Are you looking for the best single coil-sized humbucker? Look no further; you’re in the right place.
Thereâs no gainsaying that the different musical styles you can play on your electric guitar are limited to the pickup type(s). Assuming that you have a traditional Stratocaster or American vintage Telecaster, your instrument either has humbucker pickups or single-coil pickups. And that essentially implies you can practice excelling in only a specified number of music genres even if you keep swapping between different humbuckers and single-coils.
But what if you wish to explore a wide range of playing styles but have a bass that accepts only single-coil pickups? You can either revamp your instrument to make it compatible with humbuckers, buy a brand new guitar, or choose single-coil-sized humbucker pickups. The easiest and the most practical way out is to pick and choose from top-notch brands of single-coil-size humbuckers.
Single-coil-sized humbucker pickups of Seymour Duncan, ESP, and Fender featuring a humbucker-style construction effortlessly settle inside slots designed for single coils. Additionally, with single-coil size humbuckers, you can smoothly experiment with chiming notes of single-coils and fuller heavier humbucker sounds.
Best Single Coil-Sized Humbuckers – Comparison Table
1. Seymour Duncan 11205-02 SHR 1-b (Editor’s Choice)
In our opinion, the Seymour Duncan 11205-02 SHR 1-b is the single coil-sized humbucker available on the market at the moment.
Seymour Duncan enjoys worldwide popularity for creating the most performance-oriented single-coil humbuckers, such as the SHR-1 Hot Rails Pickup. Seymour Duncan claims that the SHR-1 Hot Rails are among the highest or best output single-coil size humbuckers they make. The single-coil size 11205-02 SHR 1-b high-output humbucker is a bridge pickup perfect for classic metal, thrash, heavy rock, punk, garage, and classic rock genres.
This single-coil humbucker for bridge effortlessly settles inside a standardized single-coil slot, ensuring a noise-canceling effect without having to make a deep gash in your guitar. This humbucker comprises two slim blades with robust coil windings over powerful ceramic magnets, which guarantees you a brilliant sustain typified by a rich, dense sound ideal for belting out heavier rock. The 11205-02 Seymour Duncan Hot Rails pickup is incredibly sensitive, responding to even the most delicate and understated strums.
The Hot Rails single-coil ârailsâ sized humbucker for bridge makes your instrument deliver oodles of midrange harmonics and crunchy bass, rendering it perfect for metal and rock. With the Hot Rails sitting tight in your Stratocasterâs bridge position, your instrument performs beyond your expectations. While the single notes leap out with a stupendous sizzle, the chords tend to be full-bodied with clean tones.
Features
- Replacement bridge pickup for Fender Stratocaster and American Standard Telecaster
- Ceramic magnets with overwound coils
- Color: Black
- You can also use it for the neck position
Pros
- Works with any well-balanced bass or acoustic guitar
- Perfectly compatible with rosewood and Maplewood fingerboards/fretboards
- High-output single-size coil humbucker
- Apt for playing nu-metal, classic metal, heavy rock, thrash, garage, vintage rock, and punk
- Excellent hum cancellation
Cons
- Soldering the pickup could be an issue, especially if the player is not familiar with welding
- Mids maybe a little too scooped up.
2. Seymour Duncan SHR-1 (Close Runner-Up)
The SHR-1, like the SHR 1-b, is one of the most performance-driven pickups characterized by exceptionally high output. This high-output pickup fits easily into any regular single-coil niche in a guitarâs neck position enabling your instrument to deliver balanced humbucker tones for rock and metal. Â The Seymour Duncan SHR-1 Hot Rails pickup features a robust ceramic magnet and overwound coils for delivering crystal clear tones characterized by a distinctive richness and denseness.
On the other hand, this single-coil-sized neck pickup by Seymour Duncan comes in handy for your Stratocaster, enabling it to deliver chunky yet smooth solos. The high-output SHR-1 helps produce thick and sticky notes and tons of midrange chorals letting you play nu-metal and hard rock. Twin-blade construction goes a long way in furnishing the crucial string coverage and lucidity, particularly for notes attuned to the uppermost frets.
The SHR-1 Seymour Duncan pickup featuring a 4-conductor lead wire (for customized wiring) has been handcrafted in Santa Barbara, CA. At the same time, the wax potting of the Hot Rails SHR-1 pickup boost its functional life and prevent microphonics.
Features
- Single- coil sized humbucker for the neck
- Pickup with an exceptionally high output
- Durable and resilient ceramic magnet
- Overwound coils
Pros
- Smoothly settles in the single-coil opening in your guitar and syncs with other pickups for a hum-canceling effect
- Â Highly sensitive to even the most nuanced of finger movements
- 4-conductor lead wire offers you several wiring options
Cons
- You may need professional assistance if youâre not comfortable with soldering.
3. Seymour Duncan Little 59 ST59-1B
The roadworthy Little 59 ST59-1B is the best aftermarket replacement bridge pickup for your Telecaster that youâll come across. The âLittle â59â pickup guarantees an evenly balanced sound with flat bass and treble response and an exaggerated upward midrange. The Seymour Duncan ST59-1B single-coil-sized pickup for bridge lives up to your expectations, helping deliver a vintage humbucker sound.
The full-bodied classic humbucker notes work with nearly any musical genre starting from rock to country and everything in between. The Little 59 pickup ensures a somewhat stouter treble accent compared to a conventional PAF with embellished articulation. This single-coil size humbucker helps belt out well-balanced vintage PAF-style sounds for stout hard-hitting solos and massive full-bodied harmonics.
This pickup bridge model can transform your Stratocaster or Telecaster into a Les Paul. Seymour Duncanâs ST59-1B helps bridge the gap between the two iconic solid-body guitar models: Fender Stratocaster and Gibson Les Paul. The Little â59 pickup transforms your humble bass into a perfect fusion of these two legendary guitars.
The broad range of this Seymour Duncan pickup makes it exceedingly versatile-you can strum melodious country notes, play hard rock, and so on.
Features
- Bridge pickup for American Standard Telecaster
- Single-coilâsized humbucker/pickup
- Ceramic bar magnet
- Wax potted for screech-free operation and extended shelf life
Pros
- It turns a standard bass into a versatile instrument for playing any musical genre
- 4-conductor lead wire for multiple split and parallel wiring options
- Pronounced sustain particularly on overdrive
- Superb noise reduction
Cons
- Setting up this bridge pickup could be a tad complicated, especially if youâre not conversant with soldering
- If youâre a single-coil buff, you may not like the heavier midrange and bass.
4. Seymour Duncan SDBR-1N
The SDBR-1N Duckbuckers Neck Strat Single Coil Sized Humbucker Pickup has been designed with meticulous care enabling you to wire it in parallel. Setting up this neck pickup for Stratocaster in parallel wiring mode guarantees a classic shimmering single-coil tenor devoid of hum.  The exclusive split-pole arrangement, where each coil has three pole pieces, causes crisp, terse low end and lively notes associated with single coils.
The SDBR-1N single-coil size pickup though suitable for neck position, also doubles up as a bridge pickup. When installed in the neck position, the SDBR-1N Duckbucker aids in enabling guitarists to play the entire gamut of rhythmic notes. The SDBR-1 Duckbucker can be used as a middle pickup as well, particularly in between the two higher-output pickups for that unmistakable duck-style quack effect resulting from 2nd and 4th position on the Stratocaster.
And when used in the bridge position, the SDBR-1makes the strings reproduced vivid, intense, and whippy notes with crunchy chords typified by clangy high end. The Seymour Duncan Duckbucker integrates six completely adjustable pole pieces and a characteristic split blade profile for delivering warm tones without any hum.
Despite the similarity to Vintage Railsâą in tonality, the pole pieces work more like a conventional pickup during string-bending. This white SDBR-1N Duckbucker is ideal for producing a classic Strat sound judiciously blended with the muckiness of a humbucker and the crankiness of a single coil.
Features
- Single coil size humbucker for the neck
- It also works as a replacement for bridge and middle pickups
- Split blade construction
- Three mini poles in each blade
Pros
- Works perfectly with Telecaster or Strat
- Ideal for heavier music genres
- Outstanding noise cancellation effect
- Adjustable pole pieces
Cons
- The trebles could sound overly piercing at times
- May not easily cut through a thick and dark mix
- The hum cancellation could suppress the fat and warm effect somewhat.
5. Seymour Duncan SHR-1N
The SHR-1N Hot Rails Neck Strat Humbucker excels as a high-output single-coil-size pickup designed innovatively to work with a Strat. You can install this pickup in the neck or middle position of your Stratocaster for playing classic metal, thrash, nu-metal, heavy rock, vintage rock, and punk. The SHR-1N is one of the most sought-after high-output picks produced by Seymour Duncan, featuring strong coil windings and heavy-duty ceramic magnets set in two slim blades.
The dual-blade construction coupled with the powerful overwound coils on ceramic magnets offers an exceptional sustain characterized by a full sound. The heavy and fat sound comes in handy for playing heavier musical styles. This single-size coil humbucker pickup is amazingly responsive to the subtlest of your finger movements.
The SHR-1N pickup humbucker comes with 4-conductor lead wires, thereby providing you with a range of wiring options. Add to the versatility of your instrument by installing SCR-1N Cool Rails in the neck, SVR-1N Vintage Rails in the middle, and SHR-1N in the bridge. Compatible with any well-balanced bass, the SHR-1N Hot Rails single-coil-sized pickup humbucker pairs well, especially with rosewood and maple fretboards.
Features
- Single-coil sized humbucker for Strat
- One of the highest-output humbucker from Seymour Duncan for neck/middle positions
- Ceramic bar magnet
- Color: Cream
Pros
- Perfect for playing classic metal, heavy rock, thrash, garage, and several other genres
- Very sensitive to finger movements
- High-output
- Multiple wiring options
Cons
- Sounds excessively bright for a humbucker
- Inexperienced players may struggle to fit this pickup in their instruments.
6. Fender Vintage Noiseless Tele Pickups
If youâre looking for a humbucker that emulates the snarl, hiss, and bite of a vintage noiseless Tele pickup, then look no further. Fender Vintage Noiselessâą TeleÂź Pickup delivers the sparkling single-coil precision, crispiness, and sharp plunk of the 60âs Tele pickup minus the buzz. The Noiseless Tele Pickups come equipped with Alnico 2 magnets together with enamel-veneered magnet wire rendering this single-coil-size humbucker immaculate for country, rock, jazz, and blues.
Stacked innovatively with enamel-coated wires spiraled around Alnico 2 magnets, these Tele pickups sound calmer than standardized humbucker pickups. When used in the neck position, the tonal quality is crystal clear, while in the bridge, the pickup turns out the vintage Tele twang.
Features
- Flush-mount pole pieces for a smooth and balanced string response
- Enamel-encrusted magnet coil for rich vintage tone
- Durable plastic bobbin and vinyl-covered output wire
- Alnico 2 magnets for mellow midrange and temperate attack
- Includes installation hardware
Pros
- Vintage Tele sound minus the drone of the conventional single-coil
- Highly recommended for pop, country, classic rock, rock, and blues
- 1-year limited warranty
- You can use it in bridge, middle, and neck positions
Cons
- Nickel silver alloy coating on this pickup does not work well for providing sufficient brightness and clarity
- Mids are practically missing
- Many players may not warm up to the sharp vibrating sounds.
7. Wilkinson Low Gauss
The Low Gauss Hot Rail Ceramic Humbucker by Wilkinson pairs perfectly with any electric guitar model compatible with a single-coil-sized humbucker. To be precise, the Wilkinson Low Gauss single-coil size humbucker pickup works best with different models of Squier and Fender. As Wilkinson uses authentic, high-quality OEM-style components, you can rest assured the pickup will fit on any standard Stratocaster pickguard.
This Wilkinson single-coil size humbucker has been designed with meticulous care to ensure thereâs minimal hum and distortion or overdrive. The wax potting makes sure that microphonics is reduced to a minimum and guarantees an extended functional life. The Low Gauss pickup humbucker delivers sound very similar to a potent single-coil pickup.
Experiment with different genuine single-coils in bridge and neck positions along with this pickup for a wide range of tonalities.
Features
- Single-coil sized humbucker pickup for Stratocaster electric guitar (neck)
- Ceramic magnet
- Vintage staggered pole piece design
- Â It comes with hardware for installation
Pros
- Hum canceling effect
- Pickup compatible for use with any electric bass in any position
- High-output single-coils standardized for overdriven tones and additional midrange
Cons
- You may need to buy screws and springs separately as the included hardware may be incompatible with your instrument
- The sound is somewhat trebly
FAQs: Single Coil-Sized Humbuckers
Are Single Coil Humbuckers Good?
How your bass or electric guitar will perform depends not only on the wood used for crafting the instrument, the strings, and the amp but also on its pickups. It is the pickup(s) that enable your instrument to be audible and allow you to play any musical style or genre. Electric guitars and electric basses chiefly use two broad types of pickups-single coil and humbucker.
Single-coil pickups are what you need when you want to play chimney glassy tunes. And if youâre looking for higher output and warmer fuller tunes without the hum, then a humbucker (therefore the name) is the way to go (a pair of the best single-coil pickups). But what if you want more attack, more crunchy tunes, and more power with higher distortion levels but minimal buzz?
Simply put, you want a pickup or pickups that let you have the best of both worlds. Welcome to the world of single-coil-size humbuckers. Yes, single-coil-sized humbuckers from Seymour Duncan, DiMarzio, and Fender let you reap the benefits of both humbuckers and single-coil pickups.
With a single-coil size humbucker pickup in your Stratocasterâs or Telecasterâs bridge or neck position, you can play pompous high-output- to P.A.F. vintage tones and everything in between. You can mix and match single-coils, humbuckers, and single-coil-sized humbucker pickups in your guitar and feel the variations in tonalities.
To put it in perspective, pay close attention to the tonal differences and tenor disparities, especially for positions 4 and 2. When you use exclusively single-coil pickups, the tones will be somewhat screechy, especially when you strum at higher amp volumes. Single-coil notes tend to be bright and clean with an idiosyncratic chiming quality, but thereâs always the attendant background hum.
Humbucker pickups allow you to work around the drawbacks of single-coils, letting you play the musical genres as youâd with the latter. Carefully notice the distinctions in bass and midrange frequencies when using humbucker pickups vis-Ă -vis single-coil pickups.
Who Makes the Best Single Coil Sized Humbuckers?
Seymour Duncan wins hands down when it comes to producing the top-notch single-coil-sized humbuckers. At least 8 out of every 10 single-coil size humbucker pickups sold globally tend to be Seymour Duncan. Other reputed producers include Fender, DiMarzio, Gibson, and EMG,
Can a Humbucker Sound Like Single Coil and Vice Versa?
Single-coil pickups will consistently deliver sounds typical of a single-coil, though often, you can achieve plucky and intense tones you usually expect from a humbucker. However, on most occasions, youâll struggle to accomplish the exquisite tonal characteristics of humbucker using single-coil pickups either in bridge or neck positions. But of course, you can make your single-coil sound like a humbucker and vice versa by following these tips:-
- Set up humbucker pickups
- Take advantage of a pickup plug-in/software and pickup simulator pedal
- Boost the natural sustain of your guitar
- Condense or fatten the sound by making the most of guitar effects like compression, octave, chorus, and delay
- Modify your instrumentâs EQ and amp for a thicker, richer, and warmer tone
Conclusion: The Best Single Coil-Sized Humbucker
If youâre looking for a more eclectic soundstage without modifying your existing guitar or buying a new one, then youâll have to transition from single-coils to single-coil-sized humbuckers.
In this review on âbest single-coil size humbucker,â 5 of the 7 products are from Seymour Duncan, which speaks volumes about the companyâs single-coil humbuckersâ universal popularity. However, you should be mentally prepared to trade off some crustiness and heaviness-the distinguishing hallmarks of single-coils-for hum minimization.
We think that the SD 11205-02 SHR 1-b is the best single coil-sized humbucker on the market.