can my split HB be causing stratitis? (HSS)

[ruger9]

So, I've got a JB bridge (full size HB). I've got an STK7 in the neck, and an STK4 in the middle.

All the pickup positions sound fine, except one: bridge+middle. (JB is split)

The middle is set pretty low. Sounds fine on it's own. The JB is VERY close to the strings, because I like the tone there. However, I'm suspecting that when I split that JB for the #4 position, that JB single coil is too close to the strings, causing stratitis on that position only.
(FWIW, the neck pickup is higher than the middle, but it's not close to the strings, and there is no stratitis in neck+middle position.)

Am I barking up the right tree? I'll lower the JB, to see if it disappears. I know HBs (full) have less magnetic pull than single coils and do not cause stratitis, but was wondering if what I'm thinking here makes sense?

 

[Chistopher]

Re: can my split HB be causing stratitis? (HSS)

Nope, if you have issues with magnets, it occurs in all positions, not just one. What exactly is the issue you are having with the split JB?

 

[ruger9]

Re: can my split HB be causing stratitis? (HSS)

Well, I'll try to describe it the best I can. It's like excess high end... dissonance? Like a high end "scritchiness" maybe? Actually it's kinda' similar to the sound of a rattling tube maybe. The neck/middle has it a LITTLE, but that's part of the in-between tone. But on the bridge(split)+middle, it's like it's super-accentuated. It's not a smooth or pretty sound. But it's not on the JB by itself. Or the middle by itself. It's ONLY when the 2 are used together.

And I had the same thing when I had Texas Special single coils in there. I assumed it was them, thinking I had stratitis and therefore being caused by the single coil(s).
[I wanted to swap them out for other reasons tho]

 

[ruger9]

Re: can my split HB be causing stratitis? (HSS)

Maybe I just need to raise the middle to get some more warmth in there... I have it pretty low, about 1/8" above the pick guard, because I tend to hit it with the pick. By contrast, the neck is 1/4" above and the bridge is probably 3/8" above.

OR, as I first thought, just lower the JB to get LESS of that coil in there. Compromises compromises. I just figured I'd ask FIRST before messing with all the heights, to make sure this wasn't an issue that a simple height adjustment would NOT solve.

 

[Mincer]

Re: can my split HB be causing stratitis? (HSS)

I don't think that is what you are hearing. Maybe switch to a different active coil on the JB?

 

[ruger9]

Re: can my split HB be causing stratitis? (HSS)

I'm switching to the slug (inside) coil, isn't that the normal way to do it?

 

[Gtrjunior]

can my split HB be causing stratitis? (HSS)

Sounds to me like a typical bridge position single coil sound.
JMO, but I do not like a single coil bridge sound. It’s harsh and has a kind of “BLAH” tonality to it.
I have an HSS Strat with automatic coil split in position 2. The full humbucker sounds amazing but position 2 is weak and and harsh. Not a sound I typically would use.
And because you said the Texas Specials had that same tonal quality leads me to believe that, that is just the way the bridge SC sounds.

 

[ruger9]

Re: can my split HB be causing stratitis? (HSS)

Sounds to me like a typical bridge position single coil sound.
JMO, but I do not like a single coil bridge sound. It’s harsh and has a kind of “BLAH” tonality to it.
I have an HSS Strat with automatic coil split in position 2. The full humbucker sounds amazing but position 2 is weak and and harsh. Not a sound I typically would use.
And because you said the Texas Specials had that same tonal quality leads me to believe that, that is just the way the bridge SC sounds.

This is what I am thinking too. And that maybe lowering the JB will help mellow it out some. I wouldn't say it's weak, because the JB is still pretty strong even when split (and the STK4 also is pretty strong), but yes it is harsh. Especially with ANY gain added (on the clean channel, the harshness is minimized).

Sorry if this issue is elementary; I'm a tele guy, and a 2HB guy before that; this is the 1st time I've spent any real time with a strat...

 

[Tone Meister]

Re: can my split HB be causing stratitis? (HSS)

What saddles are you using?

What you're describing to me sounds like an issue I had while using an extremely popular brand of aftermarket bridge parts. I narrowed it down to the saddles, with absolute certainty.

Just a shot in the dark.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: can my split HB be causing stratitis? (HSS)

This is what I am thinking too. And that maybe lowering the JB will help mellow it out some. I wouldn't say it's weak, because the JB is still pretty strong even when split (and the STK4 also is pretty strong), but yes it is harsh. Especially with ANY gain added (on the clean channel, the harshness is minimized).

Sorry if this issue is elementary; I'm a tele guy, and a 2HB guy before that; this is the 1st time I've spent any real time with a strat...

Not elementary at all.
I’m a Les Paul guy. When I first got my Strat and installed the pickups I was feeling the exact same way as you.
Later I played a few Strats at GC and heard similar qualities in those guitars plus I’ve read a LOT of forum posts where many people feel the Strat bridge position isn’t very usable.

 

[ruger9]

Re: can my split HB be causing stratitis? (HSS)

What saddles are you using?

What you're describing to me sounds like an issue I had while using an extremely popular brand of aftermarket bridge parts. I narrowed it down to the saddles, with absolute certainty.

Just a shot in the dark.

It's a Super-Vee Bladerunner. but if it was the saddles, wouldn't it happen it all positions?

 

[Mincer]

Re: can my split HB be causing stratitis? (HSS)

Oh I like the Bladerunner!
Could you possibly post a clip of you playing the same phrase through the 5 positions?

 

[Tone Meister]

Re: can my split HB be causing stratitis? (HSS)

It's a Super-Vee Bladerunner. but if it was the saddles, wouldn't it happen it all positions?

Yeah, it most likely would, somehow I missed that detail. Plus I've never known those bridges to impart any gnarl like I was describing.

Is all the wiring solid, no capacitors legs touching ground where they shouldn't be? No microscopic solder bridges at the switch? No stray wire strands touching somewhere they shouldn't be? If you're sure the wiring is clean then disregard.

 

[ruger9]

Re: can my split HB be causing stratitis? (HSS)

Yeah, it most likely would, somehow I missed that detail. Plus I've never known those bridges to impart any gnarl like I was describing.

Is all the wiring solid, no capacitors legs touching ground where they shouldn't be? No microscopic solder bridges at the switch? No stray wire strands touching somewhere they shouldn't be? If you're sure the wiring is clean then disregard.

Well, next time I change strings, I'll surely investigate that. But... when I switched out the neck and middle Texas Specials for STKs, I also switched out the stock 250K tone pots for 250K no-loads, which I thought might be helpful for the STKs, especially the STK7 in the neck. So the middle pup is new, the tone pot on that pup is new, the only 2 variables that remain the same (in position middle+bridge split) are the JB and the vol pot.

As far as a clip, lemme see what I can do... unfortunately, the best I can do is with an iphone and iRig.

 

[ruger9]

Re: can my split HB be causing stratitis? (HSS)

OK, here's a clip. A few things:

1) what I am hearing is more apparent live, in front of the amp. It's not "all" making it to the recording.
2) that being said, I think this whole thing is just me not being used to hearing that bridge/middle position much (and when I have heard it, it's usually on clean tones... I've got a little amp dirt on it), plus having it be with a split JB instead of a normal Fender bridge pickup (like STK4, which is what the middle is). PLUS, the split JB is over-taking the middle pickup a bit, because I have the middle lowered down to stay out of my way.
3) so, in the end, I think this whole thing might be "much ado about nothing", in which case, sorry LOL

https://soundcloud.com/ruger9/sounds-from-tuesday-morning-2

 

[Hank-]

Re: can my split HB be causing stratitis? (HSS)

^link didn't work for me, keeps moving to a different track but plays none.

Anyways, when the jb is split, is the screw coil/closest coil to the trem bridge being used? The problem i have had with a HSS setup is that the H in it is always a compromise if actual strat tone is needed in the (middle+bridge)/4th position. The problem seems to come from the position of the split coils of bucket not being the same as an actual slanted bridge single in that spot.

If you are using the screw coil split on the jb then a no load pot will add more brightness to it, granted strats did not have a tone control on the bridge back in the day but these days it can be a bit too much with current amps.

 

[ruger9]

Re: can my split HB be causing stratitis? (HSS)

^link didn't work for me, keeps moving to a different track but plays none.

Anyways, when the jb is split, is the screw coil/closest coil to the trem bridge being used? The problem i have had with a HSS setup is that the H in it is always a compromise if actual strat tone is needed in the (middle+bridge)/4th position. The problem seems to come from the position of the split coils of bucket not being the same as an actual slanted bridge single in that spot.

If you are using the screw coil split on the jb then a no load pot will add more brightness to it, granted strats did not have a tone control on the bridge back in the day but these days it can be a bit too much with current amps.

Hmm... I'll check the link

The JB is installed "normal", with the logo towards the bridge. Which means the slug coil is closest to the middle pickup, and the slug coil is what I am switching to. Tone 2 is on the middle pickup only, no tone on the JB.


https://soundcloud.com/ruger9/sounds-from-tuesday-morning-2

IDK why the link isn't working, it's the same as before. Of course it works for me.

 

[Tone Meister]

Re: can my split HB be causing stratitis? (HSS)

Link worked fine for me the first time

 

[Gtrjunior]

can my split HB be causing stratitis? (HSS)

Link worked for me...
Fwiw I though that sounded great in all positions. All the sounds you want out of a Strat.
I think the pickup heights need a little tweaking though. I could hear some volume differences.
But really I’m nitpicking.

 

[ruger9]

Re: can my split HB be causing stratitis? (HSS)

Link worked for me...
Fwiw I though that sounded great in all positions. All the sounds you want out of a Strat.
I think the pickup heights need a little tweaking though. I could hear some volume differences.
But really I’m nitpicking.

Agree... I've already raised the middle up a little, which improved both "combined" positions. I'll just have to get used to a middle pickup being in my way, I guess.