Anyone reverse-angle their strat's bridge pickup?

[Benjy_26]

Hello all.

I was wondering if placing a strat's bridge pickup in a reverse angle makes a difference in sound when using a single-coil sized humbucker, or, in my case, a red lace sensor.

The guitar in question is a MIJ Floyd Rose strat, btw.

 

[Mincer]

I would assume any change in position would change the sound. I've never tried this with a single-sized humbucker, but I have with a normal single coil, and it is indeed different.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

I’ve done the same as Mincer, and agree. If you’re curious about it, it’s worth trying. Plus, it looks cool.

 

[Mincer]

I think the reverse slant is the way a stock Strat should be- it helps knock down the high end a bit.

 

[Chistopher]

I've used the Reds before. You probably wouldn't want to reverse slant it from my experience. The effect you get from reversing the of the bridge pickup is more highs on the high strings and more bass on the low strings. It's kind of subtle though, about as pronounced as reversing the angle at which you strum the strings

 

[alex1fly]

I've used the Reds before. You probably wouldn't want to reverse slant it from my experience. The effect you get from reversing the of the bridge pickup is more highs on the high strings and more bass on the low strings. It's kind of subtle though, about as pronounced as reversing the angle at which you strum the strings

I've done a reverse with an overwound single coil. It was a little bit warmer on the GBE strings and a little twangier on the EAD strings. Not a huge change, and definitely not some tonal nirvana worth routing a larger cavity. If you want to try it, do it for the price of a new pickguard.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

IThe effect you get from reversing the of the bridge pickup is more highs on the high strings and more bass on the low strings.

Do you mean the opposite of that?

 

[jeremy]

i have a handful of guitars with reverse angle bridge pup. warmer skinny strings and tighter sounding fat strings. its not a huge difference but its very noticeable and i like it with every pup ive tried

 

[Chistopher]

Do you mean the opposite of that?

Yees

 

[esandes]

Do yourself a favor and replace the pickup and keep the same positioning as Leo intended. What sound qualities are you looking for?

I have used that pickup.

 

[AlexR]

It does everything you want out of a lower output pickup.
With something thicker and hotter it might not be quite so good as you do want the bite from the top strings.....although its mainly the 2 E strings that get the most benefit/change. The pickup is barely moving for the middle 2.

 

[Benjy_26]

I've used the Reds before. You probably wouldn't want to reverse slant it from my experience. The effect you get from reversing the of the bridge pickup is more highs on the high strings and more bass on the low strings. It's kind of subtle though, about as pronounced as reversing the angle at which you strum the strings

Is the inherent voicing of the Red sensor unsuitable for positioning it in this manner?

 

[Spaghetti Bolo]

The pickup I've clocked up the most time on is a reverse slant Fender nocaster bridge. I thought it felt better to play and it does sound different. I can't say it sounds better.

My current thought however, is that no angle might be the best. Reverse slant maybe thins out the low E just a little too much. Leo Fender himself dropped the slanted concept with the Jazzmaster/Jaguar/Bass VI/Jazzbass etc.

I remember that the custom shop used to make a single sized humbucking Tele pickup for Billy Gibbons that was installed in a custom straight slotted tele bridge.

Another concept that I will try soon is to keep the reverse slant but move the pickup further away from the bridge to fatten up the low E and further soften the plain strings just for experiments sake.

 

[Gtrjunior]

I think the reverse slant is the way a stock Strat should be- it helps knock down the high end a bit.

I’ve often wondered why it wasn’t angled that way from the start. It makes sense to me….

 

[ErikH]

I’ve often wondered why it wasn’t angled that way from the start. It makes sense to me….

Back in the 50's, in order to cut through, it had to be that way to be heard. Everything electric guitar was so new that Leo engineered it to work in the situations of the time.

I've thought about having a pickguard made for my Squier Classic Vibe with the reverse slant bridge. I don't want to have to drill holes on it though. I'd rather it be a drop in replacement. But at the same time I like how it looks and plays now so I'm going to leave it as-is.

 

[Chistopher]

Is the inherent voicing of the Red sensor unsuitable for positioning it in this manner?

From my experience, yeah. The Red already has less high end and more bass then a normal single coil, closer too a P90 if you ask me. If you're current setup is too bright or thin, or you feel there is too much difference in EQ or volume between the strings, I'd say give it a try.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Back in the 50's, in order to cut through, it had to be that way to be heard. Everything electric guitar was so new that Leo engineered it to work in the situations of the time.

I've thought about having a pickguard made for my Squier Classic Vibe with the reverse slant bridge. I don't want to have to drill holes on it though. I'd rather it be a drop in replacement. But at the same time I like how it looks and plays now so I'm going to leave it as-is.

Warmoth makes great custom pickguards. I had one made for my Strat but not in the reverse configuration. Mine is an HSS.

 

[Synapsys]

Charvel does this. Other colors areblue and black, but I love this gold one.

 

[Benjy_26]

Charvel does this. Other colors areblue and black, but I love this gold one.

That looks NICE.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

The only gripe I have about my PRS 305 is it doesn’t have a pickguard, so I can’t try this.