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Is the clarity, touch sensitivity, and other single coil characteristics SOLELY a function of the lower output of the pickup or do the extra magnets in buckers also have a tonal effect (other than increasing the output)?

single coils generally have 6 magnets while humbuckers usually have one.

the singles individual magnets which extend up to and often ABOVE the coils makes and is totally vertically through the coil creates a different magnetic field around the coil.

A humbucker is much higher resistance and inductance and the signal of one coil runs through the other in series and they also pick up a greater area of the vibrating length of the string.
The coils also pick up at a slightly different area ofthe string's vibration creating a phase cancellation of different frequencies/harmonics.

I think that a large part of it is also the fact that a normal strat or Tele pickups's polepieces are the magnets, while a 'bucker's magnet is under the coils. Another thing is the fact that a single coil only quot;seesquot; a very narrow portion of the string, while a humbucker sees almost twice as much.

god-damn it i love this forum. You guys rule.


Originally Posted by TheGZeusA humbucker is much higher resistance and inductance . . .

Although, this will depend on the individual pickup. An SSL-3 Hot is twice the resistance of a 59.


Originally Posted by ArtieTooAlthough, this will depend on the individual pickup. An SSL-3 Hot is twice the resistance of a 59.

The Quarter Pounder is too, almost, depending on if you're talking neck or bridge 59. But it's also got bigger magnets than the SSL-3 so it may have more output. (Never A/B'd them so I don't know.)

A good example which shows WHY Single-Coils and humbuckers are different is the Stag Mag.
That's a humbucker wired as usual, but it is built like two single-coils on one humbucker plate.
This gives you a different sound and shows how the magnet field (pole pieces vs magnet bar) does affect the tone.
It's not the same, that's the reason why a splitted humbucker does not sound the same as a single-coil: You have a half magnet field of the humbucker.


Originally Posted by Inge MalmsteinA good example which shows WHY Single-Coils and humbuckers are different is the Stag Mag.
That's a humbucker wired as usual, but it is built like two single-coils on one humbucker plate.
This gives you a different sound and shows how the magnet field (pole pieces vs magnet bar) does affect the tone.
It's not the same, that's the reason why a splitted humbucker does not sound the same as a single-coil: You have a half magnet field of the humbucker.How does that Stag Mag sound compared to a nice Strat single coils sound like Blackmore or Yngwie gets.

In a humbucker the two rows of polepieces are about 1quot; away from each other. Because the two rows of polepieces are reverse polarity, my understanding is that the harmonics in between the two rows are cancelled...resulting in the warmer tone of a full sized humbucker compared to a single coil.

When one coil in a humbucker is overwound slightly compared to the other, that slightly overwound coil dominates a little and the pickup is brighter than one with matched coils wound identically.

This is not info based on my own experience...I have no experience winding pickups my self. This info is what I was told by Lindy Fralin when he described the Fralin Unbucker to me and explained how it worked and why it's tonality was brighter and slightly more single coil like.

So why does a single coil sound the way it does? (brighter than humbucker...) Because it is a single coil and it doesn't have a second coil that is out of phase with 1quot; away cancelling the harmonics in that 1quot; space between the two...as I undestand Lindy's explanation.

Lew


Originally Posted by GHWellesHow does that Stag Mag sound compared to a nice Strat single coils sound like Blackmore or Yngwie gets.

The Stag Mag is a bit of an unusual pup. At least, to me. I've had an up/down relationship with it. I've never quot;lovedquot; it, or quot;hatedquot; it. Just liked it, and then it didn't quite fit my bill. I had two, sold them both, and now I'm thinking of getting another.

The Stag Mag is marketed as a bridge pup, but makes a better neck pup. (Again, at least to me.) Many folks think of neck humbuckers as being mellow and bassy. The SM solves that problem. It has nice, clean clear tone as a humbucker, and an even better tone as a single - making it a perfect neck pup.

Its a great pup, in the right application. (Now, I've talked myself into wanting another.)

Artie

Oh yeah . . . to answer your original question - its great as a single-coil, because thats what it is.
(When split.)


Originally Posted by Inge MalmsteinIt's not the same, that's the reason why a splitted humbucker does not sound the same as a single-coil: You have a half magnet field of the humbucker.

And less than 2/3rds of the DC resistance if you're talking about the typical 7.5-8.0k PAF style humbucker -- gives you a /-4.0k coil compared to the average 6.0 to 6.5k Strat pu.

Can the Alnico-2 magnets be swapped with Alnico-5. Kind of like the 5/2. Like if I want the EAD strings to have A5 and GBE strings to have A2. OR One coil has top 3 A2 and botton A5 and the other coil top 3 A5 and bottom A2? Whew