Is it possible to set up a single coil in a dual-coil humbucker cavity? Morbid Angel's guitarist has a single coil in the neck position of a BC Rich Beast(think Instagib, I think most people know what this looks like). My question is: how is the pickup kept in place? using a block of wood or something? Also, are there any kind of adapters or something for installing single coils in humbucker cavities and making them look neat?

I'm also wondering how well an EMG-81 at the bridge would sound with an EMG-S or SA in the neck position, or if I should just wait and get an 89(85 and S in one). I know Obituary now use the 81-SA-SA or 81-S-S(unsure) combo in their guitars but I can't tell much of a difference from a typical 81/85 setup. All I know is that I like the EMG single coils' sound a bit better than the 85's sound.

__________________

first off...screws hold the pickup in place...second question i don't know

__________________

dude, get an emg 89 for the neck

its the only emg that you can coil tap
coil tap allows you to cancel out one of the coils on a double coil (humbucker) and use the humbucker as a single coil pickup.

when its in humbucker mode, its almost exactly like an emg 85 and when its in single coil mode, its almost exactly like an emg SA.

so its really good for what you need.
pull up the pot and you have an emg SA at your neck, push down the pot and you have an emg 85 at your neck.

im loving this pickup, i've had it for like nearly 2 months

plus getting an emg 89 will stop you having to fuck around with pickup sizes and cavity conversions and whatnot.

I'd do what the chap said above, Get coil tap humbucker, not only will it fit in the hole properly and not leave un-sightly gaps but it will also give you more sound options for your playing.

__________________

or....for about 30 bucks...you could locate an architectural mill...give the dimensions of the cavity and the pickup you want placed in it...and the wood your body is made of...and they will make you a piece that will fit perfectly...and if it doesn't...they will keep trying until they get it right...then you can spend a little more money...and get a cool new paint job...

sounds good...i'd do it....

so much hassel

Yeah, it'll probably cost me as much or even more than getting 89, oh well, thanks for all the help and info though. If I go active I'll get an 81 and 89.

__________________

i have that combo, and what a combo it is def get those if you go for active pickups.

Do you always use the single coil option? How does it sound compared the dual mode? Do you only use the single coil for cleans and solos or also for low-end riffs?

__________________

i main use it for "solos" (not very good at solos...yet) and for little lead bits and cleans. it sounds great for chord playing and blues. it sounds pretty punchy when playing metal, a nice sharp sound. but i prefere it in humbucker mode for METAL. that thing kicks ass, fucking kicks the shit outta you when playing heavy low end riffs. i think the 89/85 sounds a lot heavier than the 81, even in neck possition...well imo.

The InstaGIB is an Ironbird FYI. And there is an EMG single coil in humbucker housing available too.

__________________

I know, my bad. I posted Beast for some reason lol.

__________________