humbuckers that sound most like mini-humbuckers

Hmmm, tough one. Anything super enhanced mids I suppose.
H-11 Custom Custom ?

Adaptor rings and minis?

 

Trying to remember what winder was putting Firebird innards in a full HB enclosure.

I'm sure Rob could easily do it.

 

The DiMarzio Humbucker From Hell fits the bill.
There is also a Dimarzio Eric Johnson signature humbucker that also sounds similar, IMO.

 

The Duncan Pearly Gates bridge (only) is light on bass with strong mids...I always thought the bridge & neck PGs were mismatched because the neck p'up can be pretty bass-heavy. For that reason I've installed the same set in about 6 different guitars and never was satisfied. But if I ever built a Tele using the humbucker-size bridge plate in my junk box that PG would have a job.

 

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Are you really trying to get more of a humbucking protected single coil tone? Or a muddier humbucker? I've found the latter with the mini-humbuckers. I think the infamous Firebird minis were supposed to be brighter and more like single coils but it's been a few years since I saw that conversation.

Try this to see if you can get the tone you are seeking:
-Lower your pickup(s)
-Raise the screw poles.

Try different 'patterns' of raised screw poles. I like neck pickups with a Strat stagger and the bridge all level to each other for a Tele/P90 type of tone. Equidistant from the strings gives a different output. Flat across gives a mid-scoop type of tone.

Don't forget you can swap volume pot(s) and tone caps to push the tones around. Brighter darker more presence and sparkle.

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Not sure about mini-buckers, because my only experience with them is in the 2010 Epiphone Wilshire RI I have... and they seem bright and responsive to me.

As for a bright standard-sized humbucker, I asked a pretty knowledgable friend of mine and he recommended a Duncan JB. Make of that what you will. Personally, I've had great luck with Ibanez Super 58s sounding bright and single-coil like..

 

The Gibson Burstbuckers would fit that bill or some Gretsch/TV Jones Filtertrons with English mounts.

 

TBX control?

Adaptor rings and getting some originals sounds the ticket though.

 

Dimarzio PAF FRED

Anyway, you can use a real minihumbucker and add a frame to fit a normal humbucker

 

Sorry. Member Rob DiStefano/Cavalier Pickups. He knows his Firebirds.

 

DiMarzio EJ Customs.

Lollar El Rayos.

Low 7K neck models used in the bridge position (e.g. the Seth Lover neck or Jazz Model neck) can lean that way (though they don't entirely get there).

 

EMG 60
Those are minis in humbucker housing.
You can get them with both alnico and ceramic magnets.

 

The Duncan Custom Shop will also build you a mini in a humbucker housing.

 

Full size humbuckers wired in parallel can get close to mini sound. Less bass, brighter but still have that humbucker top end roll-off, and - they buck hum!

 

I seem to recall that Wilde pickups has more than one dual blade humbucker option with one of them being spaced closer together. I'm wondering if that is closer to a mini-humbucker (blade style like Firebirds).

 

You found minis to be muddy? Just the opposite of my experience with Gibson, Duncan Antiquity ll, Firebird and others compared with full size HB's.

 

Here is your answer. Use some vintage wound birds and rock away. Love those pickups.

 

Probably one of the later changed spec mini hums from Gibson and Epi.

I've only used early originals anf they are super bright and clear.

I have a Ducan JB and a Burstbucker which were suggested as being close, but those are far off IME unless compared agai to one of the later duller mini's.

I also have one of the Bill Lawrence era "tarback" Gibson HBs that nobody likes because they are so bright.
Measures 6k the same as my old mini hums and I'm guessing they are both 42awg wound.
The narrower string read area is a part of the sound so I'd not be super hopeful about a full size sounding quite like a mini.

Never heard the EMG 60 was a mini inside, anyone confirm this?
I prefer firebirds to minis but...