Mini Humbucker guitars - Know any cool ones?

[Twangasaurus]

Soooo...
After a year I have decided that my G&L SC-2 isn't really doing it for me and while I like the generally idea of them (bright, hot, biggish) I don't really dig the mid scoop and the fact that it's almost impossible to get them to sound really nasty, they just have too much definition even with a fair amount of gain. I thought I would like that, turns out I don't.

I have been messing around at the local store with this LP deluxe and decided that mini humbuckers solve most of my problems but real Gibsons are out of my price range right now and to be honest I find most the Gibson and Epiphone mini humbucker offerings to be a little boring (even nighthawks, crestwoods n' stuff). Just wondering if you guys knew of any cool mini humbucker guitars for under $1000-ish?

Thank ya kindly.

[JuJo]

I picked up a Reverend Flatroc once in a music store and was pretty impressed by the sound of it. Haven't come across many other guitars with mini humbuckers.

[kosta]

Just out of curiosity, did you try any of the Gibson Studio 70's Tributes from last year? I didn't play the LP or the SG, but I did grab one of the Firebirds. I dig the mini-hums in that. Brighter than normal humbuckers, hotter than P90's, thicker than most single coils (definitely hotter and thicker than the MFD's in my SC-2 and my ASAT Special.)

[insubordination]

ESP XJ-6 is a dual mini-hum guitar. The LTD versions are very available, but I'd hold out for one of the MIJ versions that have trickled out in the past couple of years if you run across one. I own one of the MIJs, and have played an LTD, and the original is just a far superior guitar. Better electronics, better neck, better feel. Good guitars.

[Twangasaurus]

I picked up a Reverend Flatroc once in a music store and was pretty impressed by the sound of it. Haven't come across many other guitars with mini humbuckers.

I really like a l lot of Reverend guitars but I don't really like the Flatroc for some reason, I think it must be the pickguard. I also checked out the Sensei RT but I hate the finishes, silver sparkle isn't my idea of a good time. I haven't had a chance to play them either but most filtertron style pickups have never really captured me.

Just out of curiosity, did you try any of the Gibson Studio 70's Tributes from last year? I didn't play the LP or the SG, but I did grab one of the Firebirds. I dig the mini-hums in that. Brighter than normal humbuckers, hotter than P90's, thicker than most single coils (definitely hotter and thicker than the MFD's in my SC-2 and my ASAT Special.)

Yeah, it was the goldtop that I played in the store. I just had a look at the price and it's something I could potentially afford but I don't know, seems like the boring choice. As for the firebirds do they put regular mini humbuckers in the studio models or the more vintage correct firebird pickups? I'm not sure it matters for similar reasons stated above and while I like the look of firebirds they a bit of a pain to play in my opinion.

ESP XJ-6 is a dual mini-hum guitar. The LTD versions are very available, but I'd hold out for one of the MIJ versions that have trickled out in the past couple of years if you run across one. I own one of the MIJs, and have played an LTD, and the original is just a far superior guitar. Better electronics, better neck, better feel. Good guitars.

I was very interested in these but alas I have been completely unable to find anyone that sells those damn XJ-6 LTDs in Australia let alone finding the ESP model second hand. I'm also concerned about the reverse headstock, does it mess with string tension?

On another note has anyone tried the Hanson Firenze II? I'm not chuffed about the bigsby but other than that it looks pretty interesting.

[kosta]

Yeah, it was the goldtop that I played in the store. I just had a look at the price and it's something I could potentially afford but I don't know, seems like the boring choice. As for the firebirds do they put regular mini humbuckers in the studio models or the more vintage correct firebird pickups? I'm not sure it matters for similar reasons stated above and while I like the look of firebirds they a bit of a pain to play in my opinion.

The mini-hums in those 70's Tribute Firebird Studios were new last year. I don't know how they compare to the traditional Gibson minis though. I hear you on the ergonomics being weird on Firebirds. I find the 70's Tribute FB Studio to be pretty easy to wrangle with a heavier leather strap with rougher leather on the backside (keeps it from slipping and neck-diving.) And the they're slimmer and lighter to begin with, so the neck-dive seems less dramatic than it is on regular FB's. And I love the look of the satin heritage cherry finish on those.

[Twangasaurus]

The mini-hums in those 70's Tribute Firebird Studios were new last year. I don't know how they compare to the traditional Gibson minis though. I hear you on the ergonomics being weird on Firebirds. I find the 70's Tribute FB Studio to be pretty easy to wrangle with a heavier leather strap with rougher leather on the backside (keeps it from slipping and neck-diving.) And the they're slimmer and lighter to begin with, so the neck-dive seems less dramatic than it is on regular FB's. And I love the look of the satin heritage cherry finish on those.

Hmmm, I will have to check it out then. Local store only has one in silverburst but it's a good price.

maton on the off chance u find one?

Finding one definitely isn't a problem, local store is a dealer. The only problem is that none of the current models have mini humbuckers as far as I'm aware. I assume you're refering to the MS500? The pickup covers are strange but it has a full sized humbucker in the bridge and a P90 style single coil in the neck.

EDIT: Actually I'm not sure it is a full sized humbucker but I'm not sure it's a proper mini either?

[kosta]

I was literally just killing time at the guitar store while my buddy tried out a bunch of Les Pauls, and I picked up one of those Firebirds to pass the time and then couldn't stop thinking about it.... Had to get got.

Another option might be to find a P90 outfitted guitar that you like and throw some aftermarket mini-hums in it. Might open up the playing field for you a bit.

http://www.guitarfetish.com/Mini-Humbuc ... _1486.html

[Twangasaurus]

I was literally just killing time at the guitar store while my buddy tried out a bunch of Les Pauls, and I picked up one of those Firebirds to pass the time and then couldn't stop thinking about it.... Had to get got.

Another option might be to find a P90 outfitted guitar that you like and throw some aftermarket mini-hums in it. Might open up the playing field for you a bit.

http://www.guitarfetish.com/Mini-Humbuc ... _1486.html

Auuurgghh! You just made everything so much harder. So many sexy guitars so little time.

[Twangasaurus]

Some of the 2000s used to have minis as do a few older models http://www.valleymusic.com.au/index.php ... &Itemid=41
Way out of your price range but i've seen some pop up cheap

The 500 has p90 type thing and what's basically a fullsize although differently shaped humbucker they are routed for full humbuckers on neck and bridge tho

Cool, thanks for that. I definitely didn't know that they made them with mini buckers. I have always wanted a 2000 so I might save up a bit and see what I can find. That is of course if I don't wimp out and go for the Firenze II, the idea of getting it is definitely growing on me.

[insubordination]

ESP XJ-6 is a dual mini-hum guitar. The LTD versions are very available, but I'd hold out for one of the MIJ versions that have trickled out in the past couple of years if you run across one. I own one of the MIJs, and have played an LTD, and the original is just a far superior guitar. Better electronics, better neck, better feel. Good guitars.

I was very interested in these but alas I have been completely unable to find anyone that sells those damn XJ-6 LTDs in Australia let alone finding the ESP model second hand. I'm also concerned about the reverse headstock, does it mess with string tension?

Not that I've noticed. I haven't had any problems with it at all anyway!

[dubkitty]

Luna Athena. seriously, i played one and it was a screaming little mofo that sounded like an f-hole Firebird.

[Twangasaurus]

Luna Athena. seriously, i played one and it was a screaming little mofo that sounded like an f-hole Firebird.

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Man, I haven't even thought about Luna guitars in about two years. Thanks for the reminder, that looks pretty sweet. Never really owned a hollowbody before though and I'm going to be playing with a fair amount of gain, do I have to worry much about feedback?

[dubkitty]

oh, it'd probably holler a bit.

[ryan summit]

that vox i wanted
fits mini humbuckers
the sdc line
the lower end ones sdc22
come with mini humbuckers
i think the lp shape is ssc
they were cheap a month ago
now theyre $400-800