Dual humbucker recommendation for Mahogany SuperStrat

[Anficht]

Hi guys,

I'm building a SuperStrat-style guitar out of USACG parts. It's kind of an experiment, as the Strat is a hardtail, with dual humbuckers, nontraditional woods and a short scale. I'd need some recommendations for the 2 humbuckers in the neck and bridge position.

Guitar specs are:
body: 1-piece Honduran Mahogany body at 4lbs
neck: 24-3/4" (Gibson scale) 2-piece Maple/Maple neck
Callaham fixed hardtail vintage bridge, 3-way switch with 3x 500k electronics

Amp is a JCM800 clone and PODHD and Elevenrack for recording.

Special emphasis on overdriven/distorted solo-playing. I frequently use the neck humbucker for soloing. Basically anything that will sound balanced, full etc. in this guitar and will cover a wide range of tones form BluesRock to HardRock. (No really heavy stuff, but no country or Pop either).

Any suggestions will help me to start off with this project.

Thanks!

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Dual humbucker recommendation for Mahogany SuperStrat

Tough question, because of a lot of variables.

Bridge: Custom5 (i dont like it clean, but with mahogany with a full blown Marshall its a breeze!) or Screaming Demon

Neck: 59 neck or Full Shred neck

 

[BrianS.]

Re: Dual humbucker recommendation for Mahogany SuperStrat

Pearly Gates in the neck position.

I have a '59 in the bridge that I really like, but I'm sure there are a lot of options there.

I really can't imagine using anything but a PG in the neck anymore. It's got to be in the top 5 best neck position pickups ever.

 

[84camarofreak]

Re: Dual humbucker recommendation for Mahogany SuperStrat

I have a mahogany strat myself. It's normal fender scale. Put screamin demon in the bridge with a jazz neck. They're perfect. Cover all the ground you mentioned IMO.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Dual humbucker recommendation for Mahogany SuperStrat

A pair of 59's would do nicely. If you want a little more versatility you could coil tap them.

 

[Varg]

Re: Dual humbucker recommendation for Mahogany SuperStrat

Pair of 59s sounds good to me.

 

[youngthrasher9]

Re: Dual humbucker recommendation for Mahogany SuperStrat

With an amp that really push out the power like that, go for a pair of '59's. Also consider a custom for the bridge.

 

[Anficht]

Re: Dual humbucker recommendation for Mahogany SuperStrat

Thanks for all the answers so far.

So right now we have:

bridge: 59B, Custom, Custom5 and Screaming Demon
neck: 59N, JazzN and PGn

What do you think will the guitar sound like with the Hondo body and short scale Maple neck? Balanced or more in the "warm" or middier territory?

I'm a bit concerned that the Custom5 will be a bit too scooped in the mids. Or the Demon, which might be too bright? (just guessing here)

Also, why no suggestion for a PGb in the bridge? Or how about the Slash pickup set? (just throwing out ideas in hope for your expertise)

 

[youngthrasher9]

Re: Dual humbucker recommendation for Mahogany SuperStrat

The slash set lacks bridge tone for your uses so I've heard. The neck pickup excellent I've heard, though.

 

[jbear]

Re: Dual humbucker recommendation for Mahogany SuperStrat

My choices...a pair of 59's...even better...old double-screw 59s! I have these in my Double Fat...amazing! Of course that's an alder body/RW. Also in an AS 103 semi...again...killer (maple/rw).
Other favorites...a pair of vintage Ibanez Super 58s. I have them in an 81 Ibanez Artist (mahogany/rw) and a Fender Esprit...mahogany as well (rw)...love these.
So...that's my input.
Oh yeah...Seth's...can't go wrong with those either. A pair in a Ibanez AK100 (175-style) that's maple/RW and in an Eastman 165 (solid mahogany/ebony bioard)...a bit tamer than the other two choices but just as much character.
Playing these though tubes (84's and 6's) from clean to moderate gain...nothing metal-ee.
One thing to be aware of...balance. I put a 59n/PGb in a vintage Ibanez AS80. It sounds fantastic, but the neck PUP is much louder than the bridge, so I have to be very aware of my volume knobs when I playing this one. I was reminded of that last Friday when I grabbed that guitar for the first time in months. I lowered the neck as low as it can go (actually dumped it into the cavity and had to fish it out and remount...what a pain). Gonna try raising the bridge PUP next, but too high and it gets in the way of my pick. I can manage...but it is food for thought.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Dual humbucker recommendation for Mahogany SuperStrat

Another thought is the PATB 3 in the bridge, plus the PATB1n model paired with it. the bridge will give great tones, fat but not compressed, cleans are wonderful too but can handle high gain amps better than most. PATB1n is incredible - great PAF tones and well balanced

 

[post toastie]

Re: Dual humbucker recommendation for Mahogany SuperStrat

Thanks for all the answers so far.

So right now we have:

bridge: 59B, Custom, Custom5 and Screaming Demon
neck: 59N, JazzN and PGn

What do you think will the guitar sound like with the Hondo body and short scale Maple neck? Balanced or more in the "warm" or middier territory?

I'm a bit concerned that the Custom5 will be a bit too scooped in the mids. Or the Demon, which might be too bright? (just guessing here)

Also, why no suggestion for a PGb in the bridge? Or how about the Slash pickup set? (just throwing out ideas in hope for your expertise)

don't forget the Full Shred neck.

 

[Ascension]

Re: Dual humbucker recommendation for Mahogany SuperStrat

Mine would be the set up I have in my all Mahogany WM24 Washburn.
Alnico II neck fatter smoother and sweeter than the 59, Jazz or PG is almost acoustic like clean but has a big fat singing solo tone.
Custom Custom bridge big warm and sweet cleans up nicely with the volume control and absolutely SINGS in the solo voice. A little loose in the bottom for palm muted metal chugging but for anything less is killer + the tonal and output match with the Alnico II is perfect!
I run a 1990 MK III JCM 900 Dual Master at Church no clean no verb just pure tube Marshall tone and the Washy with this set up through that rig is an absolute killer!!

 

[atreidesheir]

Re: Dual humbucker recommendation for Mahogany SuperStrat

All great suggestions.
I like a stock Custom for bridge in all Mahogany short scale.
Think Davey Johnstone from Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding on Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow brick Road" and sounds good clean with the volume on 7.

 

[kjrocks]

Dual humbucker recommendation for Mahogany SuperStrat

Jazz set

 

[AudioWonderland]

Re: Dual humbucker recommendation for Mahogany SuperStrat

I like the Dimarzio Breed in the bridge of my mahogany strat. A 59 is usually bullet proof though as well. I pretty much always like a PG neck pickup.