Best of both worlds? (pickup/mod question)

Elias78

Okay, gotta admit that I know nuts about pickups/wirings and hopefully don't end up sounding silly in this post but here it goes:

I love the bridge pickup sound from the AV pickups installed in my CIJ jag and I usually use it for rhythm/appeggio stuff. However, I'd also like to have a pickup that has high output that works for a solid, chugging, power-chord kinda distortion (and even for smooth, long-sustain solos). Having said that, I'd probably need a third-party pickup like the single coil humbucker or a standard size humbucker but here's the deal...

I've ordered another CIJ jag to do these mods on (I'll keep my current Jag 'stock' for now) I'll probably put an AV reissue bridge pickup and have a bridge humbucker installed as close to it as well, which will require routing...

1) Do I actually widen the existing bridge rout to accomodate the single-coil humbucker or a separate rout? Same question goes if I use a standard humbucker. Or would putting the humbucker in the bridge be a better option?

2) Any potential issues if I place the humbucker really close to my original AV jag bridge pickup?

3) Any alternatives to achieving a bridge humbucker sound without routing? Perhaps placing a bridge humbucker in the neck?

As for wiring, I'm thinking of a 3-way toggle switch on the top panel in replacement of the rhythm/lead switch. Up position (bridge AV jag pickup), middle position (third party single-coil size bridge humbuckers/standard humbucker), down position (neck AV jag pickup). The middle position will be able to engage the bottom control plate which individual pickups can be switched on/off...

So, in view of this configuration mentioned above, any stuff/issues I need to be concerned with?

Please pardon the tonnes of question 😆 Any comments/suggestions would be much appreciated 😀

DW

Hi elias78, i can't see why you can't just widen the existing pickup route. How about putting in another AV bridge pickup next to the exisiting one and wiring them both in series so it performs as a humbucker? You could put a coil tap on there so you can still have your single coil tone. Placing a regular size humbucker next to your exsiting bridge pickup would result in it being more of a middle pickup wouldn't it? You not going to get the same cutting tone as you would if it was nearer the bridge. I'm no wiring nut either, but i'm sure this could be done. Just an idea. 😀

Dan 😁

Elias78

Hey Dan...why didn't I think of that?! 😛 Sounds like it could work (but then again, a newbie in pickups/wiring like me wouldn't know exactly!)

But wait...if I put 2 similar AV bridge pickups together, aren't they the same polarity or something? That wouldn't 'cancel' the hum or work like a humbucker, would it? I'm sure the enlightened ones here would easily clear this doubt 😀

Thanks Dan, and for the rest of the great Jaguar users, your opinions on my previous points (and this one) are highly welcomed! 😛

DW

Glad i could help! 😁 As for the polarity issue, i think it's just a case of swapping the wires round on one of the pickups. I think. Enlightened ones come forth, elias78 needs your help. 😁

Dan 😁

Fran

There's plenty of single coil size humbuckers on the market nowdays which would mean no routing. It's easy to screw something up with a router if you have no experience with one and it will also lose value on the guitar if you decide to sell it at a later date, and the idea of two pups together is hideous...

An example is the seymour duncan hot rail pick up, fits in a single coil size cavity, high output and very good for lead imo. For chugging rythyms i'd say it can do it but it lacks a bit of bottom end, but i suppose you could compensate for that with an EQ pedal.

If i were you i'd browse the seymour duncan website as there seems to be something for every taste in every size, the JB Jr or 'screamin demon' might be what your after.

http://www.seymourduncanuk.com/stratocasters.htm

BobArsecake

What about trying the SD Quarter Pounder pickups?

Elias78

Thanks for the suggestions, Fran and BobArsecake 😀 Actually that's only part of the solution as I want to also retain an authentic jag sound by having a AV jag bridge pickup. What I wanna achieve is to have the best of both worlds, the original jag sound and a high output bridge humbucker sound (probably one from SD) , hence the questions of installing/routing for a bridge humbucker (either standard ones or single-coil sized ones) in addition to my AV jag bridge pickup.

Oh, and thanks to Dan for the cavalry calls 😉 Any resident jag experts care to help me out on the questions I've raised? 😆

Fran

If you installed an SD Hot rail and also add the option of split coil by means of maybe a push/pull tone pot you would have an high output humbucker and a single coil pup (to retain the Jag tone to some degree) all in one with no routing, no pickguard alteration, fairly simple diy electronics and also keep your options open to restore the Jag back to stock form.

Wiring instruction should come with the pup or off SD's website.

As for the toggle switch idea, i'm not too hot on electronics and you'd be better off hoping someone like 'spitfire' answers your questions.

Btw...i'm looking at your situation from a economical and logical way. If you have money to burn and buying Jags is'nt a problem then go forth with your ideas. 😀