Bridge Pickup Options for a Strat

[Butch Snyder]

Let's say you have a Stratocaster. It's a classic, regular, traditional, etc. Strat. SSS pickup configuration. All is great, but the bridge pickup is too thin. You want to fatten it up, beef it up so it's usable and sounds good. What would you do. Here are three options to choose from:

 

[Chistopher]

The problem with putting a humbucker in the bridge of a Strat is I will stop using it as a Strat. The charms of 3 single coils is that it forces you to think about what position you are in, and it changes with gain.

When I use an HSS I tend to change my philosophy so that I end up using the humbucker for everything except really low gain and clean playing

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I would go for a humbucker because I like HB's way better distorted. If you get one that's vintage output and bright enough, I don't think the balance will be an issue.

That being said, I wouldn't say no to a Quarter Pound in the bridge either.

 

[Mincer]

If you have other humbucker guitars, just get a fatter pickup. I like all noiseless, but an SSL-6 or QP is a fine choice in the bridge.

 

[Butch Snyder]

The problem with putting a humbucker in the bridge of a Strat is I will stop using it as a Strat. The charms of 3 single coils is that it forces you to think about what position you are in, and it changes with gain.

When I use an HSS I tend to change my philosophy so that I end up using the humbucker for everything except really low gain and clean playing

Interesting perspective for sure.

 

[jeremy]

id probably go for a fatter single coil, or a stack+ model

 

[Sam SG]

I allways liked a DiMarzio FS1 in the bridge. Its pretty hot single coil strat pup.

 

[jeremy]

i like the fs1 too. had one since the 90s, but its not in a guitar at the moment

 

[freefrog]

I'd start with something that I periodically evoke for ages, although it's almost systematically ignored.

He uses a 2.7nF component. I use a lower value than this in my main strat (1nF, mounted on the 1M part of a TBX pot). Both give sounds also accessible through long and/or coily cables as used by Strat heroes of the past (Hendrix, Buddy Guy, SRV, Uli Roth...), although these long flexible tubular capacitors named cables are much more cumbersome.

 

[nienturi]

Humbuckers are for that job

 

[playas]

I'd start with something that I periodically evoke for ages, although it's almost systematically ignored.

He uses a 2.7nF component. I use a lower value than this in my main strat (1nF, mounted on the 1M part of a TBX pot). Both give sounds also accessible through long and/or coily cables as used by Strat heroes of the past (Hendrix, Buddy Guy, SRV, Uli Roth...), although these long flexible tubular capacitors named cables are much more cumbersome.

Just so as you know I have this mod earmarked for one of my guitars. I have plenty of other work to do on it first... but I will eventually get to it.

 

[Juanhanglo]

I'd add a Clapton circuit, as well as a fatter steel pole single coil

 

[jeremy]

i do like the clapton circuit a lot. my favorite set of pups with that is classic stack+ neck and middle with a vintage hot stack+ bridge.

having said that, its not for everyone

 

[esandes]

I'd try a hot bridge single coil like the Dave Gilmour SD before going the HSS route.

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