Sigle-coil sized humbuckers?

[carfish7]

Ok, so I have one remaining Floyd equipped guitar and am determined to keep it around for a while, but here is where I am in need of some expert advice. I am a big fan of the Ibanez JS series (Joe Satriani model) and want to get as close to that setup as possible. I really want to have a guitar with a trem and a 'bucker in the neck position and short of routing out a Strat or Vintage S, I am left with the option of modding my Ibanez PL650, which has a similar spec to the JS but is H-S-S. How close to the sound of a PAF Pro can I get with a single-coil sized humbucker? Any idea which DiMarzio model might be in the ballpark?

As a curious side note, I finally figured out why the B and E stings kept buzzing when played open. This thing appears to have a LEFT-HANDED locking nut!?! I never knew such a thing existed, but the string slots are clearly wider on the skinny side. I guess I need to address that as well.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[murkat]

PM Jem.

He has that down pat

[zenmindbeginner]

I've heard of others wanting to do the exact same thing. You want a smoother and darker single coil sized humbucker.

Forget the rails. Guys who wanted to do this have all tried the Pro Track and it didn't have the right feel and response even though the tone was not a bad match.

FWIW, I'd say, use an Injector Bridge or a Virtual Solo in the neck and you'll be pleased with the results.

[Lockbody]

... and short of routing out a Strat or Vintage S

USA Strat? I would think anything since the mid-nineties will have either a swimming pool or HSH route.

[carfish7]

... and short of routing out a Strat or Vintage S

USA Strat? I would think anything since the mid-nineties will have either a swimming pool or HSH route.

Fender Japan with no pool.........

[Andrew]

I know I'll get criticised for this but the Seymour Duncan Hot Rails has the sort of mid-range of a full size humbucker. Oh, and it looks ugly-fuggly as well.

It may be too hot for your needs, though.

[Jeff R]

I had good experiences with Dimarzio Fast Track 2 pickups in the neck for convincing full-sized bucker sounds. One was an S-S-S Jackson bolt-on strat with a basswood body, floating locking trem and rosewood fingerboard. I loaded that with three FS2s and wired it push pull to tap the pickups and I got all kinds of tones out of it. Don't know if they're too hot for your tastes, but they weren't for mine.

[ZR]

I had good experiences with Dimarzio Fast Track 2 pickups in the neck for convincing full-sized bucker sounds. One was an S-S-S Jackson bolt-on strat with a basswood body, floating locking trem and rosewood fingerboard. I loaded that with three FS2s and wired it push pull to tap the pickups and I got all kinds of tones out of it. Don't know if they're too hot for your tastes, but they weren't for mine.

Ditto, fast track 2. Jeff, I accidently clicked dislike on your post when I actually meant like. Not sure how to change that or if it even really matters.

[zenmindbeginner]

I've never bought into the whole "string bending can bend the string past the poles and you can get drop out from dead spots" theory of why rail pickups are supposed to be superior to traditional pole designs. Back in the 90's when the field of stackable single coil humbuckers was really small and weak... rail pickups made sense.

Now that the stackable humbuckers have come of age and we have Injectors, Virtual Solos, Virtual Vintage, Area, Classic Stack Plus etc., the need for rail pickups is just sort of gone and they are verging towards being passé IMO.

In rail pickup's defense... they seem to all sound fantastic, have lots of available juice without being "too hot" and yield a smooth yet powerful sound.