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Hey guys. (guitar in my sig) I use my '59 in the neck split exclusively. I would really like a strat over anything, but just can't part with this guitar and can't afford a strat right now. I really love the tone of a real single coil in the neck (my favorite tone). I play blues and like tons of other pursue an quot;srvquot; kind of tone.

What I'm wondering is will a phat cat move me closer to what I'm looking for? I'm hoping for it to sound clear and open like a traditional single coil but with a little more output. You guys know what I'm wantin...

thanks

Well, a Phat Cat probably would get you a little closer to what you're looking for since it is a true single coil, as opposed to the 59 split. However, the only way you'll get a Strat tone is with a Strat (or Strat like substance) with a single coil in the neck.

The Phat Cat is thicker sounding than a traditional Strat SC, but it does sound good. Perhaps you could try wiring the 59 in parallel rather than split for a better tone? Just a thought based on absolutely no experience.


Originally Posted by TravisWell, a Phat Cat probably would get you a little closer to what you're looking for since it is a true single coil, as opposed to the 59 split. However, the only way you'll get a Strat tone is with a Strat (or Strat like substance) with a single coil in the neck.

Truth. I'll get there eventually though... I just want a good single coil neck tone for now. The split '59 sounds great for a split humbucker, but as with anything split it is very weak. I think I'm gonna make the swap.

I'm going to try to do a little different mod by changing up the JP wiring a little bit. I'm going to try to keep the series with bridge option, and change the reverse phasing on the bridge tone to bridge in parallel. Hopefully Artie or somebody can help me out with that...

Any more input on the phat cat?


Originally Posted by KelseyThe Phat Cat is thicker sounding than a traditional Strat SC, but it does sound good. Perhaps you could try wiring the 59 in parallel rather than split for a better tone? Just a thought based on absolutely no experience.

You know what, I may just try that. I just may...


Originally Posted by Cory_DylanHopefully Artie or somebody can help me out with that...

Just let me know when and what.

My Distortion neck has a great quot;Strattyquot; split tone, but that probably won't help you much.

Artie

Parallel will give you humbucking, but the output will be weaker than split:

8k pickup split = 8k-4k = 4k
8k pickup in parallel = square root of 8k = 2k

Go with the Phat Cat, and actually unwind about 1,000 turns off the coil to give you 7k if you dare -- then it will sound great, even though it will never sound like a Strat.

On the other hand, if you really and truly have to have that Strat tone, go ahead and put a Strat pickup in there. If you can live with the odd look, you'll have that sound...


Originally Posted by Zhangliqun8k pickup split = 8k-4k = 4k
8k pickup in parallel = square root of 8k = 2k

Edit: I spoke too soon. See post farther down.

Your math is good-to-go . . . your theory . . . not so much.

Remember, in parallel, you'll have two voltage generators.

Artie

I have experience with this too -- I've wired humbuckers in parallel and they definitely and without exception sound weaker than split.

Its funny, with all the weird wiring I've tried, I've never put parallel and split on the same switch, so that I could compare the two instantly. I'll have to try that this weekend. I believe what you're saying, I've just not heard it.
Although, I do recall that I didn't care for the sound of my C5 in parallel. It was as you said . . . weak, and lifeless.

Artie

I only had to think about this for a moment, and now it makes sense. You're absolutely correct. Two coils in parallel would increase the pups ability to supply more current. The voltage would stay the same. But a guitar doesn't work on current, it works on voltage. The voltages wouldn't be identical, and therefore, some of the signal would cancel - thus, a weaker signal.

I like it when folks make me think.

Sorry for the contradiction, Zhangliqun.

Artie

All I know is that my JB bridge sounds great in parallel

I don't think the PC sounds very stratty. I have a pair of them in my Sheraton and they are hotter and fatter than the APS' in my strat.

Try a Rio Grande Tallboy humbucker. I had one in my Carvin and it did a great single coil impressio, even when in humbucker mode.

They make little mounting plates (somewhere) that allows you to put a single coil in a humbucker routing.If I were you, I'd look into one of thoes, someone here is bound to know where to get em.

Thanks for all the input...

Though, I would like to try a P-90. I've heard they have a really surprising tone. I'm not looking to NAIL a strat sound, because I will own one eventually, I just want to get closer to a good single coil neck tone for now. Does anybody know where any clips of a P-90 in the neck position clean are? I'd really like to hear them to get an idea...


Originally Posted by Cory_DylanTruth. I'll get there eventually though... I just want a good single coil neck tone for now.

I would really look into a Dimarzio Humbucker from Hell.....dont' let the name fool you....it really sounds like a single coil. One of my favorite neck pickups....bright, clear, and chimey. It was designed to do what you're looking for....single coil sound in humbucker housing minus the noise.


Originally Posted by MephisThey make little mounting plates (somewhere) that allows you to put a single coil in a humbucker routing.If I were you, I'd look into one of thoes, someone here is bound to know where to get em.

Beat me to i
t.
If you want a more strat like sound, get a strat pickup. Pretty simple.

Indeed if you not care about looks, a strat single coil pickup fits into a HB mounting ring! You could try a strat single coil in there and then decide whether or not get a more fancy mounting ring.

B

If you aren't really trying to capture a Strat tone, but want a single coil tone, then by all means just drop in a Phat Cat and have a whirl. It's a very nice pickup clean or dirty.

Well, I'm gonna do it. I just need to get rid of this '59... Anybody interested?