Element combination question

[CatchDude]

Hello,

I own an Ibanez SA160 and I am replacing it's elements. It's quite a bright instrument and I want it to have more punch in the bottom, but still be able to play in my genre; That being Rock and Roll, rock, blues etc from the 60's and up. It's not really the guitar for it, but since i'm saving up to buy another one in about a year, for now I have to do with some new elements.

The guitar has a SC-SC-HB layout, with the humbucker in the bridge.

Allready I installed a SSL-1 Vintage staggered in the neck position.

For the middle i'm interested in a SL59-1 Little '59 for Strat and for the bridge humbucker i'm thinking of a SH-1 ‘59. How about that combination? I'm a bit confused about the DC resistance and all, the little 59 seemingly has a higher output then the SH-59 humbucker. Does that matter? Because I read once that you should build up the output from low to high from neck to bridge.

And is it a do or a don't to put the true single coil SSL-1 vintage in the middle, the little 59 in the neck and the SH-1 '59 in the bridge, or should i look for other combinations or elements? The SSL1 definately stays because I love that sound although it's not very powerfull in the low area. Any experts out there, help! There's so much information on this website I can't figure out what to do anymore!

Thanks!

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Element combination question

It's true that the lil 59 has a higher DC resistance but it's also sensing a smaller portion of the string so it will have less bass and the same to maybe less overall output than the full size 59.

My own rule of thumb on a Strat is to put your weakest and/or brightest pickup in the middle position to maximize the cluck tones, and a fairly strong (not TOO strong) pu in the neck for SRV-like beef. So in your case, I'd go with the Lil 59 in the neck.

 

[CatchDude]

Re: Element combination question

Thanks for the tip! If I get it right you'd go for:

-Neck: Lil' 59 SC sized HB
-Middle: SSL1 Vintage staggered Single Coil
-Bridge: Sh 59 Humbucker

Doesn't it matter that the 59 and the lil' 59 are a humbuckers/SC sized humbucker and the SSL1 is a good old single coil? I mean, wouldn't it be killed by the other 2 when switched together with the bridge or neck position?

Can you tell me the reason to put the weakest/highest element in the middle position?

Or do you maybe suggest other pu's altogether? As I just started searching, I'm open to suggestions.

 

[CatchDude]

Re: Element combination question

Uhm, hello? A little help please! :newangel:

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Element combination question

There isn't a problem putting humbuckers and single coils in the same guitar. There will be no cancellation. You will get a little bit of hum when using the single coil with one of the other pickups, but not as much as the single coil by itself.

The reason I like the weakest pu in the middle was more or less explained above. But a weaker, more vintage wind (about 6.0k) pickup will have a higher resonant peak, meaning it will have a more chime-like treble which helps a lot with those #2 and #4 position cluck tones.

One thing I recommend is a vintage wind with a stronger magnet, namely Alnico 5, which has some extra top end that will add to the chimey quality. Duncan probably makes something like that but if not, a Fender Fat 50's (6.3k) will do the trick.

 

[CatchDude]

Re: Element combination question

Hey, thanks for the advice!

I did some more reading and such, and I decided on going for the following combination:
Neck: Lil' 59
Middle: SSL-1
Bridge: SH-14 Custom 5

I'm going for the Sh-14 instead of the '59 humbucker because the 14 has a little more output and supposedly has more 'oomph'.

Cheers!

 

[octavedoctor]

Re: Element combination question

You will get a little bit of hum when using the single coil with one of the other pickups, but not as much as the single coil by itself.

Because of this it is a common practice to split the humbuckers when in circuit with the single coil to create a noise cancelling pair in the combination positions. This can be done quite easily with a standard Fender 5-way.

 

[octavedoctor]

Re: Element combination question

The reason I like the weakest pu in the middle was more or less explained above. But a weaker, more vintage wind (about 6.0k) pickup will have a higher resonant peak, meaning it will have a more chime-like treble which helps a lot with those #2 and #4 position cluck tones.

i like this philosophy. i once fitted a set of Dimarzio Virtual Vintage so a customer's guitar and put a Solo in the bridge position, a heavy blues in the neck and a 2.1 in the middle. It sounded amazing!

 

[CatchDude]

Re: Element combination question

Allright! I'm going to look for those hum cancelling schematics then! Thanks!