Some newer models of Stratocasters come with one humbucker and two single-coil pickups. The single-coil pickups are not well suited for distortions as they produce feedback and noise. Pickupsįender Stratocaster is a classic design with 3 single-coil pickups which enables the thin and crisp yet clean sound. Let’s start with the most common reason for the difference in their sound that is the pick-ups, then we will look into others as well. Here is a brief representation of their features.Ĭriteria Stratocaster Les Paul Natural Tone Bright, thin & crunchy Warm, Creamy & Mid-focused Body Material Ash / Alder wood Mahogany with maple cap Neck Material Maple Mahogany Neck Design Bolt on neck Set neck Neck Radius C-Shape U-shape Pick-ups 3 single-coil pickups 2 humbucking pickups Pickup selector Switch 5 way 3 way Control knobs 3 (1 volume, 2 tone controls) 4 (2 volumes, 2 tone controls) Scale Length 25.5 24.75 Cutaway type Double Cutaway Single CutawayĪlmost every feature of each of these guitars contributes to their unique sound. So, to make a Stratocaster sound close to a Les Paul, first, we need to understand what makes the difference in their sounds. Their body material, measurements, alignments, and electronics all play their part in rendering such sounds. The iconic designs of these two guitar models are responsible for such uniquely distinctive tones. You must have noticed that a Stratocaster sounds bright, thin, and crunchy whereas a Les Paul sounds creamy, thick, and warm. Related Posts: Stratocaster Vs Les Paul: Understanding Their Differences to Replicate the Sound Can a Les Paul Sound Like a Stratocaster? How Can a Stratocaster Sound Close to a Les Paul Stratocaster Vs Les Paul: Understanding Their Differences to Replicate the Sound
#Single coil vs humbucker amp settings movie
If the engineer doesn't want to do any of that and starts suggesting(other mics other recording inputs.etc) I usually say: "I can make double the amount I'm making here playing e ya later!!!!! and Leave.īut I only had to leave two of those but Over 100 CD's over 10 movie soundtracks and more radio/tv commercials I can count in last 26 years we successfully recording NO HUM!!!!ĪLL WITH ORIGINAL SINGLE COIL SHO~BUD PICKUP. So you adjust your amp volume to give the engineer the volume he needs as long as your volume pedal goes just over half for volume he needs.> Make sense?Īlso have the engineer stick the most expensive "Vocal" mic in front of your amp speaker and go for it.
#Single coil vs humbucker amp settings full
The Main ingredient is NOT to open the volume pot more than 3/4 of the way for full volume. You have to use a Pot pedal with either a good/original Allen Bradley Pot or new Dunlop Pot.
Yes Larry just described how I've been able to record on Major Motion Picture Soundtracks(most Richard Linklater movies) and Radio Commercials with NO HUM from my Single Coil Pickup. I’m actively looking for a new SD10, and I think I’m gonna give a humbucker like the 705 a try! Yet, sometimes the top end can be a bit strident. And for me, who is usually just adding a bit of pedal steel to “fill in the gaps” of a band mix, I tend to focus my efforts on the top strings, as the lower tones can easily clash with other instruments. I don’t fault Mullen, that just seems to be the nature of the beast with single coils. But the noise when recording can be an issue. The Mullen is an exquisite guitar, and the single coil pickup sounds really nice. Thank you for your very helpful comments. I've done sessions with both and as Buddy Emmons would say, I can't tell a dimes worth of difference. The humbucker is definitely more balanced and hum free.
However, I do prefer the clarity on the lower strings with the single coil but the humbucker still sounds good in that regard so it's not worth the trade off for me. With the BL 705, the high strings still sound clean but have more depth and body. Like I say, the single coil sounded good but sometimes the top end sounded thin and grainy. I swapped the pickup in my Discovery from the single coil to a BL 705 and couldn't be happier. Even though I thought the single coil sounded good, I do a fair bit of online recording and don't like hum of any kind.
I ordered the G2 with BL 705 pickups and the Discovery(demo model) came with the Mullen single coil. Hi Charley, I play a Mullen G2 and a Discovery.