Anyone like the strat bridge pickup by itself with the "stock" wiring?

Andrew Lamprecht

Andrew Lamprecht

Minion of One
Playing a bunch of strats lately and I was wondering if anyone liked the strat bridge pickup by itself? I used a jamman by digitech and recorded a little rhythm part and used the bridge pickup to solo over it. I really liked the singing nature of the pickup and it just jumped in front of the rhythm beautifully. I can only imagine it would be better in a full band mix but I know they are generally not liked. At least that is what it seems like. I've tried a few different sets of strat pups and never liked one that was not overwound (in the bridge). In the lower output sets I have liked (69s and SSL1s), I never really used the bridge pickup, this is the first time really trying to get a good tone from it and it was pretty easy. I like it a lot... I think. :)
 
Re: Anyone like the strat bridge pickup by itself with the "stock" wiring?

I go back and fourth...

Ran with no tone control for a long time then re wired it with a tone control, then back to stock...I'm back with the tone control right now but end keeping it at or near full so I might take it back to stock next string change!
 
Re: Anyone like the strat bridge pickup by itself with the "stock" wiring?

i like it wired via the tone even if the tone is on 10.
 
Re: Anyone like the strat bridge pickup by itself with the "stock" wiring?

I finally wired up one of my strats with a bridge tone control and really like it. I roll it back to about 7-8 and for me that works well. When I'm changing pickups I go ahead and make this change to the wiring. This is especially good on some sets that can get ice picky in the bridge. I also rewire them so that the bridge tone is in the position where the neck tone usually is b/c I use the bridge tone control more than the neck one.
 
Re: Anyone like the strat bridge pickup by itself with the "stock" wiring?

I split the difference. The bridge pickup runs to a No-Load tone pot.

Before I changed it, the bridge pickup on my Fender AVRI '62 made a bright wiry sound with plenty of "sprang" and no great depth. Kinda like a Fender Jaguar only with fewer metallic overtones. This is not a sound that I need very often. I have a Seymourised CIJ Jaguar set aside for those occasions.
 
Re: Anyone like the strat bridge pickup by itself with the "stock" wiring?

I like the loading a 250K tone control on 10 puts on the bridge pickup - takes that edge off.
 
Re: Anyone like the strat bridge pickup by itself with the "stock" wiring?

For me it depends on the individual guitar and/or bridge pickup. I have had them both ways. No pref as long as I am getting what I need out of the bridge pup.
 
Re: Anyone like the strat bridge pickup by itself with the "stock" wiring?

I Like a beefier bridge pickup like the Twangbanger,SSL5 and I have to have tone control on that pickup!
 
Re: Anyone like the strat bridge pickup by itself with the "stock" wiring?

Is it usable? Sure, what isn't?

Do I prefer it? Nahhh not by a long shot...

Stock strat bridge pickup is usually way too thin for me... i know how to force it to do what i need it to but i prefer a more muscular bridge pickup... I have a Phat Cat in my Strat's bridge right now with the tone knob.
 
Re: Anyone like the strat bridge pickup by itself with the "stock" wiring?

No load pot. one of the best strat mods ever.

Most of the time I keep the pot engaged and on about 8 but that's mostly for my rig. darker, muddier, and/or really overdriven amps get the no-load setting.

If I had to choose one or the other, I'd definitely wire the 2nd tone control to the bridge and middle pickups. It's just too bright and thin to balance with the neck pickup.

I think the secret weapon here is the middle pickup. EQing for the neck pickup will often make the bridge pickup too shrill with no tone control. But EQing for the middle pickup balances a little better but you have to actually like the sound of the middle pickup. I like it alot and think it might be somewhat underrated.
 
Re: Anyone like the strat bridge pickup by itself with the "stock" wiring?

This right here.

I usually need something with a lil more power a lil more full sounding.
 
Re: Anyone like the strat bridge pickup by itself with the "stock" wiring?

My blues friends with SSS Strats don't use their bridge PU's.
 
Re: Anyone like the strat bridge pickup by itself with the "stock" wiring?

I use the bridge pickup quite often. But...I play the various G&L Strat bodied guitars that feature the Leo Fender-designed PTB control system, and it gives me global control over the bass and treble in all switch positions. I think the PTB works even better with the hotter pickups in the Comanche, S-500 and Legacy Special. A much better system than the stock wiring...you can go from fat to twangy with just a slight adjustment.

Bill
 
Re: Anyone like the strat bridge pickup by itself with the "stock" wiring?

My only strat right now with true SSS is that way so I can use the notch position between the bridge and middle pups to play Sultans of Swing with. EC's live version of Cocain is also the notch position with a touch more power tube dirt in the amp. I def use the tone control on the bridge PU. I also like the middle PU by itself with no tone control for certain things.

On edit: All my other strats have HBers in the bridge position, so that tells you how useful I find a tru bridge strat SC by itself.
 
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Re: Anyone like the strat bridge pickup by itself with the "stock" wiring?

For me, the tone control on the bridge is a must.
 
Re: Anyone like the strat bridge pickup by itself with the "stock" wiring?

My '98 American Standard has a no-load pot where there is an indent at position 10 that actually take the pot out of the circuit. It's nice to have a tone control on the bridge to get more tonal range from the pick-up. I slightly lower the bass side of the pick-up so it doesn't sound too harsh. On my other strats, there's no tone control on the bridge, so the volume knob in a way becomes my tone control. Lowering the volume can soften the sound up a bit.
 

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