Singlecoils vs Humbuckers/replacing humbuckers with singles

Disappearer

Firstly, which do you prefer and why?

Secondly, I know there are a load of Kurtz kidz wanting to put humbuckers in guitars designed for singlecoils, but how hard is it to do it the other way around... If I wanted to put singlecoils in my Jagmaster, for example?

Richie

Personally I use humbuckers more but think both have their merits and probably like them fairly equally.

As for swapping out a humbucker for a singlecoil, you can either get a 'bucker-sized P90 or similar, or you can get mounting rings that allow an angled strat pickup to be placed in a humbucker route. It isn't hard by any stretch.

Robbmonster

I've seen those mounting rings for putting singles in a pickguard cut for humbuckers, but I have never used one. I almost did when I was renovating my Jagmaster but I changed my mind.

I probably prefer singles. I prefer the clearer sound, and I feel they respond better to picking nuances, which is a huge part of my (so-called) tone. That said, it depends on my mood. If I'm feeling bluesey, I go straight for the singles, but if I'm feeling a bit more jazzy, I go for the flatter, warmer sound of the 'buckers.

If I'm using and overdrive pedal, it's a neck humbucker all the way.

foxyloxy

I like the idea of single coils more, but then when i play a song/riff it almost always sounds better with a humbucker. but this is more to do with the type of music I play.

Both are good so id say single in the neck humbucker in the bridge (just like teh KurTdZ would have wanted it)?

gilmourish

I used to just use my lp with 'buckers. But when i got my jazzy (and my strat soon 😛) i know single coils (and jazzy pickups) were for me.

feedbackismyfriend

in general sc's

Robbmonster

Given most of the people on this site are 'Fender Guy's' (yes, I'm generalizing), it's pretty safe to assume there will be a strong bias toward the singles...

Fran

Cant give a definitive answer.

Humbuckers - Metal, Rock and Punk.

P90s/Hot Single Coils - Punk, Rock and Indie

Single Coils - Rock, Indie, Ambient, etc.

Depending on rig. With modelling effects pickups are'nt that relevant anyway.

Earth

For distorted guitar I only use bridge HB's, for clean guitar I like neck single coils. I rarely play clean guitar at all though so I usually just put HB's in both places.

NathanStang75

The ability to switch between the two mid song is a major plus. But is it Bridge Humbucker to Neck Single Coil or vice versa?

Earth

yeah.