[Mr. Aguia]

Want to replace the single coil in my '87 Ibanez 550. When I use the middle pickup I use it split quite a bit so I want something that splits well. I have a couple of the VV Heavy Blues 2 & I love them but I hate getting the same pickup. Kind of defeats the purpose of having multiple guitars. Needs to be high enough output to partner with the humbuckers. I don't like the glassy really bright typical single coils. Thoughts?

[daenius]

Never tried the VV blues but I have the VV 54s. They have a very sweet top end and not too trebly, but definitely has that classic single coil sound. I run them in the neck and bridge, and I have an Area 58 in the middle.

[KH Guitar Freak]

Maybe try the Injectors?

[slugworth]

Want to replace the single coil in my '87 Ibanez 550. When I use the middle pickup I use it split quite a bit so I want something that splits well. I have a couple of the VV Heavy Blues 2 & I love them but I hate getting the same pickup. Kind of defeats the purpose of having multiple guitars. Needs to be high enough output to partner with the humbuckers. I don't like the glassy really bright typical single coils. Thoughts?

Both of them are warm. With 500k pots, the 54 will sound about as bright as a typical single coil would with 250k pots. The Blues is probably the warmest single that still sounds like a single. Based on what you said, I would recommend the Blues. It should have enough output -- I think the Heavy Blues could be overkill and maybe too dark, but YMMV.