Duncans on a Double Humbucker Strat

[neuroblade]

I have decided to put Seymour Duncans on my American Series Fender Strat HH. I play mostly rock-n-roll, blues, metal, and classical. Any suggestions for neck and bridge pickups would be helpful. Since my guitar has the S-1 switching, will the Seymour Duncans allow the multiple pick up configurations like the original pickups?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Duncans on a Double Humbucker Strat

In a Strat set up for blues and vintage output I've always liked a Jazz neck or 59 neck with the bridge 59 being a Trembucker. But I've really started liking the Pearly Gates and last year I tried a Pearly Gates neck with my 59 Trembucker and that's what I'm using now.

A Jazz neck, 59 neck or PG neck and a JB bridge pickup is excellant too. Plus, the JB has really good split coil tones if you want to do that.

The JB gives a little more output and easier overdrive from the bridge pickup than the 59B or 59TB, while the Jazz neck or PG neck maintains a clearish tone for chords from the neck pickup.

The Jazz neck has more highs and more bass. The PG neck has plenty of highs and mids but a little less bass than the Jazz N which helps me maintain a clear tone for chords at higher, live performance volumes.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Duncans on a Double Humbucker Strat

i used a pg set in a double fat strat for a while. great set up, warm neck tones with nice cut and great bridge tones with a nice growl. more mids than a 59 but less bass

 

[neuroblade]

Re: Duncans on a Double Humbucker Strat

I am considering the Jazz neck, and JB or Custom bridge. Do either bridge choices work well with the Jazz neck? I have not ruled out the PG yet. My earlier message I never mentioned I have a rosewood fretboard. It is difficult to determine the right choice without trialing.

 

[Shredder]

Re: Duncans on a Double Humbucker Strat

Nueroblade,

I installed a tb-6 Duncan Distortion in my son's double fat with a sh-2n Jazz in the neck. I can't tell you how pleased I am with this set-up. The DD is a really hot pickup and sounds dirty even on the cleanest of channels but has a great range of distortion tones for heavy rock to metal. The Jazz just screams for someone to play "Little Wing" on it- this is the best of both worlds.

 

[neuroblade]

Re: Duncans on a Double Humbucker Strat

Shredder,

I have listened to all the sound clips a bazillion times now. I really like the distortion/bridge and jazz/neck combo. It's still a toss up between the custom and the distortion, but I think the distortion sounds a little less shrilly. It really has a lot to do with the amp as well. What type of music does your son play?

 

[Shredder]

Re: Duncans on a Double Humbucker Strat

Neuroblade,

My son plays I variety of rock, mostly Metallica and the like. However, he also likes to play the Beatles, Led Zep, etc. He plays through one of the less expensive Marshall combos (a MGD100DX). This is the reason I chose the setup that I did. Hopefully soon I'll set him up on a JCM to bring out the full tone of the Duncans.

I had the same delima as you- I couldn't decide between the Custom or The DD either. The reason I went with the DD was simple- I just followed the advice of the guys on this board. As you can see, I , like yourself, am a "junior member." I realize that the choices can be overwhelming. I have purchased three SD pickups in my life: the aforementioned DD/Jazz and Duncan Basslines Quarter Pounder for my P-Bass and I have been pleased with them all. Having never owned a custom, I really can't tell you one way or another. My only advice is to listen to what the more experienced "tonemasters" on this board have to say. However, I have a feeling that either way you go you won't be disappointed. Playing through the Jazz the first time is a wonderful experience.

Good Luck,

Shredder