You love your Stratocaster. It plays great, looks great, and even sounds great. But it just can’t get that beefy, fat humbucker tone. So you decide humbuckers are the best option, but you can’t fit a humbucker into a standard Stratocaster without ripping a big hole in the pickguard.
Or can you?
Enter single-coil-sized humbuckers, which have the humbucker sound but in the size of your standard single-coil pickups.
Here we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 most popular single-coil-sized humbuckers for your Stratocaster, complete with pros and cons.
Seymour Duncan SHR-1b Hot Rails
The Seymour Duncan SHR-1b Hot Rails is a high-output humbucker that’s great for heavy rock and metal. It’s like strapping a rocket to your Stratocaster. But, be warned, it can get a little muddy and lose some clarity at high gain levels.
Pros: High output for heavy rock and metal, great sustain and distortion.
Cons: May lose clarity at high gain levels, not ideal for clean tones.
If you want a humbucker tone without sacrificing the clarity of a single-coil, the DiMarzio DP187 Cruiser is the way to go. It’s like a superhero for your Strat, eliminating the hum without sacrificing your sweet, sweet tone.
Pros: Humbucker tone without sacrificing clarity, great for clean and distorted tones.
Cons: May not provide the same warmth as other pickups, may require some EQ tweaking.
Seymour Duncan SL59-1 Little ’59 (OUR CHOICE)
For that classic PAF humbucker tone in a single-coil size, look no further than the Seymour Duncan SL59-1 Little ’59. It’s versatile enough to handle blues, rock, and metal, but it won’t give you the same clarity at super high gain settings as some of the other options on this list.
Pros: Classic PAF humbucker tone, great for blues and classic rock.
Cons: May lack clarity and fullness compared to other pickups.
Lace Sensor Blue-Silver-Red 3-Pack (MOST VERSATILE)
The Lace Sensor Blue-Silver-Red 3-Pack is like a Swiss Army Knife for your Stratocaster. You get three single-coil-sized pickups with three distinct tones: warm and punchy (Blue), fat and rich (Silver), and hot and aggressive (Red). The blue and red provide the humbucking tones, while the middle silver pickup is a snappy single-coil. Be warned, it may take some tweaking to find the right balance of these three pickups, but it’s worth the effort. Just ask Buddy Guy.
Pros: Three distinct tones in one set, great for versatile players.
Cons: May require some tweaking to find the right balance between the pickups.
Seymour Duncan STK-S4 Classic Stack Plus
The Seymour Duncan STK-S4 Classic Stack Plus is the perfect pickup for those who want a classic Strat tone without the hum. It’s like a ninja, stealthily eliminating the hum without you even noticing. The Seymour Duncan Classic Stack is a great pickup because it offers the classic Stratocaster single-coil tone without the associated hum and noise. Additionally, its stacked design and Alnico 5 magnets deliver a well-balanced sound with excellent midrange punch and sustain. But, be warned, it may not provide the same fullness as some of the other options on this list.
Pros: Classic Strat tone without the hum, great for clean and distorted tones.
Cons: May not provide the same edgy fullness at high gain as some other more modern pickups.
In conclusion, if you’re a Stratocaster player looking to get that beefy, fat humbucker tone without having to modify the body or pickguard of your guitar, single-coil-sized humbuckers are the way to go. With the most popular options on this list, you’ll find pickups that offer high output, classic PAF tones, and versatile options for any style of music. While each pickup has its pros and cons, you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your playing style and tonal preferences. Don’t let the size fool you, these pickups pack a powerful punch and will take your Stratocaster to the next level.