Dimarzio HS-3 for middle position?

[appar111]

I'm putting together a strat for the first time in a while and I just scored an older Dimarzio HS-3 for a great price.

I'm hoping it will sound good in the middle position combined in the 2 & 4 positions for cleaner stuff, or just by itself for those times when things are gained out and I'm digging in without a pick.

The guitar in question is maple neck & fretboard and a lightweight swamp ash body with vintage strat bridge. Bridge pickup will be a Dimarzio SDS-1, and the neck position either a Pro Track or a Li'l 59 neck.

Has anyone here use it for the middle position, either by itself or combined w/ neck & bridge pickups?

My amp is a tweed bassman and my dirt is just a couple simple Boss pedals.

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: Dimarzio HS-3 for middle position?

I think you'll dig it. I put one in my buddy's HSS MIM between a Air Norton S and a TZ about a month ago. He's loving it for a nice clean single coily option. Great pickup it be.

 

[appar111]

Re: Dimarzio HS-3 for middle position?

I'm also wondering how it might fare in the bridge position w/ a 500K pot and a tone knob hooked up to it. I believe Yngwie when he used them had a 250K volume pot and none of the pickups were hooked up to the tone pots.

I could always try it, and put the SDS-1 in the middle position. Since I don't use strats, it might be nice to have a middle pickup that rocks on its own and doesn't need to play nice w/ the other pickups, volume-wise....

 

[zenmindbeginner]

Re: Dimarzio HS-3 for middle position?

You also get the added advantage of lowering the middle pickups height a great bit and still getting useable gain levels by having a high output middle pickup. I hate when the middle pup gets in the way of my picking, having it really low in the pickguard remedies that problem quite well.

 

[LReese]

Re: Dimarzio HS-3 for middle position?

HS-3 is not a high output pickup. If you used it in single coil mode (top coil only), output might be substantial. As far as getting a good combo sound, best thing to do is try it.

As I remember it was a very blah sounding pickup (All stacks I tried from the '80s seemed that way to me - nature of the beast). Not saying that to be negative, I think that would benefit use in a higher gain setting (i roll treble/presence off everything when using distortion/overdrive) which the HS3 was apparently built for.

I have heard some stack setups that sounded absolutely fab - they just havent worked for me.

The 500K pot will make it brighter, the tone knob will negate a little of the brightness but only slightly vs the 250K volume only setup.

 

[appar111]

Re: Dimarzio HS-3 for middle position?

zenmindbeginner-
If I stick the SDS-1 in the middle, I won't be able to lower it very far, as the darned pickup is so tall to begin with! This warmoth body routed for SSS must contemplate regular strat single coils, as the pickup rout depth doesn't seem very deep w/ stacked pickups. Still, from my limited time using strats I hate a low output middle pickup (and low output neck pickups in general on all guitars). So maybe the SDS-1 will be a cool, yet atypical option for the middle position.

LReese-
I think I might actually try the HS3 in the bridge first. If it's too bright, I'll hook it up to the tone knob. If it's still too bright, I'll just dial the tone knob down . If it's too low output in stacked mode, I'll do single coil mode for a little more output. In the bridge position I'll be using it really gained out, so it might work best there.

If it's too bland overall, I'll just stick it in the middle position (as originally planned) since that slot gets used so rarely by me anyway!

 

[xntrick]

Re: Dimarzio HS-3 for middle position?

i had the HS3 in the bridge and it just didn't have enough balls for my taste, it sounds killer in the neck position. I ended up using a Tone Zone in the bridge position.

 

[appar111]

Re: Dimarzio HS-3 for middle position?

i had the HS3 in the bridge and it just didn't have enough balls for my taste, it sounds killer in the neck position. I ended up using a Tone Zone in the bridge position.

Wow, TZ in the bridge and HS3 at the neck-- wasn't there a huge volume imbalance? Although if you play w/ alot of gain, I know the output difference isn't supposed to be as apparent.

 

[xntrick]

Re: Dimarzio HS-3 for middle position?

Wow, TZ in the bridge and HS3 at the neck-- wasn't there a huge volume imbalance? Although if you play w/ alot of gain, I know the output difference isn't supposed to be as apparent.

there certainly is, but i have the neck pickup very close to the strings so it is not as noticable...

 

[zenmindbeginner]

Re: Dimarzio HS-3 for middle position?

zenmindbeginner-
If I stick the SDS-1 in the middle, I won't be able to lower it very far, as the darned pickup is so tall to begin with! This warmoth body routed for SSS must contemplate regular strat single coils, as the pickup rout depth doesn't seem very deep w/ stacked pickups. Still, from my limited time using strats I hate a low output middle pickup (and low output neck pickups in general on all guitars). So maybe the SDS-1 will be a cool, yet atypical option for the middle position.

You can always route out some extra depth to the cavities... will need re-shielding probably but lower single coil routes are always good.

Yeah, I was always under the impression that the HS-3 was high output with it's 23K DC resistance... I didn't realize it was considered low output!?!?

 

[xntrick]

Re: Dimarzio HS-3 for middle position?

You can always route out some extra depth to the cavities... will need re-shielding probably but lower single coil routes are always good.

Yeah, I was always under the impression that the HS-3 was high output with it's 23K DC resistance... I didn't realize it was considered low output!?!?

the output on the HS-3 is only 93.

the resistance on the Virtual Solo is 11.17 DC yet the Output is mV: 205.

kind of confusing if you ask me...

 

[LReese]

Re: Dimarzio HS-3 for middle position?

Ohms does not an output make.

That Other Brand's output comparision

 

[appar111]

Re: Dimarzio HS-3 for middle position?

Just found this comparison between SDS-1, Fred, Tone Zone, Super D and HS-3:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ0orH_Lo84

Differences, sure, but not as huge of a difference between the SDS-1 and the HS-3 as what I would've thought. Of course, no way of knowing if the amp volume was adjusted, etc. in between takes either.

But still, it sounds like either way, the HS-3 or the SDS-1 would rock in the bridge.

Now, for a neck pickup.... I think the Pro Track would be a good choice. Medium output, so paired with the HS-3 and SDS-1, they would all perform adequately in all positions. I could play around with them in diff positions and tweak pickup height until I get something that works for me.

EDIT:
and here's a clip I found of the HS-3, sounds like most of it was done in the bridge position (and bridge+middle for the funkier clean stuff):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Wka527nQFQ

Sounds to me like it'll do just fine in the bridge position!

 

[arellanon]

Re: Dimarzio HS-3 for middle position?

I have a Carvin DC135 and it uses a SSS pup configuration like a Strat. The pups are mounted directly into the body with no pickguard.

Here is a shot of the guitar with an HS-2 in the neck, an SDS-1 in the middle, and an HS-3 in the bridge. You can see just how much the SDS-1 is taller than the HS-3 and HS-2; in fact the HS-2 was raised a little as well as the HS-3 while the SDS-1 was slammed all the way down as to not get in the way of my picking. It still got in the way. lol. BTW, the SDS-1 totally out-muscled the HS pups; the difference in volume was very disturbing as a matter of fact. I mean, I felt I had a darn full sized humbucker in the middle position! Plus, that guy is really noisy! I was left really impressed with the muscle it provides but decided to leave out for some other time.

This following picture is on with the HS-2 in the neck with HS-3s in the middle and bridge.

I LOVE they way the three single coils look; decided not to include rails. Unfortunately I had only HS pups available and those are very weak in terms of output relative to other pups. The HS-2 in the neck is, quite frankly, very loud and versatile; I keep it high as possible and has no problem dealing with volume and tone changes. In fact it works equally well with least treble or max treble. I highly recommend it for the neck over the HS-3. The HS-3 in the bridge sounds ok. Nothing to brag about I guess. It sounded kinda harsh to be honest but at least it was controllable with the tone knob.

Now the real problem child was the middle HS-3. Now I don't know if it's due to its age (I purchased it in 2003) but slammed all the way down to the guitar body it sounded very, very weak. I mean pathetic weak. Weak to the point I felt like just disconnecting the darn thing and getting a three way switch instead of the five way to just use the bridge and neck pups. I tried to wire it in parallel but then it sounded just as bad or worse. I then wired it in single coil and actually got more output from it. It sounded really good to be honest and was happy with it. But eventually I decided to try out DiMarzio's highest output stacked humbuckers: the Virtual Vintage Heavy Blues II and the Virtual Solo. I then wired the guitar with the HS-2 in the neck (this guy is not going anywhere BTW), the Virtual Solo in the middle (gotta put the highest output pup in the middle since I will be slamming it down low), and the Virtual Vintage Heavy Blues II in the bridge (first time I use an Alnico II pup):

Now the guitar sounds great! The HS-2 is just fantastic; I can live with just this pickup on the guitar. The Virtual Solo actually gives a good output for being so slammed hence giving me a true three pup sounding guitar. The VVHBII sounds somewhat harsh like it's predecessor HS-3 at the bridge BUT with more power and dynamics; it has more balls and I think it can be used to complement the other two pups well. I like the fact that the Virtual Solo sounds somewhat like a humbucker so it has a very distinct sound to the other two stacked pups.

I'm putting together a strat for the first time in a while and I just scored an older Dimarzio HS-3 for a great price.

I'm hoping it will sound good in the middle position combined in the 2 & 4 positions for cleaner stuff, or just by itself for those times when things are gained out and I'm digging in without a pick.

The guitar in question is maple neck & fretboard and a lightweight swamp ash body with vintage strat bridge. Bridge pickup will be a Dimarzio SDS-1, and the neck position either a Pro Track or a Li'l 59 neck.

Has anyone here use it for the middle position, either by itself or combined w/ neck & bridge pickups?

My amp is a tweed bassman and my dirt is just a couple simple Boss pedals.

OP: I think the SDS-1 can be a very usable pup. Check out this thread. It has a lot of good input from idsnowdog and was started by zack_speed:

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=221953&highlight=SDS-1

It shows you how to shield the SDS-1 and make it more quiet. I have yet to try it myself but one day I'll give it a shot.

The pup combo you mention will give you three distinct sounds so your axe will be capable of covering much ground. The only thing I would recommend is for you to not include the HS-3 in the middle; it's too weak to generate a good output unless it is close to the strings. Unless you don't mind having a high middle pup then I guess it would be ok; I can't live with a high middle pup so it did not work for me.

My Strat had an SSL-5L in the bridge, a Cool Rails in the middle, and an HS-3 in the neck and it sounded just fine; proof that a single coil in the bridge can indeed work!

:bigok:

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: Dimarzio HS-3 for middle position?

That Carvin is hot dude!

 

[arellanon]

Re: Dimarzio HS-3 for middle position?

That Carvin is hot dude!

Thanks dude.

 

[appar111]

Re: Dimarzio HS-3 for middle position?

Well, I started off trying both the HS-3 and the SDS-1 in the neck position on the beater strat. HS-3 was ok, SDS-1 was great-- beefy, big, but just a bit too bassy. Tried them both in the bridge position, and the HS-3 wasn't too bad, just not enough output without an overdrive pedal pushing my distortion pedal. SDS-1 sounded good, but the hum might be a bit much for me since I use the bridge position alot.

Middle position, HS-3 didn't sound good--- too low output, you were right. But the SDS-1 in the middle really rocks! Since it's closer to the bridge, the amount of bass it puts out is great. Nice to have a middle pickup that has some cahones.

I took an Injector neck pickup out of my tele and decided I'd use it for the neck pickup on this strat build since I know it has enough output and I like the sound of it. So now I've got a tele with no neck pickup... what to do? So I slapped the HS-3 in it. HS-3 sounds great in this tele! I raised the pickup height a little more, and it sounded even better than the Injector did. Matches up great w/ a Dimarzio PAF at the bridge. Not saying the HS-3 is a better pickup than the Injector, but for this guitar, it's a great fit.

So for the strat, it'll be:

Injector - neck position
SDS-1 - middle position
??? - bridge position

Right now it'll either be a Super Distortion S, Fast Track 2, Pro Track or Chopper. Super D is always a safe choice. FT2 should rock hard too, probably akin to a Duncan Hot Rails(?). Pro Track sounds awesome in the neck, might sound just as good in the bridge and would be a great all-arounder. Chopper would have a little more high end, thus sounding a little strattier than the other choices..


thanks for all the advice guys!

 

[zenmindbeginner]

Re: Dimarzio HS-3 for middle position?

I vote for the Heavy Blues 2.

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: Dimarzio HS-3 for middle position?

The VVHB2 is pretty sweet. I have it in the middle of a HSH mahog super strat and love it. Great cleans but also loves hi gain. Cool pup.

 

[arellanon]

Re: Dimarzio HS-3 for middle position?

Well, I started off trying both the HS-3 and the SDS-1 in the neck position on the beater strat. HS-3 was ok, SDS-1 was great-- beefy, big, but just a bit too bassy. Tried them both in the bridge position, and the HS-3 wasn't too bad, just not enough output without an overdrive pedal pushing my distortion pedal. SDS-1 sounded good, but the hum might be a bit much for me since I use the bridge position alot.

Middle position, HS-3 didn't sound good--- too low output, you were right. But the SDS-1 in the middle really rocks! Since it's closer to the bridge, the amount of bass it puts out is great. Nice to have a middle pickup that has some cahones.

I took an Injector neck pickup out of my tele and decided I'd use it for the neck pickup on this strat build since I know it has enough output and I like the sound of it. So now I've got a tele with no neck pickup... what to do? So I slapped the HS-3 in it. HS-3 sounds great in this tele! I raised the pickup height a little more, and it sounded even better than the Injector did. Matches up great w/ a Dimarzio PAF at the bridge. Not saying the HS-3 is a better pickup than the Injector, but for this guitar, it's a great fit.

So for the strat, it'll be:

Injector - neck position
SDS-1 - middle position
??? - bridge position

Right now it'll either be a Super Distortion S, Fast Track 2, Pro Track or Chopper. Super D is always a safe choice. FT2 should rock hard too, probably akin to a Duncan Hot Rails(?). Pro Track sounds awesome in the neck, might sound just as good in the bridge and would be a great all-arounder. Chopper would have a little more high end, thus sounding a little strattier than the other choices..


thanks for all the advice guys!

Yeah I kinda anticipated the HS-3 to be rather quiet at the middle. Meanwhile, the darn SDS-1 is a powerhouse in the middle! I think you have figured that out though. :headbang:

For bridge I like the VVHBII; it's strong enough to warrant a shot at the bridge position. It has a somewhat middy sound to it with a pinch of top end; it seems most DiMarzios inherit this, lol. The magnet poles are staggered unlike the HS series; check out the bottom blue pup. Physically the pup is also heavier. But not as heavy as the SDS-1; that guy is as heavy as a humbucker!

I too had the an HS-3 in the neck of a Telecaster. I decided to replace it with a Hot Stack neck for Strat with a Hot Stack bridge for Tele. The guitar sounds really good now.

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