Stratocaster Pickups · Dual-coil single coil
Smoke Stack II
Two true single-coil voices in a single Strat™-sized pickup — the standard Pig Iron wind on Coil 1, plus the extra poke of the overwound version on Coils 1+2. Switch on the fly, keep your guitar looking stock.
Dual Single Coil for Stratocaster™
The Smoke Stack II features dual coil pickups for bridge, middle and neck positions. This pickup provides maximum flexibility by combining the Pig Iron standard pickup with the extra poke of the overwound version — all in one pickup that preserves the classic looks of your guitar.
The Smoke Stack II's two separate coils can be easily managed with standard switched pots, and having the extra boost of the overwound coil at your fingertips is truly exhilarating. It really pushes the boundaries, with twin coils giving the choice of traditional Strat™ tones and, with the secondary coil, a hot-rod to be reckoned with.
Note that this is not a humbucker or a “noiseless” pickup. It's a true single coil in both low and high output modes, and sounds like a traditional Strat™ pickup in either mode.
The Smoke Stack II is available with Black, White, Parchment or Cream covers.
Soundclips
Twelve soundclips — clean and dirty in every position, with Coil 1 only and with Coils 1+2 engaged.
Coil 1 (standard wind)
Coils 1+2 (overwound)
Specifications
| Format | Dual single coil for Stratocaster™ |
|---|---|
| DC resistance (Coil 1) | Bridge 9.0 kΩ · Middle (RW/RP) 7.04 kΩ · Neck 7.36 kΩ |
| DC resistance (Coils 1+2) | Bridge 18.8 kΩ · Middle (RW/RP) 11.79 kΩ · Neck 12.47 kΩ |
| Magnet | AlNiCo V |
| Coil wire | 42 / 43 AWG enamel |
| Conductors | 3-conductor |
| Pole spacing | Bridge 52 mm · Middle 52 mm · Neck 50 mm |
| Baseplate | Custom etched fibre |
| Dimensions | 84 mm L × 23 mm W × 17 mm H (incl. base) |
| Cover options | Black, White, Parchment or Cream |
| Recommended components | 500 kΩ pots, 0.047µF tone capacitor(s) |
| Included | Screws and springs |
| Applications | Everything from Hank to Hendrix — plus a hot-rod second voice on tap |
How the two coils work. Coil 1 alone gives you the classic Pig Iron single-coil voice. Engage Coil 2 in series for the overwound voice — more output, more drive, still a true single coil (not a humbucker, not noiseless). Use a push-pull pot or mini-switch to flip between them on the fly.
What customers are saying
Five unedited reviews from real Smoke Stack II owners.
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Last week I ordered a Smoke Stack II (neck) from you, out of curiosity more than anything. It arrived the next day — awesome! — and I fitted it straight away. WHAT A PICKUP! I was floored by the sound of this thing. I had a slight out-of-phase issue but this was quickly rectified. I've only really used Seymour Duncan, DiMarzio and Bare Knuckles in the past but they've all gone out of the window now. I'll be recommending them to my customers here on the IOW from now on, which hopefully means I'll be buying a lot more of them. Amazing pickup, amazing service, STUNNING price.
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Just a quick email to say how nice the Smoke Stack 2 is. I've fitted it in place of the neck humbucker on my Yamaha RGX620 and it gives me just the sound I was after. With both coils on it easily keeps up with the overwound bridge humbucker (full and fat, but with more top-end definition than any humbucker I've heard in that spot, more P90-ish, but not overly middly); push the tone pot coil tap and I'm straight back into Fender mode. Also, great service from Axetec, superfast delivery and kept up to date with the order progress.
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Just received my IronGear Smoke Stack II Strat pickup — must say I'm very pleased with this, it does everything it says on the box. I would recommend it to anyone. Superb!
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After deciding I should upgrade some items in my rehearsal room, I thought of replacing the pickups in a Vintage signature series Thomas Blug Strat with tappable single-coil-sized humbuckers. I looked at the Seymour Duncan everything-axe (preloaded scratch plate) but at £270 couldn't justify the expense. On the IronGear website I found a very helpful page describing all I would need to buy in order to build my own plate loaded with Smoke Stack IIs, plus a wiring diagram that — with minimal soldering capabilities — was a breeze to build. Final cost: £100. I won't bother with any sonic descriptions because the website describes them very accurately, I'll just say it's been the best £100 I've invested in gear in a 35-year career.
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Hello there, I've decided to drop you a line about your extraordinary Smoke Stack II pups I've bought in order to change all stocks on my Strat. Also added three switched pots plus a neck/bridge mod. Now sounds like a real guitar should sound! Your pickups are great and worth every penny spent. In future I will buy again from you. Thanks for all. Ciao.