Am I really just being stubborn to using one though? All my humbucking guit's have no problem. I like just plugging in and playing, without running through many other things...even a noise gate. So far I'm thinking about the stacked pickups. Research tells me they may cure my tone/noise issues.

Thanks all for the input.

[patrickhowell]

Are you talking about feedback or hum? Humbucking pickups are MUCH more likely to feed back than single coils.

Besides potting, loosely mounted parts can also be a cause of microphonics in teles: http://www.300guitars.com/articles/e...ur-telecaster/

[nosuch]

feedback like a high pitched squeal or feedback like mr. santana?

[theegspot]

Originally Posted by patrickhowell

Are you talking about feedback or hum? Humbucking pickups are MUCH more likely to feed back than single coils.

Besides potting, loosely mounted parts can also be a cause of microphonics in teles: http://www.300guitars.com/articles/e...ur-telecaster/

It's definitely feedback. The hum is quite mild actually (and I kind of welcome it). The feedback is very high pitched. The link above is a good place for me to start.

Thanks all!

[giantslayer]

Originally Posted by theegspot

I know a noise gate would take care of the issue. Am I really just being stubborn to using one though? All my humbucking guit's have no problem. I like just plugging in and playing, without running through many other things...even a noise gate. So far I'm thinking about the stacked pickups. Research tells me they may cure my tone/noise issues.

Thanks all for the input.

A noise gate only fixes things when you are not playing.

[dalandan]

Originally Posted by JD0x0

if youre getting feedback going to a humbucker will make it worse

More output=more feedback
more mids= more feedback

i don't think a humbucker would have more feedback (I assume you're talking about white noise or noise from fluorescent lamps, laptops, mobile phones, etc.) A humbucker would be pretty much silent compared to single coils.

Here are a couple of options from the top of my head, just look 'em up on google:
1. Suhr Silent Single Coils or the equivalent (Scott Henderson has SILENT sc's despite the gain he uses)
2. Shielding the pickups cavity with foam. I stole this from Joe Bonamassa. It gets rid of a lot of microphonics from the pickups. no hum at all.


my last point would be to not consider doing anything since in a band, the hum might not be noticed.

[JD0x0]

Originally Posted by dalandan

i don't think a humbucker would have more feedback (I assume you're talking about white noise or noise from fluorescent lamps, laptops, mobile phones, etc.) A humbucker would be pretty much silent compared to single coils.

Here are a couple of options from the top of my head, just look 'em up on google:
1. Suhr Silent Single Coils or the equivalent (Scott Henderson has SILENT sc's despite the gain he uses)
2. Shielding the pickups cavity with foam. I stole this from Joe Bonamassa. It gets rid of a lot of microphonics from the pickups. no hum at all.


my last point would be to not consider doing anything since in a band, the hum might not be noticed.

no im talking about feedback, not hum. Feedback, like santana singing feedback. and yes they will feedback more.

humbuckers only get rid of 60 cycle hum. sheilding will help with flourent and neon lights. Potting, rubber tubing, and foam under the pickup will not change noise they will reduce microphonic squeal.

[charlie cash]

Does standing behind your amp reduce the feedback?