Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • "She knew what she'd created": Back to Black
  • Trower's '80s supergroup
  • Music theory tricks
  • Stage Tour game
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Guitars

Splurge, save, steal: triple-humbucker guitars

News
By Total Guitar
Published 18 June 2014

When two humbuckers aren't enough

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Splurge: Gibson SG Deluxe

Splurge: Gibson SG Deluxe

The Gibson SG is well known for its almighty rock tones, and adding a third humbucker to the mix serves only to reinforce its credentials.

A cunningly concealed TogPot allows you to blend the middle pickup with the neck and bridge pups, while a Bigsby vibrato gives you all the wobble you want.

Read full Gibson SG Deluxe review

4.5 out of 5

Page 1 of 3
Page 1 of 3
Save: Fret-King Blue Label Ventura 60 HB3

Save: Fret-King Blue Label Ventura 60 HB3

As if having three pickups wasn't avant-garde enough, Trevor Wilkinson's creation has one of the most unusual bodies we've seen in recent years.

Although the design is wacky, the sounds are classic, thanks to the trio of PAF-style double-coils; which can also provide single-coil sounds with a twist of Fret-King's Vari-coil control.

Page 2 of 3
Page 2 of 3
Steal: Squier Deluxe Hot Rails Strat

Steal: Squier Deluxe Hot Rails Strat

What the HHHell? Before you start penning angry emails, we'll point you towards this Strat's cunningly disguised trio of single-coil-sized, Duncan Designed HR-101 Hot Rails humbuckers, which boast a huge output for endless sustain, not to mention bountiful tones courtesy of the five-way pickup selector.

Page 3 of 3
Page 3 of 3
Total Guitar
Total Guitar
Social Links Navigation

Total Guitar is Europe's best-selling guitar magazine.

Every month we feature interviews with the biggest names and hottest new acts in guitar land, plus Guest Lessons from the stars.

Finally, our Rocked & Rated section is the place to go for reviews, round-ups and help setting up your guitars and gear.

Subscribe: http://bit.ly/totalguitar

Read more
Harley Benton ST-62LA MN BK
Electric Guitars “Makes you realise just how good budget guitars have become”: Harley Benton ST-62LA review
 
 
Harley Benton Fusion-T II HH RW HT in Purple Metallic finish with gold hardware. Shot on white surface.
Electric Guitars “This is a difficult guitar to put a review score on”: Harley Benton Fusion-T II HH RW HT PM review
 
 
Harley Benton Fusion-T II: these humbucker-loaded T-styles are packed with features and are offered with myriad hardware, pickups and finish options
Guitars Harley Benton throws a big ol' T party and you are all invited, as it debuts the Fusion-T II series
 
 
Harley Benton SC-Special Hybrid
Guitars Harley Benton’s new $195 single-cuts have got a touch of the Nik Huber boutique vibe about them
 
 
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up June 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s epic guitar gear round-up: June ’26 edit, ft. EHX, PRS, Fender’s mega-launch and more
 
 
MusicRadar monthly guitar gear roundup, ft. Lzzy Hale's signature Epiphone Explorer Custom, plus new gear from Hotone, Gibson, JHS Pedals, Death By Audio and more
Guitars “His effects are bonkers in the best way possible”: The MusicRadar guitar gear roundup Aug 2026 edit
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Johnny Marr and Noel Gallagher
Guitars “It’s the only guitar that I’ve ever had stolen, and the neck was like a ’50s Les Paul. It was amazing”
 
 
Gretsch Electromatic Limited Edition Black Limba Jet and CVT
Guitars Gretsch’s play for hard-riffing rock players continues with the “exotic” black limba Jet and CVT
 
 
Blues legend Buddy Guy plays the 2023 Savanah Music Festival
Artists Buddy Guy at 90 – how the world’s greatest living bluesman transformed guitar
 
 
Queens Of The Stone Age pictured in 2026
Artists How QOTSA found their album centrepiece at 2am, a “little drunk” and ready to go home
 
 
Telstar Standard ST14 12-String review
Electric Guitars "Superb playability, a versatile sound set, and pretty unbeatable value": Shergold Telstar Standard ST14 12-String review
 
 
Lemmy in trademark mic action
Bass Guitars “Experience the gear that created their unmistakable sound”: Motorhead exhibition set to open with interactive element
 
 
Latest in News
Liam and Noel Gallagher
Gigs & Festivals “Come witness the fitness. It shall be a sight to behold”: Oasis confirm live dates for next year
 
 
Richard Jupp of Elbow performs at Day 1 of Pinkpop Festival at Megaland on June 12, 2015
Drummers “It meant stepping away from an identity": Richard Jupp on why he quit Elbow for sobriety
 
 
US rapper, singer, dancer and DJ, Benjamin Haggerty, known as Macklemore, performs at the Goldencoast Rap Festival in Corcelles-les-Monts, near Dijon, central-eastern France, on August 30, 2026
Gigs & Festivals “My message is for peace”: Pink, Joe Bonamassa and Foo Fighters are all drawn into Macklemore kerfuffle
 
 
Johnny Marr and Noel Gallagher
Guitars “It’s the only guitar that I’ve ever had stolen, and the neck was like a ’50s Les Paul. It was amazing”
 
 
Cartoon man with moustache singing
Singers & Songwriters “Meatloaf dippers, oh so light and yummy/Go on and warm your tummy”: Listen to Bon Iver's maddeningly catchy ad jingle
 
 
Tony Iommi sitting at a table
Guitarists “I didn't like the idea of: 'Now here’s another album'": Tony Iommi on Sabbath never recorded a follow up to 13
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...