Dynamics... Single coil vs. HB

John E · July 30th, 2003, 03:16 PM

Somebody posted this on the Weber boards a while ago and it's been eating at me...

He said that he finds HB's to be way more dynamic (ie. louder or softer due to pick attack) and then asked what people thought...

At first I thought "this guys nuts"... but then I tried A/Bing my LP copy with my thinline with Fralins, and dam*it if that didn't seem to be the case... Now I need to find a pickup with the clarity and punch of a SC but the Dynamic response of an HB... Hmmm, maybe a Mini-HB???

Andy B · July 30th, 2003, 07:36 PM

Mini Humbuckers works great as a Tele neck pickups. I prefer Duncan Vintage Firebirds along with Barden bridge pickups. Wonderful dynamics.

ravenfan · July 30th, 2003, 09:56 PM

I have to start off and admit that I'm a die hard humbucker guy. I prefer the lower output 'buckers (and letting the amps do the overdriving).

My opinion is that 'buckers have infinitely more intense and useable sounds in a higher gain environment. They are quiet, less muddy, and seem to have more built-in "in your face" tone. Billy Gibbons is a perfect example of what I'm talking about.

Single coils have much more personality, though. While a 'bucker sometimes tends to show up as a little lifeless when the amp is cleaned up, a single coil equipped guitar comes into it's own. The dynamics involved sometimes seem limited only by the player involved. Then again, you really need a good amp to bring out the best in a SC guitar.

telemann51 · July 31st, 2003, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravenfan

Then again, you really need a good amp to bring out the best in a SC guitar.

I dunno about that. I think any decent tube amp works pretty well. I use pick or thumbpick and fingers and single-coil plus tubes just seems to do it for me.

July 30th, 2003, 03:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
John E Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,396	Dynamics... Single coil vs. HB Somebody posted this on the Weber boards a while ago and it's been eating at me... He said that he finds HB's to be way more dynamic (ie. louder or softer due to pick attack) and then asked what people thought... At first I thought "this guys nuts"... but then I tried A/Bing my LP copy with my thinline with Fralins, and dam*it if that didn't seem to be the case... Now I need to find a pickup with the clarity and punch of a SC but the Dynamic response of an HB... Hmmm, maybe a Mini-HB???

July 30th, 2003, 07:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Andy B Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Englewood, Colorado Posts: 287	Mini Humbuckers works great as a Tele neck pickups. I prefer Duncan Vintage Firebirds along with Barden bridge pickups. Wonderful dynamics. __________________ Andy

July 30th, 2003, 09:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
ravenfan TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 74	I have to start off and admit that I'm a die hard humbucker guy. I prefer the lower output 'buckers (and letting the amps do the overdriving). My opinion is that 'buckers have infinitely more intense and useable sounds in a higher gain environment. They are quiet, less muddy, and seem to have more built-in "in your face" tone. Billy Gibbons is a perfect example of what I'm talking about. Single coils have much more personality, though. While a 'bucker sometimes tends to show up as a little lifeless when the amp is cleaned up, a single coil equipped guitar comes into it's own. The dynamics involved sometimes seem limited only by the player involved. Then again, you really need a good amp to bring out the best in a SC guitar.