Traditional Strat guitar pickups have their time and place. When you want that quintessential, glassy, bell-like chime—nothing does it like a classic Strat single coil. But sometimes we want more, more power, more output, more authority, more aggression out of our Strat. Often times, this is where traditional, vintage Strat guitar pickups don’t make the cut.

Enter the Single Coil-Sized Humbuckers: all the huge, warm, harmonically rich power of a full-sized humbucker in a drop-in replacement, single coil size for Strat. Now you can achieve vintage P.A.F. tones, bombastic high output shred tones, and everything in between with your classic SSS Strat setup.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “What about positions 2 and 4? Won’t those positions sound odd with multiple humbuckers engaged? What if I still want that classic Strat-y quack in the notched positions?” No need to spiral into a tizzy! We’ve got you covered. All of our Single Coil-Sized Humbuckers come standard with 4-conductor lead wires, which easily allow you to wire them for auto-splitting in the notched positions, coil splitting on a push/pull pot, push/push pot, or mini toggle switches, or various series/parallel wiring options. Classic Strat when you want it, Humbucking punch when you don’t.

As with most pickup types, we offer a variety of Single Coil-Sized Humbuckers here at Seymour Duncan. So, here’s a guide to navigate our Single Coil-Sized Humbucker assortment as you embark on your quest for your dream Strat tone!

Learn the tonal differences between our Single Coil-Sized Humbucker Strat guitar pickups

Little 59 Strat

Magnet Type: Ceramic

Neck/Middle DCR: 9.8k // Bridge DCR: 11.7k

With the Little 59, you’re able to coax warm, smooth, and defined P.A.F. tones from any Strat. The neck model has a slightly stronger treble emphasis than a traditional P.A.F., with added articulation, and provides a nice, balanced P.A.F.-like response for big, full chords, and fat, punchy solos. The Little ‘59 bridge model will inject the sound of a Les Paul directly into your Strat. Its medium output and scooped midrange will add depth and dimension to your bridge position tones.

JB Jr. Strat

Magnet Type: Ceramic

Neck/Middle DCR: 10.1k // Bridge DCR: 15.2k

Discover the essence of our legendary JB Model Humbucker in a single-coil sized, humbucking guitar pickup for Strat. The JB Jr. delivers all the upper midrange harmonics and power to breathe new life into your Stratocaster.

In the bridge position, this high output single coil sized humbucker will give you nice crunchy chords and screaming lead tone with that classic upper midrange cut. There will be tons of bright harmonic sparkle, and a tight, focused low end.

In the neck position, it will deliver a big, bold sound – great for fat rhythm playing, and thick, searing solos.

Billy Gibbons’ Signature Red Devil Strat

Magnet Type: Alnico V

Neck DCR: 11.29k // Middle DCR: 11.7k // Bridge DCR: 13.95k

All the fat, P.A.F. tone and Texas hot-sauce sizzle of Billy’s favorite 59 Les Paul, in a pickup that will fit in any Strat-sized single coil rout. The Red Devil set features three unique pickup winds, each using specially calibrated Alnico 5 magnets.

The bridge pickup is wound like an extra spicy P.A.F., with enough meat to beef up your Strat and provide the fat tone that Billy is known for.

The neck and middle pickups back off the heat a little and brush on sweet, smoky blues—making them perfect for ringing clean tones and chunky rhythms, but with all the horsepower Billy demands for lead playing.

Hot Rails Strat

Magnet Type: Ceramic

Neck/Middle DCR: 10.9k // Bridge DCR: 16.6k

With all the feel and tone of an aggressive high output humbucker, the Hot Rails Strat is our most powerful passive pickup for Stratocaster.

The neck model features a strong ceramic magnet and overwound coils to deliver big sounding, well balanced humbucker tones for rock and metal. Clean tones are fat and warm, and solos will have that thick, fluid feel.

The bridge model delivers a high output, loads of midrange harmonic content, and a saturated crunch that makes this a great bridge pickup for rock and metal. Chords are full and powerful, and single notes jump out with amazing sizzle. The dual blade construction also provides the ultimate string coverage and clarity, especially for notes that are bent on the highest frets.

Cool Rails Strat

Magnet Type: Ceramic

Neck/Middle DCR: 9.8k // Bridge DCR: 10.6k

The Cool Rails Strat features a nicely balanced, smooth and bluesy humbucker tone in a rail-style single-coil sized humbucker design. The high end is bright and dynamic while the midrange is slightly scooped.

The medium output bridge position wind gives chords that thick humbucker crunch and single notes just the right amount of sizzle without being harsh. The bridge position matches very well with traditional single coils in the neck and middle to add versatility to any guitar.

The Cool Rails neck position delivers an articulate and full sound, much like a full-sized humbucker. Its medium output makes it a great sonic match for a Hot Rails, JB Jr., or any standard-sized humbucker in the bridge position as well. Chords will be warm and articulate, with a subtle scoop in the mids, and solos will be fat and crisp. Like the Hot Rails Strat, the dual-blade design provides excellent sustain, especially for string bending on the higher frets.

Duckbucker Strat

Magnet Type: Ceramic

Neck/Middle DCR: 2.5k // Bridge DCR: 2.9k

The Duckbucker Strat is a vintage output, single coil-sized humbucker that is specifically voiced for total Strat quack (hence the name). It’s designed to be wired in parallel to give you a vintage, sparkly, single coil tone without any hum, and its unique, split-pole pattern, with three pole pieces on each coil, also contributes to the single coil-like bounciness and snappy low end.

In the bridge position, the Duckbucker is bright and spanky. Chords have a crisp, shimmering quality with a chime-y high end.

In the neck position, the Duckbucker is great for all types of clean rhythm playing. Most commonly, the Duckbucker can be found in the middle position of a Strat, and is great in between two higher-output pickups for that iconic Strat-y “quack” in positions 2 and 4.

Vintage Rails Strat

Magnet Type: Ceramic

Neck/Middle DCR: 2.5k // Bridge DCR: 2.9k

The Vintage Rails Strat provide single coil-like sparkle and feature a vintage output and hum-canceling split-blade design to give you even sustain while bending notes. The Vintage Rails are meant to be wired in parallel to give you a sparkly, vintage style single coil tone without the Strat hum.

In the bridge position, this pickup will be tight and crisp, and will give you lots of vintage Strat snap.

In the neck position, it’s great for all types of articulate rhythm playing. The vintage output wind keeps even the most clustered chords expressive and spanky. Like the Duckbucker, the Vintage Rails are most commonly found in the middle position of a Strat, and sound great in between the Cool Rails or Hot Rails for that iconic Strat-y “quack” in positions 2 and 4.

Lil’ Screamin’ Demon Strat

Magnet Type: Ceramic

Neck/Middle DCR: 9.8k // Bridge DCR: 13.6k

The Lil’ Screamin’ Demon combines a big, open sound with just a subtle hint of glass, and will bring screamin’ rich harmonics and percussive power to any Stratocaster.

The bridge position is great for edgy, distorted rhythm playing where you really need to hear the pick attack on the low strings. Solos will have a bright, aggressive, articulate tonal character that will have no problem cutting through the mix.

In the neck position, The Lil’ Screamin’ Demon will deliver clear, pristine humbucker tone. It offers a well-balanced sound with a slightly enhanced treble emphasis to give it a little more edge. Great for cutting leads, or full sounding rhythms, this pickup will add sizzle to your neck position.