Custom 5 TB-14 / Single Coil matching

[MaxSG64]

Hi guys,
I'm new at the forum!
I would like some advice on which SD singlecoil pickup to match with my SD Custom 5 TB-14 (splittable).
The guitar is a Strato Style with basswood body and maple neck and I would like to keep the typical Stratocaster sound, at least in positions 3-4-5
I'm evaluating a pair of SSL-3 with tapping feature, what do you think about?
Here is a photo of my guitar.
Thanks to anyone who can help me.

 

[jeremy]

500k pots? i would use the ssl6 in the middle and neck. i like the way it sounds with 500k pots and will keep up output wise with the tb14 fairly well. tapped if you wanted but not sure id bother. the ssl3 is nice as a bridge pup but im not a huge fan in the neck. its more middy than the ssl6 with a bit more output

 

[hamerfan]

If you don't split the TB, I'd say cool rail.

 

[jeremy]

i assumed you wanted and actual single coil, is that true or are you ok with anything single coil size?

 

[IMENATOR]

I was surprised to read this blog about the STK-S7 in the neck can handle the output of a Custom TB-5, if that is correct I would think this could be an option for you as you said you want to keep a Strat sound as this model is meant to be in the vintage tone ballpark.

https://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/latest-updates/unlock-new-tones-with-these-hss-pickups

I have not used the STK-S7 but it sounds fine for my personal taste in these two demos

With a TB-6 in the bridge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQU9_Y58uLg

With a Seth Lover in the bridge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdGoFq6yKjk

 

[MaxSG64]

Thanks to everyone for the advice.
to Jeremy: what alternative to single coils are you thinking about ?

 

[Mincer]

I had a Custom 5 matched with 2 Classic Stacks, and that worked really well. I did use 500k pots for that setup. There was a little bit of a volume boost when switching to the C5, but not a giant one. The EQ was really well matched.

 

[IMENATOR]

The universe listened to your question here a demo of an HSS with Custome 5

 

[donaldr]

I was surprised to read this blog about the STK-S7 in the neck can handle the output of a Custom TB-5, if that is correct I would think this could be an option for you as you said you want to keep a Strat sound as this model is meant to be in the vintage tone ballpark.

https://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/latest-updates/unlock-new-tones-with-these-hss-pickups

I have not read the thread but I had a STK-S7 in the neck overpowering my Screamin Demon in the bridge.
I don't have experience with the Custom 5, so I cannot propose a matching single-coil. More experienced users here than me.
My experience with SD single-coils are limited to the STK-S4 (neck) and the STK-S7 (neck/bridge).

 

[IMENATOR]

I have not read the thread but I had a STK-S7 in the neck overpowering my Screamin Demon in the bridge.
I don't have experience with the Custom 5, so I cannot propose a matching single-coil. More experienced users here than me.
My experience with SD single-coils are limited to the STK-S4 (neck) and the STK-S7 (neck/bridge).

I had not read the post by Mincer until now. Also in the video the Custom 5 balanced will with SSL-1 so maybe the STK-S7 could be too loud. But then if he is in the USA he can use the 21 days policy to use a different one if the first one does not balance well.

 

[MaxSG64]

I had a Custom 5 matched with 2 Classic Stacks, and that worked really well. I did use 500k pots for that setup. There was a little bit of a volume boost when switching to the C5, but not a giant one. The EQ was really well matched.

What do you mean with "Classic Stacks". SSL-1 ?

 

[playas]

Stk-s4

 

[MaxSG64]

Thanks, I'll let you know what I do and my opinions.

 

[Synapsys]

I went C5/ Lil59 on this on this one. The neck has series / parallel wiring. Matched with no issues, volume and tone wise.

 

[MaxSG64]

Hello everyone, I finally decided and installed: Custom 5 Trembucker TB-14 and Classic Stack Plus for Strat STK-S4n and STK-S4m. I replaced the switch with the Free-way Blade Switch 5B5-01, volume pot 500k and tone pot 250k with 22 nF capacitor. I also added a dpdt microswitch to use the STK-S4 coil-splitting feature. I think I have found an excellent balance and although the guitar is certainly not the best, the sounds are really pleasant in all 10 combinations allowed by the switch. The micro dpdt also adds further variations to the already wide choice of sounds.

 

[jeremy]

glad you got it all together! enjoy

 

[Mincer]

Hello everyone, I finally decided and installed: Custom 5 Trembucker TB-14 and Classic Stack Plus for Strat STK-S4n and STK-S4m. I replaced the switch with the Free-way Blade Switch 5B5-01, volume pot 500k and tone pot 250k with 22 nF capacitor. I also added a dpdt microswitch to use the STK-S4 coil-splitting feature. I think I have found an excellent balance and although the guitar is certainly not the best, the sounds are really pleasant in all 10 combinations allowed by the switch. The micro dpdt also adds further variations to the already wide choice of sounds.

Happy this worked out. Those Classic Stacks are wonderful pickups, and really get a nice clear sound without any hum at all.