DiMarzio Fast Track 1 vs VV Heavy Blues / Solo Pro

[Peter Krasov]

Hi,

I'm looking for a new bridge pickups on my Strat. Basically I want to preserve stratty sound, but add some extras:
- Noiseless
- Warmer
- Hotter
- Smoother.

I guess that Fast Track 1 might be one of the best choices for my purposes. But I have never tried it. The Crusier seems to be pretty low output, the Chopper is on the hotter side, so I consider Fast Track 1 to be the best of both worlds. Want to know your experience with this pickup in the bridge position.

Also I'm wondering how does the FT1 compare to hot humcancelling pickups like Virtual Vintage Heavy Blues and Solo Pro.

 

[Artie]

The Duncan STK series fit those criteria pretty good. I use the STK-6b/4m/4n set. Works & sounds great.

 

[donaldr]

I'm using the STK-S7 in a Strat copy and I personally think it's the perfect companion to STK-S4 (equivalent to real single-coils SSL-1/2) neck/middle. Still Strat sounding but with just enough meat around the bone, like a good continuity sound wise and output wise from the neck pickup. I have my 2nd tone knob wired to the bridge pickup, so I can turn it down a bit, kick in the boost pedal and rock-on!!! I can play anything with the STK-S7, from blues to '80s hard rock, and I like that it's staying clear even with a lot of distortion.

If the STK-S7 is not enough for you, as ArtieToo said, there's the STK-S6.

 

[Aceman]

I am using a Fast Track 2 with a split for what you describe and love it.

And yeah - Chopper will lose the Strat vibe. But I do love me some Chopper in all three spots. Goes great with a full size loud Bridge Humbucker.

 

[strat dude]

I have never had a fast track but I have had a few Dimarzio’s and my fave is the Injector. I have a STK S9 which is closer to a humbucker that a single, still a cool pickup though. Also a STK s 7 which is a great bridge pickup. But my fave is the YJM by far.

 

[Teleplayer]

I think either Dunan STK-S7 or Dimarzio Fast Track 1 will do what you want. I think they are similar, or at least in same ball park. The Fast Track is very sensitive to the height adjustment. It can be single coil like, but also have mids like a very bright humbucker if you bring it close the the strings. For either of these pickups if you want them to be more like a single coil you can disconnect the bridge tone control, or maybe use a 500k tone control for the bridge.

PS: Many of the hum-cancelling single coils from Dimarzio have ALnico 2 mangets. Although I haven't tried all of them, I don't think it's ideal for a Strat bridge pickup because they are lower output, have some compression and less brightness. The Duncan STK-S7 uses a stronger Anico 5 magnet, so it avoids having a lot of compression. However there is already some loss of brightness and less "perceived dynamics" due to the hum cancelling coil. It's warmer and smoother than real single coils.