DiMarzio Area / Virtual Vintage Choice

[Peter Krasov]

Hi,

I'm choosing DiMarzio Area / Virtual Vintage set for Squier 2021 Affinity Strat. It has poplar body and maple/maple neck. Also, it has slmmer-than-usual body - roughly 40 mm.

1st variant, bridge to neck: Solo / Area 67 / Virtual Vintage Heavy Blues
2nd variant, bridge to neck: Virtual Vintage Blues / Area 67 / Virtual Vintage 54 Pro.

Choosing hotter-than-vintage pickups for blues-rock, soft-rock, pop, sometimes, occasionally for heavier tones.

On the one hand, extra output of Solo and Heavy Blues may benefit paired with thinner body. On the other hand, they may be overpowering, and have a "humbucker"-like tone.

Any ideas?

 

[JB_From_Hell]

I have a VV Blues in the bridge of a Squier. It does not sound like a humbucker.

 

[Mincer]

The only hotter-than-vintage Strat bridge pickup that still sounds like a Strat to me is an SSL-5 or -6. Everything else starts sounding thicker and gets away from the Stratty-ness.

 

[Peter Krasov]

The only hotter-than-vintage Strat bridge pickup that still sounds like a Strat to me is an SSL-5 or -6. Everything else starts sounding thicker and gets away from the Stratty-ness.

Have you tried Solo and Heavy Blues in particular?

 

[Hank-]

The VVs and Areas don't sound like humbuckers, even the heavy blues or area61. A full area setup can work too but I'd also consider the stuff from Duncan lineup, I'm not good with their number codes so can't suggest many but the stks4s are supposed to be good .

 

[Peter Krasov]

The VVs and Areas don't sound like humbuckers, even the heavy blues or area61. A full area setup can work too but I'd also consider the stuff from Duncan lineup, I'm not good with their number codes so can't suggest many but the stks4s are supposed to be good .

I love Duncan's Little 59 and Hot Rails, but prefer stacks from DiMarzio. But that's just me.

 

[Benjy_26]

I really like the VV Solo. Not a strat sound, but not really a humbucker tone, either. It sits somewhere in between.