Bridge Humbucker for a Strat that's too Bright?

S

Steve R.

New member
I have an Alder-bodied strat with a maple/pau ferro neck and an Original Floyd Rose bridge. It has a very focused midrange and I need to tame the upper mids on this thing. The Custom 5 is perhaps a bit too scooped, leaving a harsh upper mid that is fatiguing to listen to. JB has too much honk in this guitar. I need something that is going to soften the upper mid response, sound less brittle, and would balance well with a cool rails in the neck position. (JB and C5 are a bit too hot.) The Cool Rails sounds fine in the guitar. I need a bridge pickup that will compliment it's tone.

Any suggestions? I was wondering about an AlNico 2 pickup (Pearly Gates or CC?), or maybe a '59 Trembucker...

Thanks Guys.
 
Re: Bridge Humbucker for a Strat that's too Bright?

Falloffthebonetone said:
Custom custom totally. Great split tone with that one too.
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Yep, Custom Custom all the way! A tad less heat than the C5 and less "honk" than the JB with enough output and attitude to keep up with your Cool Rails. I just posted a brand new one for sale in the Trading Post, if you're interested! See here: LINK


This is straight from Duncan's description:

"The Custom Custom is our SH-5 Duncan Custom humbucker with an Alnico II magnet for warm and smooth highs, more midrange, and a spongier bottom end than the SH-5. It's a good choice for players who need a traditional vintage tone with increased output...For brighter toned instruments."
 
Re: Bridge Humbucker for a Strat that's too Bright?

1) SD Pearly Gates Plus. Available only via Fender and only in white.

2) SD Allan Holdsworth model. Failing that, JB2 (JB pickup with AlNiCo II magnet inserted of A5).


EDIT - You could simply change the Custom Five's magnet to A2 or A4.
 
Re: Bridge Humbucker for a Strat that's too Bright?

It depends on whether you want to place some treble above those annoying high mids or not. If yes, the PG. If not the CC. Of course you are screwed if the PG happens to add to the mess, if it's sizzle isn't high enough.
 
Re: Bridge Humbucker for a Strat that's too Bright?

Thanks, guys.
I'm leaning towards the Custom Custom, but isn't that still a pretty hot pickup? Would it balance well with a Cool Rails?

The Holdsworth pickup... isn't that like a JB2 with double rows of screws? so a bit less bite than a JB2. (I'm not quite sure how a JB2 would sound compared to the Custom Custom...)

Cheers.
 
Re: Bridge Humbucker for a Strat that's too Bright?

Funkfingers said:
1) SD Pearly Gates Plus. Available only via Fender and only in white.

2) SD Allan Holdsworth model. Failing that, JB2 (JB pickup with AlNiCo II magnet inserted of A5).


EDIT - You could simply change the Custom Five's magnet to A2 or A4.
Click to expand...


The Pearly Gates Plus is a GREAT pickup, but brighter/thinner than the Custom 5, the JB and, in some guitars, even the original Pearly Gates...so, I strongly doubt that's what he wants. Plus, he's clearly not digging the A5 thing.

The Holdsworth is nice, but is a Custom Shop model, which means big $$$.

---

The suggestion to simply swap an Alnico II magnet into either the Custom 5 or the JB is a good one and definitely the most cost-effective.

However, if mag-swapping isn't your thing, the Custom Custom will give you what you need in a standard production model at a reasonable price. The A2 mag of the Custom Custom fills in the midrange, smooths the highs and lowers the "heat" a bit from the Custom 5.

The PATB-3 recommended above is also a good pickup if you want a more vintage feel, but is the brightest of the Parallel Axis models and the look isn't for everyone.

Shameless Plug: I happen to have a brand new Custom Custom AND a brand new PATB-3 for sale in the Trading Post. :)
 
Re: Bridge Humbucker for a Strat that's too Bright?

Steve R. said:
Thanks, guys.
I'm leaning towards the Custom Custom, but isn't that still a pretty hot pickup? Would it balance well with a Cool Rails?

The Holdsworth pickup... isn't that like a JB2 with double rows of screws? so a bit less bite than a JB2. (I'm not quite sure how a JB2 would sound compared to the Custom Custom...)

Cheers.
Click to expand...

In this guitar I've got a Custom Custom, a Texas Special bridge (in the middle), and a real Fender Greybottom in the neck. They balance pretty well with nothing more than height adjustments.

wally.jpg
 
Re: Bridge Humbucker for a Strat that's too Bright?

I built a Warmoth Strat alder body with maple neck and ebony fret board. I used True Velvets in the neck and middle and a P-rails in the bridge. I tapped to the rail for the 2 position. Works great - the "rail" of the P-rail sounds like a great Strat single coil (which it is), and with the switch in 1 the P-rail sounds like a slightly heavy Strat single coil (but is noise cancels). I recommended this setup on HC and have had positive feedback. So if you are looking for Strat tones, try the P-rail in the bridge.

BUT now I'd like the bridge to be a little heavier, so now I'm considering the CC in the bridge. In this guitar, anyone want to comment on either the CC or JB for heavier tones (not metal, but hard rock)? I would split the bridge for the 2 position, so that needs to be considered for the CC or JB.
Thanks.
 
Re: Bridge Humbucker for a Strat that's too Bright?

Dim Norton

.02

edit:
DiM Super III is good,as well
 
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Re: Bridge Humbucker for a Strat that's too Bright?

A CC would be nice. Or even a DiMarzio Tone Zone or Norton.
 
Re: Bridge Humbucker for a Strat that's too Bright?

I know it might be a bit hot for what you are looking for but I have a P-Rail in my Strat and it sounds amazing in the humbucking position. I tend to use the HB more than the P90
 
Re: Bridge Humbucker for a Strat that's too Bright?

Securb said:
I know it might be a bit hot for what you are looking for but I have a P-Rail in my Strat and it sounds amazing in the humbucking position. I tend to use the HB more than the P90
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I wish someone could give me a comparison of a p-rail vs a CC in a Strat bridge, please?
 
Re: Bridge Humbucker for a Strat that's too Bright?

Upon reading your original post, the first thing I thought was Custom Custom and I still think so. The DiMarzio Norton was a good suggestion too, I just sold an alder Strat with one in it. To my ears the Norton has a little more bite than the CC. Personally I like the CC a little better but both are great.
 
Re: Bridge Humbucker for a Strat that's too Bright?

Thanks, guys.

Yeah, this guitar has plenty of bite already. And plenty of clarity. What it needs is more warmth so it won't sound so icepicky (if that's a word).

Still leaning toward the Custom Custom.

Cheers.


Edit: BTW - tried the Tone zone before, and while is sounded good tone-wise, it was too hot for my tastes.
 
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