Humbucker Sized Single Coil Pickups
After an email chat about Wide Range Humbucker modifications I came up with these.
These Single Coil voiced Humbuckers (affectionately named "Wide-O's") are based on the old Wide Range Humbucker trick where 3 of the threaded magnets were removed from each bobbin leaving a hum cancelling single coil tone from the remaining pickup. While not intended to be a vintage recreation of the Wide Range Humbucker (I make those here) & its modification, I've tried to create a pickup close to the tone that will fit into a standard humbucker rout. Essentially a humbucker sized single coil but with more presence and fatter tone. Like the standard single coil, each string has its own magnet for clarity & string definition.
The magnets in the original WR Humbuckers can now be as low as 30% of their original capacity. This can mean, when modified, a warmer single coil tone with less output. I've tried to create a pickup inspired by this modified voicing that will fit into a standard humbucker size rout. The magnets I use are Alnico 2 and not charged to their maximum which does lower the output and give the pickup that slightly warmer, more resonant single coil sound. The higher number of winds, 43 AWG gauge wire and Alnico 2 magnets help to keep the balance of output, highs & mids.
I also offer a version with fully charged magnets for a higher output, modern sounding pickup with more attack and brighter edge to the tone.
PLEASE NOTE - THESE SINGLE COIL VOICED PICKUPS FIT STANDARD HUMBUCKER CAVITIES. Also, I can stagger the magnets to follow your neck radius. Just let me know whether you have a 7.25", 9.5", 12" etc etc neck radius and I'll stagger the magnets accordingly. This way you can keep a good action on your setup.
You can purchase a set of my Custom 'Wide-O' Single Coil Voiced Humbucker sized Bridge and Neck Pickup Set here
Click on the video tab below for a quick Video Demo.
Handwound in my workshop here in Manchester
You're a genius. Acoustic 'Wide-O' sounds amazing. I have the new sound. Thank you!
Alex Kapranos, Franz Ferdinand
Classic "Wide-O" Pickups
"Wide-O" Single Coil Voiced Humbucker Sized Pickup
Magnets: Alnico 2
Poles: Flat
Coil Wire: 43AWG Plain Enamel
Lead Wire: Vintage Braided or Vintage Cloth
Bridge Output: 8.3k
Neck Output: 7.4k
With the lower output magnets the tone is classic single coil - clean, bright with typical bridge bite. The bridge pickup has a non-ferrous copper plate underneath the magnets to shift the resonances toward the lows, resulting in a slightly fatter, more pleasant tone.
With the fully charged magnets, when the volume is rolled up the pickup has a more modern aggressive & biting attack with an output that can really drive an amp - somewhere between a higher output Tele bridge & P90. Still bright with lots of air but balanced by more in the mids. A great pickup if you're after Humbucker Sized single Coil voiced pickups.
With the Neck pickup, the lower output magnets the tone is sweet, clean & warm in the neck position with clarity and great string definition. With the fully charged magnets the tone has a more modern brighter, snappier attacking voice. A great Single coil voiced pickup in a Humbucker size for the neck position.
"Wide-O" Fat Humbucker Sized Pickup
Magnets: Alnico 2
Poles: Flat
Coil Wire: 43AWG Plain Enamel
Lead Wire: Vintage Braided or Vintage Cloth
Output: 8.3k
Neck Output: 7.4k
A fatter pickup due to the mix of higher & lower charged magnets. Where the standard "Wide-O" is single coil voice in a humbucker size, the "Wide-O" Fat Bridge & Neck pickup replaces the slugs with low charge staggered Alnico 2 magnets. Each string still has its own magnet for clarity & string definition. The difference with this fatter bridge is that the lower charge pole magnets widen the area of string magnetised, creating a beefier tone but unlike the humbucker where the bar magnet lies underneath both the slugs & screws giving an even spread of magnetised string, this variation gives the tone of the point of magnetisation over the pole with a kind of residual tone of the string above the slightly magnetised opposite pole.
This in effect is similar to the sound fading from magnet to slug which is somewhat fatter than a single coil but not as beefed up as a humbucker. Essentially a single coil voice with more presence in a standard Humbucker size.
Overwound "Wide-O" Pickups
"Wide-O" Hot Coil Pickup
Magnets: Alnico 5
Poles: Threaded Magnets
Coil Wire: 43AWG Plain Enamel
Lead Wire: Vintage Braided
Output: 12.3k
A fatter, higher output pickup designed specifically for the bridge position.
Individual threaded magnets help you balance the strings with your guitar's neck radius.
Still with a bright attack, the Hot Coil Wide-O pickup warms up the bridge position giving a higher output single coil tone.
Essentially a hot single coil voice with more presence in a standard Humbucker size.
Reviews of my 'Wide-O' Single Coil Voiced, Humbucker Sized Pickups
"The Tele is back together. Wide-Os from The Creamery sound absolutely amazing! You want chime? You want air? Love them."
Paul Roub
I did sit with the guitar and have a good listen to your pickups. They do sound rather nice, definitely humbucker fullness, but there's a sparkle to the highs that one doesn't get with a traditional h/b. I guess your idea works! Good stuff......it's always nice to find something different.
Roger Giffin, Giffin Guitars
I'm really liking them. I especially like the neck pickup, the Wide-O goes very well with the fat Wide-O in the bridge."
Mark Harman
"Sounds great! Really happy with everything. Your stuff is Spot-On."
Anthony, Moose Guitars
"The pickups crossed the pond, made it safely to my doorstep, and are now resting comfortably in my guitar. Firstly, I want to say how unbelievably amazing they sound!. The stock Humbuckers in my guitar sounded dull, and all together underwhelming. The Wide-O's are absolutely flawless. Your pickups have completely nailed that elusive tone, I've been chasing after.
Thank you very much for being so patient with my questions, and guiding me through the process of finding the right sound. You do fantastic work. I can't say enough good things about your customer service, or the quality of your products. Thank you again!"
Chris Freeborn
"I love this pickup!"
Paul J
"Just fitted the Wide Range Humbucker upgrade into my 72 Custom Telecaster yesterday. What a revelation. Fantastic tone, dynamics and note separation. Actually unlike any pickup I've ever heard. Everything I like about single coils and more- and so much better than the muddy sounding 're-issue' 'bucker that Fender ship the guitar with. These are the tones I was looking for. Thank you! Very happy."
Gary Mortensen-Barker
- "Wide-O" Wide Range Humbucker Style Pickup Video Demo
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"Wide-O" Single Coil Voiced Wide Range Humbucker Style Pickups - Quick demo video. Fitted to Guitar 002 The Butcher's Block. The audio hasn't been treated or mixed, just the volume and tone rolled up, Played clean through a DI box & M-Audio Duo mic Pre-amp straight into Apple iMovie & recorded via web cam. SImple strumming played clean to give you the true sound of the pickups.
From The Creamery on Vimeo.
