I built a guitar about 25 years ago with a bridge humbucker (SD SH-1 59), middle P90 (Gibson from the 60s), and neck single coil (DiMarzio DP 119 Class of 55). I am redoing my build because the middle position P90 has always been awkward (great pickup, but not good in-between the HB and SC).
So, I am looking at going to H-S-S with the 59 in the bridge and trying to figure what to do in mid and neck keeping a vintage theme.
Br_____Mid_______Neck
59_____SSL2___Class of 55
59___Class of 55___SSL2
59_____SSL2______SSL2
Something else??? Like Guitar Fetish in the middle maybe? I am trying to keep this rebuild on a budget. I guess my biggest question comes down to whether the Class of 55 or the SSL-2 is a better neck PU…. And, of course that is subjective…. Also, I may try to flatten the staggered rods of the class of 55 a little (so if I ruin it, then my decision is partly made for me I guess).
My other guitar has 3 quarter pounders in it and is awesome for what it is, I want to keep a little more brightness and jangle in the one I am rebuilding (vintagey-Hendrix tones in the neck position are important). I could almost get away with no middle PU except I do play with the 2/4 positions sometimes. The guitar is a Warmoth body (alder) and neck (maple with rosewood board) with hardtail string-through bridge. The rebuild will probably have 300 K volume pot and 50s-style tone control wiring, maybe a push-pull pot or two for options on my 4-wire ’59 and/or a neck-on switch.
I originally bought the Class of 55 because of an article in a guitar magazine 25 years ago that said it was the most authentic vintage tone available (yeah, back then I believed everything I read in magazines, I am a little more skeptical now). It has treated me well in the neck position, but I have to wonder if I would like a SD there better. The Class of 55 coil measures 6 ohms. The coils are insulated from the magnets so the wires may be reversed easily. It is “north up” (unless I have this backwards… the south compass needle is attracted to the top of the PU, so it is considered “north up” or “north to strings”). I believe the magnets are Alnico, but not sure what kind.
If you got this far, thanks for reading. This is my first post here and I am looking for any thoughts/opinions/solutions/references. This forum seems to be a vast resource and often comes up when I am searching topics online. Like I said, I like the Class of 55, but I bought it just based on a review in a magazine… and I have never played a truly vintage 50s or 60s strat for comparison. I play all kinds of classic rock and also a big fan of GnR and 90s grunge and alternative.
Thanks for any help you can give!
So, I am looking at going to H-S-S with the 59 in the bridge and trying to figure what to do in mid and neck keeping a vintage theme.
Br_____Mid_______Neck
59_____SSL2___Class of 55
59___Class of 55___SSL2
59_____SSL2______SSL2
Something else??? Like Guitar Fetish in the middle maybe? I am trying to keep this rebuild on a budget. I guess my biggest question comes down to whether the Class of 55 or the SSL-2 is a better neck PU…. And, of course that is subjective…. Also, I may try to flatten the staggered rods of the class of 55 a little (so if I ruin it, then my decision is partly made for me I guess).
My other guitar has 3 quarter pounders in it and is awesome for what it is, I want to keep a little more brightness and jangle in the one I am rebuilding (vintagey-Hendrix tones in the neck position are important). I could almost get away with no middle PU except I do play with the 2/4 positions sometimes. The guitar is a Warmoth body (alder) and neck (maple with rosewood board) with hardtail string-through bridge. The rebuild will probably have 300 K volume pot and 50s-style tone control wiring, maybe a push-pull pot or two for options on my 4-wire ’59 and/or a neck-on switch.
I originally bought the Class of 55 because of an article in a guitar magazine 25 years ago that said it was the most authentic vintage tone available (yeah, back then I believed everything I read in magazines, I am a little more skeptical now). It has treated me well in the neck position, but I have to wonder if I would like a SD there better. The Class of 55 coil measures 6 ohms. The coils are insulated from the magnets so the wires may be reversed easily. It is “north up” (unless I have this backwards… the south compass needle is attracted to the top of the PU, so it is considered “north up” or “north to strings”). I believe the magnets are Alnico, but not sure what kind.
If you got this far, thanks for reading. This is my first post here and I am looking for any thoughts/opinions/solutions/references. This forum seems to be a vast resource and often comes up when I am searching topics online. Like I said, I like the Class of 55, but I bought it just based on a review in a magazine… and I have never played a truly vintage 50s or 60s strat for comparison. I play all kinds of classic rock and also a big fan of GnR and 90s grunge and alternative.
Thanks for any help you can give!
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